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     I saw my first Congo African Grey 27 years ago, and I have never forgotten the experience.  I walked into a pet store, made eye contact with this bird, and immediately felt as if he was looking straight into my soul.  By the time I was able to afford to have a Grey, and began looking around in my area for a baby, I couldn’t find one that I wanted.  Those I found that were near weaning age were suspicious of me; they weren’t curious about who I was and certainly had no desire to explore any interactions with me.  They seemed neither relaxed nor comfortable in their surroundings.

     Such a bird was not what I wanted, for instinctively I felt that the birds I was meeting did not have what it would take to live successfully in the domestic environment over the long term.  They seemed to have few resources, and appeared to lack any real sense of self upon which they might draw when meeting the challenges that life in captivity can hold.

     That was the beginning of my fascination with this species, and my hunch that we are not doing as good a job with them as we might. I decided at the time that I would breed my own African Grey, and since then I have worked to tease out the thread of truth about Greys, so that I could unravel some of the mystery, and myths, surrounding them for others and myself.

     Today, I specialize in breeding Congo Greys on a small scale.  I also have as companions 8 Greys, 7 Congos and one Timneh.  Four of the seven are birds I raised; four are birds I have rescued who have needed rehabilitation.  I also do behavioral consulting, and have had many Grey owners as clients. 

Emerging Patterns in Captivity

     In dealing with African Greys from all of these perspectives, I’ve come to the conclusion that living with an African Grey can either be a magnificent, joyful experience or a terribly troubling one. And unfortunately, it is a troubling one far more often than it should be, and I find myself more and more concerned about the fate of this species in captivity.

     African Greys are one of the easiest birds to breed, and accordingly are being bred in very large numbers.  An African Grey breeder is almost as easy to find as a budgie breeder.  Further, they remain one of the most sought after parrots in the United States.  Thus, their population is increasing in our country.  In some ways, I find this unfortunate.

     However, there is beginning to be enough anecdotal information about the species that we can begin to see some patterns emerging, patterns which indicate that problems exist in our breeding, rearing and caregiving practices.  Certain health issues are surfacing.  In addition to infectious diseases that are common to Greys, such as aspergillosis or Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), there are also some problems for which the cause isn’t so clear.  Feather picking, which very often has physical causes, has become a widely recognized phenomenon amongst African Greys.  Seizure activity is not uncommon in older Greys or those who experience moderate to severe stress, as during a trip to the veterinarian.  Blindness and cataracts are not uncommon. Calcium deficiencies are seen regularly, as are low vitamin A levels.  And, many adult Greys just don’t look well and further, they look like they don’t feel well; they exhibit pale red, tattered tails, dull feathers, dry and cracking beaks. (An exploration into the possible causes for these physical problems will be covered in Part Two of this article, which will appear in Pet Bird Report Issue #48.)

     African Greys are also becoming known for some typical behavior problems.  Feather picking, also having behavioral causes, is high on this list.  Phobic Greys are seen more and more often. In general Greys, as a species, are often described as “nervous” birds.  Common are the birds who early on entered a “behavioral tunnel”.  This term, so aptly coined by breeder and avian behavior analyst Phoebe Linden, effectively describes what happens so often to so many Greys… Greys who are afraid of new toys, Greys who can’t be taken outdoors, Greys who won’t go to anyone but their owner. None of this is “normal”, nor should it be accepted.  Never should we accept the idea that “this is just the way they are”.  Instead, we need to be engaged in this process of “teasing out the truth” about Greys so that we can improve our breeding and care practices.

What Makes the Difference?

…Abundance Weaning™

     So, let’s take a look at some things that can improve our experiences with our Grey companions. First, the manner in which the Grey baby is raised is critical.  Greys must be Abundance Weaned™ and Abundance Fed (see Abundance Weaning by Phoebe Green Linden, PBR issue #13), thereafter. African Greys are one of the species that fare worst when not weaned by Abundance Weaning methods.  Most baby birds are still weaned today by what is called the “deprivation weaning” method.  This means simply that the babies are fed and weaned on a schedule, and that once they reach a certain age, feedings are dropped at intervals, with the idea that the baby will get hungry enough to eat.  However, being hungry creates an extreme sense of anxiety in baby birds, and many African Greys, because of their innate personality characteristics, become distrustful of their human caregivers when this most basic need for food is not met.

     How can you tell if a bird is being deprivation weaned? One very sure way is to look at the time frames.  Greys fledge, or start to fly, at between 9 to 11 weeks.  We can safely assume that, since this is an instinctive behavior, it is occurring in domestic situations at approximately the same time as it would occur in the wild.  In the wild, after babies fledge, their parents start showing them how to find food.  That is the beginning of food independence.  It could not possibly occur before.  Therefore, if a breeder is weaning Greys at 10, 11 or 12 weeks, it is obviously through “deprivation” methods, rather than according to the babies’ own developmental time frames.  In reality, domestically raised Grey babies cut down on food intake while fledging, needing instead to focus on the challenge of learning to fly and land.  Once these skills are mastered, they then have several more weeks of learning to become completely food independent.

     We might ask ourselves, when then do African Greys normally wean when fed abundantly?  When a baby is fed and weaned using the Abundance Weaning methods developed by Phoebe Linden of the Santa Barbara Bird Farm, he is fed upon demand instead of on a schedule and is weaned in such a way that he is able to develop his eating skills without having to be hungry.  This provides him with the early assurance that humans are to be trusted.  The earliest I ever sent babies home is 16 weeks and often they stay with me until they are 20 weeks old or beyond.  I think that those who don’t go home until that later date have the advantage.

     I would like to see us dispense, however, with the whole idea of a “weaned” parrot. Even when they are able to meet all their nutritional needs by themselves, I still continue to feed them and encourage new owners to do the same. We are learning that feeding others is, among certain species of parrots, a much-enjoyed social activity, not necessarily restricted to breeding pairs. Among the Greys I have, many of them feed each other, and I observe that the babies feed each other during the time they are with me.  I think we are sadly “missing the boat” if we do not continue to feed our older birds, and especially those younger fledglings we have just taken home.  

…Fledging and Flying

     Second, it is critical that African Greys be allowed to learn to fly and land before being gradually clipped back. Very unfortunately, they have gained a reputation for being clumsy birds that fall often, splitting their keel bones when they do.  However, African Greys in the wild are extremely coordinated, graceful and supremely confident.  The only reason our domestic Greys are uncoordinated and lacking in confidence is that they were not allowed this natural process.  I think we must recognize and come to terms with the fact that allowing young birds to learn to fly and land is not optional, not something that is negotiable.  It is as necessary as their learning to breathe.  Even if we choose to keep our birds’ wings clipped, they must have that initial experience.

     Learning to fly and land is an experience that forever changes the personality of the bird.  When the babies initially venture out and contemplate their first flights, they show uncertainty, excitement, and tension.  The first flights themselves often are clumsy and sometimes result in some sort of “crash” landing.  However, over the course of a couple of weeks, these same birds learn to fly with ease, to turn in mid-air and to land carefully, even on some difficult landing sites.

     The change in their personalities lasts for the life of the bird. They become, not just coordinated physically, but confident psychologically, and they learn to think. When flying, they learn to plan ahead about where they will land, and they learn to act volitionally. This is a totally new thought process for them.  Until that point in their development, much of their experience has been passive.  Now, suddenly, they have the opportunity to move through space by their own volition.  They learn a whole new way of being in the world. As I observe young fledglings, I am always impressed with their energy, their intelligence, coordination and confidence. It is this type of baby, coordinated from flying and secure because it has been abundance weaned, that has the skills to meet the challenges of making that transition to a new home. 

The Significance of the Flock

     Once we have acquired an African Grey as a companion, where do we go from there?  What makes the difference once that bird is home? The single greatest factor, which decides our relative success in having a Grey, is our understanding of their innate temperament, and their needs relative to the “social climate” we provide for them in our homes.  They are very different creatures from our Amazons, macaws and other New World birds.  If we understand these differences, then we can tailor our approach to dealing with them in such a way that it makes life easier for both human and bird.

     I have, for some time now, theorized that “the flock” has a greater significant to Greys than to other species, and that knowledge of this can provide us with tools for better dealing with them.  African Greys are innately relatively shy, reclusive birds.  They are also very empathic, sensitive birds.  Both characteristics can make life difficult for them in our homes, if we don’t understand what our role with them should be.

     I have had the pleasure of viewing a videotape made by Irene Pepperberg’s students in Africa of Greys in the wild.  I was struck by two things.  First, as a flock of Greys fly together, the sunlight bounces off of the different shades of grey and white with different intensities.  The image reminds me of an M.C. Escher print almost. As I watched this video, I realized the purpose of this coloration…any predator would have a very difficult time picking out any one bird to attack.  In other words, I believe that Greys derive their physical protection, and sense of safety, from being with the flock. Conversely, Amazons, many of the smaller macaws, Pionus, conures…most of the New World birds…are primarily green in color, indicating to me that their protection, their sense of safety, comes from blending in with the foliage in the rain forest.

     This same video also showed a flock of African Greys feeding on the ground.  This aspect of their culture often remains unrecognized when we speak about this species, but does have some ramifications for their care. These Greys, when on the ground will often hop and fly about, landing almost on top of each other.  None minds this intrusion…it’s almost as if they act as one entity.  However, New World birds, when feeding at a clay lick for instance, will often strike out at the most recent newcomer, as an expression of territory and the need to defend this.  Again, I see this as further evidence of the “flock mentality” which Greys manifest.

     Further, it has now been observed that African Greys often breed in flocks of one to two hundred birds. Each pair, of course, has their own nest.  However, many pairs may nest in relatively close physical proximity as a group.  Contrary to this practice, Amazons and other New World birds usually break away from the larger flock when going to nest as a pair.

     Each of these observations supports, I believe, the conclusion that the flock has perhaps even greater significance to Greys than to the New World species.  I believe we also see evidence of this truth as we observe Greys in the domestic environment.

The Impact of the Human Flock

     Reference has been made often and for some time now of the impact that human emotions can have on our African Grey companions.  Any behavioral consultant can tell you that chronic stress in family members or household upsets which are long-lasting may impact Greys in such a way that they feather pick or become difficult to interact with.  When they sense that the integrity and health of “the flock” is impaired, they themselves become anxious.

     Even their “demeanor” with us reflects their strong “flock connection.”  I have both New World birds and African Greys in my main living area.  The Amazons, macaw and Pionus go about their business in rather easy-going fashion, loving my attention when it is received, and happy to entertain themselves when I am busy.  My Greys also are content to keep themselves busy, but seem to do it with one eye on me.  I will often look up to find one of my Greys watching me.  African Grey companions maintain a more constant mental awareness of the humans they live with, and thus are more aware of our feelings and emotions.

Using the Flock Dynamic

     Taking this assertion about the significance of the flock to our Greys, and applying it to our care-giving practices, can assist us in having more successful experiences with our African Greys.  It can also be used at times when we have to rehabilitate rescued Greys, and when we raise young Greys.

     I have created an area in my home, about 18 feet long, which I call African Alley.  Rollo and Sister Woman, my Nanny Birds, live here and it is where I raise the babies I produce.  Once these babies are old enough to be placed in a cage, just prior to fledging, they are moved onto African Alley.  It is from here that they fledge and “join the flock,” so to speak.  They interact with both older Greys, and spend much time observing the activities and behavior of the older Greys.  I have observed Rollo both feeding and preening the young babies, caring for them as members of his “flock”.  He also engages with the young males in what I call “sparring” activities, as each bird attempts to attain the highest perch on the climbing structure.

     It has become clear to me that there is great benefit to the young Greys from being raised among older Greys.  I have a young male right now who at 17 weeks says “Hello”, “How are you?” “What are you doing?” “Good morning”, “I love you”, and “No, No, No!”  He also plays in ways that he has seen Rollo play.  By observing Rollo and Sister Woman, the young Greys learn how to play with toys, how to interact with humans and a great many other things.  There is no doubt in my mind that they mimic the behavior of the older Greys in their midst, and that this gives them an advantage as they grow and learn.

     I have also used this concept of “flock significance” when rehabilitating older Greys. I took in a year ago a 4-year-old female named Rosie.  She was nervous and fearful, did not much like humans, could not be handled, would not eat anything but seed, and did not know how to play with toys. Since she had not previously developed a real bond of trust with a human, she presented a special challenge.  Either I could spend months developing such a bond, and then teach her the skills I wanted her to learn, or I could allow the other Greys I had to do so. 

     As an experiment, I placed her on African Alley in one of the five cages incorporated into this structure and allowed the Greys there to teach her. Within a very short time, she was eating fresh food and playing with toys.  She also became more animated and “outgoing” because of the stimulation of “the flock” she encountered daily.  She also appeared to enjoy interacting with the babies, and she too, while there, acted as Nanny Bird to the chicks.  I finally moved her off of African Alley, but she still goes back to visit the babies when they are there.

     Prior to that experience, I had taken in a very old male Grey named Sterling.  He had been a breeder that had not produced.  When, because of this failure, he was taken to the vet, it was discovered that he was blind.  I also placed him in a cage on African Alley.  He and Rollo immediately became friends.  Rollo would visit him in his cage, and then after some weeks, Rollo led him around African Alley, as well as the entire living area on the floor.  Rollo actually served as Sterling’s eyes.  As Sterling followed Rollo around, Rollo would stop and wait for him if he fell behind.  Sterling learned to traverse the entire structure of the Alley, as well as the living room floor before he died of a stroke.

     At this juncture, a word or two of caution is appropriate.  The above two examples are provided only as specific instances that show what can be possible.  I do not mean to imply that any two, or even more Greys, can be placed together with the expectation that the outcome will be a happy, or productive, one.  The successful outcome of such experiments depends upon many factors, including the age of the birds involved, the timing with which they are introduced, method and location of introduction, number of birds present, and whether or not a “flock mentality” or atmosphere has been previously established. It would be foolish to assume that any two Greys in a home would necessarily get along without problems with aggression.  In fact, Rosie was ultimately removed from African Alley because of problems with Sister Woman.  I mention these examples solely to underscore the fact that there exists a significant “flock awareness” amongst Greys.

Our Role with Companion Greys

     The application pertinent to most Grey owners will be to learn how this aspect of the Grey personality can be used to enhance their relationship with their own parrot.  A simple demonstration of this lies in the fact that Greys do best when placed in the living area of the home, close to their human “flock.”  They do not do well, usually, in bird rooms – where their cage is set off from the living area.  It’s not the same to bring them out on a play stand.  Greys stay in very close touch psychically with their humans, and are happiest when in the middle of family life… happy healthy family life.

     Further it is critically important that we socialize young Greys well, and again, our awareness of their “flock mentality” can be used to help us understand what our role must be in this venture. As previously stated, Greys are relatively shy, reclusive creatures.  That is their nature in the wild.  They nest in such secluded settings that their study is very difficult.  When we breed them in captivity, we often have the best results when we create a sheltered entrance to the nest box so that they will have the same measure of privacy they might create for themselves were they still in the wild.

     This awareness will lead us to recognize that when we take Greys traveling, for rides in the car, or ask them to go to a stranger, we are asking something that goes against their instinctive nature.  It is incumbent upon us to ask these things of them in a way that does not frighten them. We can make these requests much easier for them by acting as a bridge ourselves to the new experience.  We must act in such a way that we convey to our Greys that they can depend upon us to keep them safe, while at the same time we challenge them with new experiences.

     We can quite successfully communicate this to them in several ways - verbally, by quieting our own energy in situations that they might find stressful, by using our body language, and by acting as a “bridge” to new people and experiences. Those of us who talk out loud to our Greys can attest to the fact that this is a very effective tool for reassuring them, as well as for explaining our desires. In much the same way that a two-year-old child can understand most of what we say, but can not yet speak those same words and phrases himself, our Greys understand much of what we tell them.  We can capitalize further on this by consciously working on and teaching to them a flock language.  If we use the same phrases in situations that are encountered routinely (“Do you want some water?” “Are you hungry?” “I have to go bye-bye…I’ll be right back!”, we can provide a greater sense of safety and belonging to our Greys. 

The “Bridge” Concept

     We now know Greys to be very empathic.  They know the minute something is up with us.  Many of my clients have a hard time understanding that their own stress affects their Grey enough to cause problems for the bird.  When I point this out, a frequent response is – “oh, I’m not stressed!”.  What I have come to realize is that a fairly high stress level has become so normal in our society that we become inured to it…we don’t even realize that we are stressed.  Consciously quieting our own energy at those times when we anticipate the bird will be stressed anyway…such as during a trip to the vet…will go a long way toward reassuring the bird.

     Body language is very effective in giving the Grey the constant message, “Don’t worry…I will protect you.” At the Pet Bird Report convention, I had Rollo with me…and I know I raised a few eyebrows because he was on my shoulder most of the time.  I was using my body language in this way to tell him he was safe. Since he is a rather dominant bird, who can also be aggressive, this is a privilege I would never allow him at home.  However, when we go out in public, especially to something like that which can seem quite threatening, I believe it is entirely appropriate to allow him this comfort.

     Lastly, we need to act as a bridge to new experiences and new people.  While at the convention, I had a man come up to me while I had Rollo on my shoulder and tell him, “Up!”  I backed away quickly, protecting Rollo from this inappropriate intrusion. I would never allow anyone to interact with one of my Greys in this manner, whether in public or at home. Instead, I act as a “bridge” to that person. If I feel good about the person (because my Grey will know it if I don’t)…then I tell the bird I am going to hand him off, and then place him on the person’s hand with the “up” command.  Further, I do not require that my Greys go to all people, the way I might with my New World birds. I instead watch them as carefully as they watch me, attempting to determine a measure of their reaction or comfort with a certain person or situation.

     African Greys are complex birds.  Many of us who have had them as companions state that, should we be able to keep only one parrot as a friend, it would be a Grey.  Hands down.  No contest.  The gifts they have to share are exceptional, but will be received in full measure only when we ourselves are exceptional in our relationships with them…when we honor their innate timetables for development, allow them to develop physically into the incredible creatures they have evolved to be, and honor their sensitivities in our care practices.

   Due to the popularity of African Greys, and the relative ease with which they are bred, their population has increased dramatically, and they are now a commonly kept companion parrot.  As a result, we are beginning to have a body of information about them as a species, especially in terms of how they fare with us as companions in captivity.  We are beginning to see certain problems emerge with them as a species, both behavioral and physical.  (Behavioral issues and social needs of African Greys are described in Part One of this article.)

     Several physical problems are coming to be recognized as typical to African Greys.  Aside from infectious diseases common to their species, they also experience other maladies for which the cause is not as easily identifiable.  Feather abusive behavior, seizure activity, blindness and cataracts are becoming more commonly seen.  Calcium deficiencies and low vitamin A levels are frequently seen in older birds. Many adult Greys do not display the vibrant red tails, shiny black beaks, and gray feathers that have sheen to them that are all characteristic of a healthy African Grey.  

     I have come to believe that many of the problems, both behavioral and physical, that Greys manifest in the domestic world are a result of inadequate nutrition.  From what I’ve been able to determine, a lot of Greys just don’t feel really well as a result of poor diets.  The types of problems that I described above suggest that Greys are not receiving adequate levels of vitamins D3 and A, the minerals calcium and selenium, and the essential fatty acids.

     In the last few years, there has grown to be an increased awareness of the benefits of full spectrum lighting, primarily because it allows parrots to manufacture vitamin D.  However, there is also some confusion about whether full spectrum lighting is really necessary for parrots receiving vitamin D3 in their diets.  If they are, they may not need full spectrum lighting.  However, this line of reasoning assumes that most species can successfully absorb vitamin D from their digestive tracts.

     At the last PBR convention, Tammy Jenkins, DVM brought up an interesting point.  Greys in the wild live close to the equator and get the maximum possible number of hours of sunlight each day.  They have evolved a dark coloring to their feathers, much the same that dark skinned peoples have who live in these same geographical regions.  This dark coloring is responsible for screening out much of the UV light which hits them.  The hypothesis that might be drawn from these observations states that Greys may have evolved in such a way that they do not, in the wild, have to be as effective in absorbing vitamin D from their diets because they manufacture adequate amounts from their exposure to the sunlight.  In other words, they may depend upon exposure to sunlight for their source of this vitamin, rather than diet.

     If true, this would suggest that it is critical for African Greys to receive either full spectrum lighting close to their cages, or have frequent access to an outdoor aviary to enjoy the benefits of natural sunshine. My own observations have lent credibility to this theory.

     Because of my frequent use of outdoor aviaries for my companion birds, I have been able to observe very diverse responses to sunlight among the species that live in my home.  In my largest outdoor aviary on the deck just off my kitchen, there is opportunity to move from sunlight into shade.  My macaws, Amazons and Pionus will spend some time in the sun, but will then rest in the shade when they nap.  All in all, they spend less time in the sun than they do in the shade on any given day.  My African Greys are the only birds that truly bask in the sunlight.  Rollo will sit on a perch in the sun for hours.  One day, I saw something I found astonishing.  I saw Sister Woman on the floor of the aviary, head down and wings spread out.  I was afraid that she was ill or hurt, but when I approached it became obvious that she had only been sunbathing. 

     If we look at the benefits of Vitamin D in the diet, we see that it is involved in calcium absorption.  In view of the fact that many Greys are found to have low levels of calcium, I am beginning to wonder if inadequate lighting is contributing to this.  I believe it essential that African Grey owners make some provision for either full spectrum lighting or exposure to natural sunlight on a regular basis.

     Next, older African Greys are often found to be deficient in Vitamin A.  This is undoubtedly due in large part to inadequate levels in the diet, especially for those birds eating a seed diet. Even without the results of a blood panel, a physical examination of an older Grey can give some indication of such a deficiency.  With the exception of the Timneh, Greys should have bright red tails, yet many older Greys display a faded red color.  It is the carotenoids in vitamin A rich foods that provide for the vibrant red that is natural to Grey tails.  Therefore, we can reasonably conclude that older Greys displaying very faded red tails are flirting with a vitamin A deficiency. 

     This may also be true of Greys with eyesight problems.  Since vitamin A is largely involved in the state of good eyesight, I have to wonder how much of a role malnutrition is playing in these cases.  I am not aware of any research that has been done with parrots into this correlation.

     It is also of significance to this discussion that the carotenoid or vitamin A content of tissue is the most significant factor in determining maximal life span potential of mammalian species.  Mammal species that are the longest lived have the highest requirements for vitamin A, and those who reach that maximal life span are those who demonstrate the highest levels of vitamin A in the blood and tissue. This is important information and suggests that we certainly are well advised to provide a diet rich in this nutrient.  The best dietary sources for our birds of vitamin A carotenes are dark green leafy vegetables, such as collard greens and kale, and yellow-orange vegetables and fruits such as carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, apricots, mangoes, chili peppers, and winter squash.  An abundance of both should be provided every day.

     Further, Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin.  Most parrots do not have an effective mechanism for fat storage the way that humans do; the necessity and ability to fly precludes this. Accordingly, even if adequate levels of vitamin A are present in the diet, it will not be able to be used most effectively in the body, unless the diet of Greys also contains adequate levels of fat.  And this leads me to a fascinating observation.

     We have largely ignored a very important fact regarding the diet of wild African Greys.  Greys naturally feed extensively on the fruits of the oil palm.  Numerous references to this can be found in avicultural literature.  Joseph Forshaw, in Parrots of the World, mentions in a discussion of their natural diet, “They are particularly fond of fruits of the oil palm (Elaeis guinensis).” According to aviculturist David Poole, these fruits contain 90% oil and are available throughout the year.  We also see that, in captivity, African Greys appear to be better able to cope with slightly higher levels of fat in the diet than most parrots and in fact, such levels appear to be beneficial.  There are numerous anecdotal reports that Greys who feather pick have been cured of the problem when extra fats were included in their diet.  This was true of one of my own Greys, Sister Woman. Signs of fatty acid deficiency in humans include dry skin, cracked nails, dry lifeless hair; I believe that the Greys that we see with dry skin and feathers, or cracking and peeling beaks are exhibiting similar symptoms. This leads us to the question of whether we might wisely and intentionally include more fat in an African Grey’s diet, and if so…how?

     In answering that question, we must recognize that not all fats are “created equal.” A complete explanation of the differences between saturated and unsaturated fats, as well as a full definition of essential fatty acids, are not within the scope of this article.  However, the following is pertinent to our discussion.

     Unsaturated and naturally occurring oils are rich in nutrients called “essential fatty acids,” specifically the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.  They are called “essential” fatty acids because they are essential for normal growth and development, and they can not be manufactured by the body, as other fats can.  They must come from the diet.  If we look at the role these EFAs have in the diet, we are astounded.  They are involved in many, many biological processes.  Essential fatty acids are critically important in maintaining brain function, a strong immune system, and good eyesight, among other things.  What interests me most, however, is the fact that essential fatty acids are vital for the healthy functioning of the nervous system.

     The brain is largely made up of fat - not the kind that you store on your thighs, but “structural” fat, the kind that forms cell membranes and plays a vital role in how cells function.  Neurons, the cells that transmit chemical messages are unusually rich in omega-3 fatty acids.[i]  The latter is an important fact, which the following will illustrate.

     One of the first animal studies demonstrating a link between fat and intelligence was published in 1975.[ii]  In this experiment, one group of rats was raised on a safflower oil diet, which is very high in omega-6 fatty acids but has only trace amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.  A second group of rats was raised on a diet that contained an appreciable amount of LNA (the omega-3 essential fat).  When tested in a simple maze, the rats raised on safflower oil made the right choice only 60% of the time, compared with a 90% success rate for rats whose diets contained an adequate amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Other studies have shown similar results. 

     Further, it has been shown that omega-3 fatty acids help humans learn and remember.  Human breast milk contains DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid), but infant formulas do not. Studies have documented that breast-fed babies have better visual acuity and scored higher on many tests designed to measure learning.[iii]  In short, there have been ample studies with both animals and humans that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that those provided with a good blend of essential fatty acids in the diet were capable of better learning and were happier with improved mental state. I must wonder if the behavioral problems encountered among African Greys, including phobia and feather picking, might not frequently be at least a partial result of inadequate fatty acid levels in the diet.

     Given this, coupled with the fact that Greys evolved to enjoy optimal health eating a diet high in palm oil, as well as native plants, in their native habitat, I do believe we should examine the wisdom of making sure that Greys get an adequate amount of fat, specifically essential fatty acids, in their captive diets.  I believe it of no coincidence that the Greys I encounter who seem not to feel very well often are eating a 100% pelleted diet, usually a chemically-dyed, extruded pellet. According to Simopoulos, “If you foraged your food from the wild, it would be impossible to be deficient in this nutrient because it would be present in virtually everything you ate.”[iv] The author is referring to the plant-based form of omega-3 fatty acids – LNA. The omega-3 fatty acids are easily destroyed by light, air, and heat.  Pellets therefore are exceptionally poor sources of these nutrients.

     If we look at the need to insure that the diet of domestic Greys contains adequate levels of some sort of fat or oil, we have to go back to the assertion that all fats are not created equal.  I have had it suggested to me that we should use palm oil for this purpose of supplementation, since it is closest to what Greys eat in the wild.  However, I remain unconvinced, although I think that occasional supplementation with this product could be beneficial due to its high vitamin A content.  However, palm oil is largely saturated fat, as are most vegetable fats grown near equatorial regions.  Wild parrots that are engaged in strenuous daily flying exercise would easily metabolize this type of saturated fat.  However, in looking at ways to supplement our domestic Greys, we must recognize the very different, sedentary lifestyle they now have. 

     Perhaps our own species can serve as an example here.  Whereas man once ate the saturated fat of the animals he killed without adverse effect on his health because of the physically challenging existence he led, he now flirts with the probability of death from heart disease if eating a diet high in saturated fat. Thus, for the moment, I prefer to supplement my Greys with unsaturated fats high in essential fatty acids.  Seeds are a natural source of oils and essential fatty acids, but should be limited to about 10% of the diet I think, because of the poor calcium/phosphorus ratio they contain, as well as the lack of other important nutrients.

     I think the best solution lies with the provision of abundant fresh vegetables, some nuts and seeds, and very small amounts of a high quality oil blend, the sort sold as a nutritional supplement in health food stores. Found in the refrigerator section of the health food store, these products usually contain some blend of oils such as flax seed oil, borage oil, pumpkin seed oil, evening primrose oil, etc. Commonly found brands include Udo’s Perfected Oil Blend, Spectrum Essentials, and Arrowhead Mills. An appropriate “dose” for supplementation with such an oil blend would be between two and six drops per day.  This can be put on a piece of toast or other absorbent bread or treat.

     However, such supplementation should not take the place of fresh foods in the diet. Good food sources of omega-3 fatty acids include walnuts and Brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, salmon, tuna, trout, flax seeds, canola oil, legumes, soybeans (sprouted and steamed) and oats. In fact, flax seed has a unique feature in that it may contain a substance that helps to regulate immune function, inflammatory response, and play an important role in calcium and energy metabolism.[v] The leafy greens high in fatty acids are arugula, chicory, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, Swiss chard, dandelion greens. The common “weed” purslane is also an exceptional source of omega-3 fatty acids.  Purslane seeds can be ordered from Seeds of Change (www.seedsofchange.com or 888-762-7333).

     Greys are also often said to have a greater need for calcium than other species.  This is not technically true.  The truth is that they are more sensitive to inadequate levels of calcium in their bloodstream.  The best sources of calcium are tofu, kale, turnip greens, and other green leafy vegetables. Calcium from spinach is poorly absorbed, but kale is an excellent source of absorbable calcium.

     Further, at the PBR convention, Dr. Tammy Jenkins indicated that there is some new evidence that Greys may not adequately absorb the mineral selenium. She suggested that we be more aware of providing good sources for this mineral in the diet of domestic Greys.  For one thing, selenium is antagonistic to heavy metals like lead in the body.  Further, low levels of selenium promote cataract formation.  Unfortunately, blindness caused by cataracts is not uncommon in Greys.  Good food sources include Brazil nuts, wheat germ, oats, whole wheat bread, bran, and red Swiss chard.  Generally speaking, the level of selenium in a food is directly related to the level of selenium in the soil.  This is interesting in view of the fact that Greys in the wild often feed on the ground and dig in the soil.

     In keeping African Greys as our companions, it is important to understand their innate psychological nature, as well as their unique physical needs.  It is important to understand that when we go about socializing them in our world, we are asking much of them that goes against their instinctive nature.  If we do, then we can tailor our expectations to be more reasonable, we can foresee problems which might arise, and we can find creative ways to honor their naturally suspicious and aloof natures, while still affording them the experiences that will keep them socialized to our world.  We must recognize in the clearest way that we must pattern them to accept new experiences, toys, and cages since this does not come easily to them.  And, above all, we must strive to provide them with the nutritional resources that will allow them to enjoy perfect health, thus equipping them with the physical resources they need to meet the demands of life in our world.  Keeping a Grey successfully requires that we act quite consciously. We have much more to learn about these exquisite creatures.  They present us with a challenge, but there is no greater gift than sharing life with a healthy, happy African Grey.