SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT

D0 YOU have any birds that can talk?" The easy answer is: "Yes. Let me show you an African gray." But we all know it's not that simple.

It makes sense that a bird as widely recognized for its talking ability and innate intelligence would be a great pet, but with this species it's more about finding the right owner.

With smarts comes boredom, which could lead to feather-plucking. And with the ability to talk comes the ability to annoy and even infuriate the unsuspecting owner. When it comes to matching up greys and owners, it's best to start from the beginning.

There are two sub-species of African grey: the Congo and the timneh. Congos (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) are a lighter shade of gray and have solid red covert feathers, compared to timnehs (P.e. timneh) with a dark gray body and maroon-colored covert feathers. Timnehs are about 9 inches long, and Congos are about 13 inches. But with African greys, it's not really about their looks. It has more to do with the fact that you could call on them for your phone-a-friend lifeline.

Timnehs have a dark gray body and maroon covert feathers.

Congo African greys have lighter grey feathers and solid red covert feathers.

Maybe that's taking it too far, but greys are one of the most documented birds when it comes to intelligence. Under optimal conditions, they can count, identify colors and shapes, express emotions through language and even show a sense of humor.

The flipside of their brilliance is the fact that they can be prone to feather-plucking, biting, screaming and bonding to one person. This is where your role in matching birds and owners becomes so important, because these traits certainly are not inevitable.

Greys are prone to vitamin A deficiency, which can be recognized by frequent respiratory infections, scaliness on the feet and beak, and poor plumage.

The Ideal Grey Owner

To responsibly sell an African grey, you need to prescreen. You may even want to create a questionnaire.

To prevent plucking, a grey owner should be a non-smoker, have a calm and patient demeanor, and be willing to buy new toys often and have ample time to interact with the bird. Along with a willingness to learn about parrot behavior and training, these traits will also help limit biting and screaming.

The household should be a generally peaceful and quiet one, probably without boisterous and tactile children. Retired people and people who work at home can usually give the grey the attention it needs.

People who have owned birds before are also desirable. To keep the bird from growing attached to only one person, encourage the owner to have other family members participate in general care and speak to and pet the bird frequently.

Recommended readings include The African Grey Parrot Handbook by Mattie Sue Athan and Dianalee Deter (Barron's Educational Series Inc., 2000), The Alex Studies by Dr. Irene Pepperberg (Harvard University Press, 2000) and Complete Guide to African Grey Parrots by Pamela Hutchinson (Silvio Mattacchione & Co., 1999).

Nutrition Needs

Show your customers the pelleted and formulated diets that are specifically manufactured for African greys, but encourage them to also talk with an avian veterinarian for advice on their individual birds.

Every bird is different, so a veterinarian may recommend an increase in vegetables, adding seed to the diet, or possibly offering a vitamin or mineral supplement. Hand-held food treats can provide nutrients and exercise, so be sure to point those out to the customer, too.

 First up is the cage.

When a customer has just committed to spending a thousand dollars on the bird, it may be tough to turnaround and sell them your highest quality, largest cage meant for greys. But they have to know it's to protect their initial investment, and it wouldn't be fair to their new family member any other way. Be willing to hold off on the sale if it means special-ordering a better suited cage, since it can be difficult to stock a variety of several large cages.

Food and water dishes can be a challenge with greys. Customers may see that a cage comes with built-in dishes, but if they aren't grey-proof, they will need to buy the sturdy lock-down dishes that attach to the cage bars. Also essential are several perches of different materials and diameters, as well as a cage cover to ensure the grey can get a sound night's sleep.

Finally, it's toys galore. Explain the importance of rotating a variety of toys weekly, including wooden toys that can be demolished and cotton-rope toys that can be preened. There are even puzzle-type toys designed with greys in mind. Some have treats inside, others are just meant to be taken apart and put back together.

Health Concerns

Give your customer a list of certified avian veterinarians in your area for an initial check-up that should take place within a few days of purchase. This protects both you and the customer should any illnesses be detected through diagnostic testing.

Greys are prone to vitamin A deficiency, which can be recognized by frequent respiratory infections, scaliness on the feet and beak, and poor plumage. Care by a veterinarian is essential, because over-supplementation can be toxic.

Though the causes of feather-plucking are often behavioral, they can also be medical. Plucking can be the result of dry air, exposure to cigarette smoke or other toxins, a tumor below the surface of the skin, lead or zinc poisoning, or malnutrition.

 AFRICAN GREY BASICS

• Get a recommendation for an avian veterinarian close to your home. Take the bird for an initial check-up within a few days of bringing it home, and always keep the veterinarian's phone number in a place where any family member could find it.
• Be sure to have your grey's wings trimmed regularly. It's the number 1 thing to keep your bird safe in your home, as well as keeping it safe from escaping through an open door or window.
• Talk to your bird's veterinarian about developing a varied diet with a pelleted or formulated food as a base, supplemented with vegetables, healthy human foods and some seeds.
• A large cage is the foundation for a healthy and active life.
• Read all you can about parrot behavior. The more you understand your grey, the happier you both will be.
• Most parrots do better with 10 to 12 hours of sleep each night.
• Because African greys are such intelligent birds, it's essential to interact with them verbally and physically every day. Talk to them often, and be sure they spend time outside the cage whenever you are there to supervise them.
• A portable playgym is a great way to offer your grey different surroundings and time, outside the cage.
• Keep your grey stimulated by rotating a number of safe and colorful toys in and out of the cage.
• All parrots have very sensitive respiratory systems. Non-stick cookware, self-cleaning ovens, aerosol sprays, scented candles and room deodorizers could potentially kill your bird. Use these items only under well ventilated conditions, if you risk using them at all.

Reprinted by Pretty Birds from Pet Product News by Angelia  Davids

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