Can I Leave an African Grey Outside the Cage & Go to Sleep?

He’s new to our family. I’m afraid to try to put him back in the cage, he may have unwanted reactions. The place is safe for him and closed, and he’s still in his cage now.

Catherine replied

Why are you making the assumption that your new parrot who came from a caged environment would have a problem with living in a caged environment in your home?

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What Species of Parrots Make the Best Pets?
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What Species of Parrots Make the Best Pets?

Let’s start with parrots falling under a definite no. 

Kea for one. The New Zealand Alpine parrot lives in the snowy mountains and is really smart but extremely destructive.
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What Suggestions Do You Have for My Territorial Timneh?
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What Suggestions Do You Have for My Territorial Timneh?

Tammy F. is worried about her bird’s territorial issues,

Yogi, my timneh African grey parrot has taken over our bedroom dresser and nightstand drawers. He learned to open them months ago, he loves getting in there and throwing everything out.

I let him have fun with it but now when my husband goes to get into the drawers Yogi does a dive bomb to his head. He does it to me also but I’m more aware of him and know he’s coming and divert him.

He does not want anyone in “his” drawers. He gets locked in his cage for this behavior sometimes but he knows when we are going to put him in his cage and he flys off.

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Are Essential Oils Safe to Use Around Parrots?
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Are Essential Oils Safe to Use Around Parrots?

Linda is concerned with using essential oils around her bird,

 

Are essential oils safe to use around parrots? Like on the family dog. Not diffuser. Would you share your insight, please? Thank you, Linda and flock

Hi Linda

We discourage essential oils in a bird home simply because it’s oil. The oil can merge into floating particulates or aerosols that can line the nasal passage and respiratory system reducing a bird’s ability to breathe.

Best

MitchR

I’ve added a video about avian respiratory systems below.

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Will Bright Full Spectrum Lighting Cause My Bird to Go Blind?
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Will Bright Full Spectrum Lighting Cause My Bird to Go Blind?

Rob K. has a “Light question”

Mitch, I have read much and understood all of your points about lighting.

My bird is a Congo African Grey.

My concern is that I have also read articles about the danger of eye damage such as cataracts from such closeness and intensity of the light. At the equator, high noon footcandles range from 9-10,000 and cycle up and down moonlight to moonlight (.01 FC @ full moon) and between dawn & dusk (10 FC).

I have a full spectrum bulb in my ceiling 5′ above his cage.

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