BUY ARTUU  (AFRICAN GREY PARROT)

african grey breeder near me

The young parrots fledge in 10–12 weeks, though they remain closely associated with their parents for an additional two to three years. During that period they become habituated to the social structure of the flock and learn the meanings of various calls. Young birds are submissive to older flock members.

The African gray is important to the Nigerian Yoruba people. Its tail feathers and image are used in the creation of masks worn during their Gelede social and religious festival. The red coloration of the tail feathers is seen as representative of both menstrual blood and the bright red oil of the oil palm upon which it feeds. The birds’ vocal nature led to their characterization in Yoruba folklore as spies and sentinels.

The African gray remains popular in the pet trade, and many captive breeding programs exist. The species is engaging and intelligent and—because of its social, flocking nature—forms strong attachments to its human caretakers. However, if not properly trained, it can become destructive and aggressive. A balanced diet, including fresh foods, is essential, as are regular sessions of socialization. Neglect and stress can lead to episodes of feather plucking, a damaging neurosis that is challenging to correct. Responsible breeders will not sell young birds until they can feed on their own. After they learn that skill, there exists a roughly two-month window—coincident with wild fledglings’ introduction to the rest of the flock—during which it is best to transfer them to new homes. african grey breeder near me

Anecdotal evidence from those who care for African grays has long suggested that the parrots possess high innate intelligence. American animal behaviourist and psychologist Irene Pepperberg vindicated those observations with her studies of the cognitive abilities of African grays, using a bird named Alex and, later, additional specimens. Alex,