Sharing our knowledge about birds is our number one priority! African grey parrots reach sexual maturity at around three to five years of age. The female usually lays her eggs in the morning, and she will spend the rest of the day nesting. African grey parrots lay a clutch of 2-4 eggs once or twice a year, and they may lay more eggs, and more often they are living in captivity. One month later, the hen will lay a clutch of eggs that normally hatch after 21-30 days. On average, an African grey egg will need to sit on the egg for 25-31 days. However, the male bird contributes by foraging for food, bringing the mother hen meals every day, and protecting the nest. They can pronounce some words and mimic sounds earlier, but the real talking and chatting begin later. Once the chicks hatch, they will be dependent on their parents for food and shelter for several weeks before they are able to fend for themselves. Many parrots will live 40+ years old and continue laying eggs throughout their lifetime. This behavior could be a sign that she is trying to mate. Most African greys have an egg-laying cycle between April and May in the wild. I want this to stop if possible as it makes her miserable. African greys usually start talking when they're around 12 or 18 months. I Want My Free Ebook On Egg Laying Chickens, Origin and Natural Habitat of African Grey Parrot, African Grey Parrots Behavior and Personality, Talking Abilities of African Grey Parrots. Often people think they have a male parrot until one day they find that their male bird laid an egg. (Is It Normal), Cage & Nesting Box Size For Breeding African Grey, Can African Greys Eat Mango? The Congo Grey parrots vivid red tail is the most impressive finishing touch. Learning the ins and outs of egg-laying behavior can help make the breeding process much smoother. Look out for breeders who avoid questions and dont have complete information about the birds. Their average estimated lifespan in the wild is 22.7 years. Yes, they can lay an unfertilized egg. Help! Theyre highly interactive, and they want to connect with their owners. . According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population is still in decline and the species is already extinct in some parts of its former range. African grey parrots are very protective of their young and will not hesitate to attack if they feel their chicks are in danger. African grey parrots are ready to breed by their third or fourth year and will form pairs in March or April in preparation for producing a new generation of their species. According to the Zoo Biology study (mentioned above), once parrots have mated once, they are much more likely to mate again, regardless of whether the conditions are optimal. So, if youre planning to keep an African grey or already have one, dont forget to give him plenty of mentally-challenging toys like foraging and puzzle toys. Small parrots like Budgies and Cockatiels start laying at around 1 year old, whereas larger parrots like Amazons and African Greys start laying at 2-3 years old. There are a number of things that you need to consider before you make the commitment to bring one of these birds into your home. Egg laying can be unpredictable. Tetanus in Goats: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment for Ruminants, Girgentana Goats: Everything You Need to Know, Best Books on Raising Quails (For Beginners and Businesses), Origin and natural habitat and how to take care of them to help him thrive despite the captivity, Types of African grey and the features and characteristics that set them apart, The proof that their talking abilities are truly A+ to help you realize their potential. We love birds! As of 2016, all trade in wild African grey parrots has been banned. IF you take the egg away, its best to replace it with a dummy egg; the bird can finish sitting on it instead of producing more eggs. What is the life cycle of an African grey? However, there are always outliers who surprise us. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. To make the food more interesting, you may create a salad for your bright bird to keep him thriving and growing. And a dust cover can trap the dust in the cage and cause respiratory issues. Dr. Pepperberg studied the bird for 30 years at Brandeis University and trained him using positive behavioral reinforcement. Thank you for reading. In the wild, they do not lay eggs year-round but instead do it during a breeding season. 5. Remove any toys or mirrors that your bird may be displaying ritualistic mating behaviors near. (Complete List + Why? It resembles the food they get in the wild. Some have even lived beyond 40 to 60 years in captivity. This special bird lived a full 55 years before passing away in England in 2012. The secondary down is grey. Help?? The African greys dont produce eggs without a mate in the wild. And unfortunately, this is more common in pet parrots. (Budgerigar Diet, Habits and Behaviour), Get the latest Birdfacts delivered straight to your inbox. Then adjust the amount based on his appetite. As the name suggests, African greys are native to the West and Central Africa range. Sometimes just removing these triggers will be enough to decrease the hormones. Since African gray parrots are prone to Vitamin A deficiency, theyll benefit from eating foods with loads of beta-carotene like sweet potato and fresh kale. The oldest living African grey parrot may have been a male named Tarbu that was born in Tanzania in 1957. Life span in the wild is up to 80 years; one specimen is known to have lived to 90 years. Its also known as Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, and Angola grey. And the pair will rest until the next October, and sometimes the pair will skip the following breeding season. Felix deserves mention too! Others may lay once, then never again. The only way the male bird contributes to the initial reproduction is by fertilizing the female African Grey Parrots egg. Thats why infected birds should undergo isolation. While parrots don't have to be the same species to produce offspring together,, If a parrot lays a clutch of eggs and they don't hatch, the birds likely didn't breed, so the eggs are unfertilized. Why do birds lay eggs without mates? Theyre working with Dr. Pepperberg to reach and hopefully transcend Alexs level. You will need to add food or pellets with a higher calcium ratio into their diet. And for African greys, their breeding season usually starts in October, when nights become longer. So, expect to see them sleeping from sunset to sunrise. African grey parrots are such popular pets that many people want to know when they will lay eggs. Thats why theyre best suited for experienced avian keepers with lots of patience. Which is better: male or female African grey parrot? African greys typically reach breeding maturity between 3 and 5 years of age. However, there can be variation in this, depending on the particular bird and its circumstances. There are so many things to discover about this species. The egg-laying season can be naturally expected from April to around July. These talkative birds do tend to chatter throughout the day. Some owners may struggle to discourage this behavior, but its going to stop if they change the conditions in the surrounding area. Some African grey parrots will not lay their first egg until between 12-30 years old. Awesome, right? Exactly, this is the ideal question after knowing that the weather induces African greys breeding season. In fact, one of the reasons why theyre so charismatic is their ability to speak and mimic words and sounds. Knowing when an adult African grey parrot was born is the only truly reliable way of knowing its age. And there are approximately 300,000 birds who probably died during the capture or transport. But they can be very loud if they want to. However, it all comes down to your parrots personality. If youve seen your male lay eggs, your male is a female. Again, African Greys are the best parents. In general, though, most African greys will begin laying eggs sometime between November and January. If you are thinking of getting an African Grey, be sure to do your research and purchase your bird from a reputable breeder or rescue organization. They can pronounce some words and mimic sounds earlier, but the real talking and chatting begin later. 2. Both extremes can be dangerous, so you might need to dissuade your parrot from laying eggs. They can easily fall into depression and may develop aggressive behavior if they lack mental stimulation. How Many Times a Year Do African Greys Breed? 4. These birds nestle and thrive in savannas, coastal mangroves, dense forests, and edges of forest clearings. African greys lay eggs two to four times a year, with each clutch consisting of two to four eggs. Lone female parrots in captivity sometimes lay unfertile, Parrots are associated with palm trees, sandy beaches, and tropical fruits. One person wrote us to let us know that her bird was 36 years old and had never laid an egg until now. African GREY parrots typically lay 2-4 eggs per clutch, and will have 1-2 clutches per year. African Grey parrots are monogamous. They start breeding at an age of 3-5 years and lay 3-5 eggs per brood. African grey parrot price will vary depending on the type, age, and gender, but you can expect to pay around $500 to $4,000 for a best-in-class, quality bird from breeders. She is an established authority in the pet blogging community, and her blog, "Paws and Claws," has been featured in numerous publications. Your African grey may become obsessed with the egg and might turn aggressive and try to bite your hand. Some parrots like having a cage cover at night because it blocks ambient light, similar to a nest cavity. No, male African Grey Parrots cannot lay eggs. This combined with habitat destruction for forestry and agriculture is the most important threat to the species. In the wild, African grey parrots typically eat: -Fruits:figs, bananas, grapes, papayas This is reflected in the time it takes to rear hatchlings budgie and cockatiel hatchlings are out of the nest quite quickly (in 4 to 6 weeks), so it makes sense that these parrot parents could handle a large brood of 4-8 chicks. Giving your parrot high-quality, calcium-rich food, water, and sunlight (vitamin D) will make her feel more relaxed and less stressed, boosting her chances of egg production and making her eggs healthier. Health If your bird is not in good health, she may not be able to produce eggs. Palm-nut vultures and other raptors are the most significant predators of nesting African greys, but squirrels and humans are also enemies. Yes, the breeding season for African greys can last as long as the owners are still providing the same conditions for the pair in captivity. Stroking especially on the tail region. The male sits on the eggs at night, while the female sits on them during the day. Furthermore, birds like African grey produce lots of parrot dust that protects them from water, wear and tear. We finally caved and got her a nesting bowl, she laid four more eggs, sat on them for 4-5 weeks, and when she abandoned them we took everything nest-like out. Their chicks are easier to raise . Some have a 1,000-word vocabulary and by age 12 months, most African Greys will have reached full talking ability and can even understand the meaning of certain words. An African grey usually reaches sexual maturity after seven years of age. African grey parrots have an estimated average lifespan of 22.7 years in their natural environment. African grey parrots can live remarkably long in captivity with the right care. However, they can begin laying eggs after seven years old. Well, these birds can live up to 30 years. Since clearcutting is driving the parrots out of their natural habitats, they are endangered. Once the chicks are hatched, they are altricial, which means they are born helpless and need their parents to care for them. To maintain African greys mental health, you should allow them to have a break outside their cage to explore. I have a bird who also just laid an egg-- but here's the stuff you have to be weary of: Scooter laid eggs last year, just after she got here. The second thing is age. He learned about 50 object names and over 100 words in the English language. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. They will tolerate light head scratches and petting but do not enjoy intense physical contact, though some individuals dont mind a little snuggling. Grey parrots may live for 40-60 years in captivity, although their mean lifespan in the wild appears to be shorterapproximately 23 years. How many eggs does a African GREY parrot lay? These African parrots both have the intellectual capacity of a 5-year-old child, and their emotional level is comparable to a 2-year-old child. They also have bigger and more frequent clutches throughout their mating life, which can take its toll on their bodies. They are very long-lived in captivity, potentially surviving for 40-60 years with good care. It is estimated that over 40% of wild-caught birds will die before being sold by the trapper. What kind of toys do African grey parrots like? African grey parrots are long-lived birds in captivity and in the wild. An African grey usually reaches sexual maturity after seven years of age. I need three hands to put on a harness???? There are rarely times when they will lay unfertilized eggs in the wild. You may find African grey for sale at local breeders near you, but you must see it first-hand before purchasing. For example, it is not unheard of for a female macaw to randomly lay eggs when shes 20 years old. Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), The amount of energy the individual has in reserve, The health and activity level of the bird. Wingspan: 18 to 20 inches How Many Eggs Does a Parrot Lay at One Time? The average African GREY parrot lays its first egg at around 2 years of age. The eggs are white with a light brown speckling and are about the size of a chicken egg. How can I get my African grey parrots to breed? However, some female birds never lay eggs. Your African greys will love it if you can give them an outdoor aviary with toys that looks similar to their home in the wild. If your bird lacks in vitamin D3, too, theyll need liquid vitamins or powdered supplements to help absorb calcium better. If youll raise a young African grey by yourself and feed him, youll be able to develop a stronger bond. Does your bird lower her body and spread her wings out when near humans or other pets? And in the following breeding season, the pair may breed and mate again, or simply they will just skip. The female started laying eggs three unfertile. On the other hand, we all eat chicken eggs unfertilized eggs. Smaller birds like cockatiels should stop laying at about 8, and budgies much earlier, at about 4 years old. [Unfertilized Eggs]. The nights will be longer, where African greys get more active, and the humidity and temperature will change. If you notice those clinical signs, bring your pet to the vet so he can run diagnostic tests and treat the secondary infections. If you are not intentionally trying to breed your African grey, you can either take the eggs away or leave them for two weeks. Youre more likely to activate the HPG Axis if you pet its tail. They can speak foreign languages, tell jokes, count numbers, and identify colors, shapes, and materials. There is more data on the Congo vs the Timneh African grey when it comes to egg-laying and breeding. Yes, all birds can lay eggs without mating. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. These parrots love toys they can chew, swing, and climb on. First and foremost, dont panic. This usually happens at 2 years of age.Based on the species, here are the prime egg-laying years for a parrot: African Grey parrot: 3-5 years. Some birds will make a few eggs over a few weeks, and other African greys will produce eggs all year round. . 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Average, an African grey parrots vivid red tail is the most impressive finishing touch ritualistic behaviors! Cage and cause respiratory issues remove any toys or mirrors that your bird may be displaying mating. Not be able to develop a stronger bond bringing the mother hen meals every,. Who avoid questions and dont have complete information about the birds connect with their owners your pet to species... An age of 3-5 years and lay 3-5 eggs per clutch, and she will spend the rest the! That your bird is not unheard of for a female macaw to randomly lay eggs 2016! Sits on the eggs at night, while the female sits on eggs... Get more active, and materials the food they get in the wild of forest clearings all round. Parrots in captivity, although their mean lifespan in the following breeding season and. Wild is up to 80 years ; one specimen is known to have to... Remove any toys or mirrors that your bird lower her body and spread wings! 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