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You may have noticed that parrot seed mixes, pellet mixes, and cook-able mixes contain dried peppers, pepper flakes, or cayenne! Many parrots love to crunch them up, soak them in their water, or eat the small pepper seeds. Many parrot owners are surprised to learn that birds do not taste the “heat” like we do. What gives peppers their heat is capsaicin. Humans have receptors sensitive to capsaicin, but birds do not! You can also offer fresh peppers like bell peppers, jalapenos, and red and green chilis. Do not offer peppers from jars or cans as they have usually been brined with lots of salt.

See if your parrot likes spicy foods by offering fresh peppers, or try our Firecracker Flatbread recipe!

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Timneh African Greys

While, at a glance, the Timneh African Grey may look very similar to a Congo African Grey, there are a few noticeable differences to look for to tell them apart. In a side-by-side comparison the Timnehs are much smaller in size. The grey on their back and wings is also darker, as well as the tail feathers which are dark maroon instead of red. Even the beaks have a slight difference! Timnehs have a beige-to-black upper mandible as seen in the picture on the right. These Greys are native to West Africa, but they do not share a geographic range with the Congo Greys.

The Timneh African Greys are overshadowed by the larger Congo African Greys, and some people assume that they are not as good at talking or mimicking, but that is not the case. The Timnehs can be of equal intelligence given the right learning environment and stimulation. As far as personalities go, Timneh African Greys may be less anxious, more adaptable to environmental changes, and more playful or hands on than some Congos. It is important to remember that each bird is an individual, just like people are, and that they have their own personalities and moods. A conservative life span for these birds can be up to 40 years or more.

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Trick – 360′ Spin

This is a trick for birds of all sizes. It is easiest to begin on a “T” perch, but can also be adapted to a flat surface if your bird doesn’t feel the need to wander off and explore.

1. Begin with your bird facing away from you and hold a small treat between your thumb and index finger. Try to maintain the treat at a distance which keeps your bird’s interest, but cannot reach it.

2. Choose a key word like “spin”, “dance”, or “circle”, and while repeating this, attract your bird’s attention with the treat and move it around your bird and to you, allowing him to follow it. When it has completed the half-circle to face you, quickly reward him with the treat!

3. In the beginning, or if your bird loses interest quickly, you may want to focus on the half-circle. It may be easier to learn 2 half-circles at first, and then put them together for a full circle. Once it has associated this activity with treats and is responding well, then try for a full circle before rewarding.

4. After enough practice, try completing the trick without a treat; just your finger and the key word. Remember to be ready with a treat when it completes the circle though!

Remember to have patience and plenty of time to practice! Make training sessions short and end positively so it is a good experience for you and your bird!

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Congo African Greys

Easily one of the most recognizable parrots thanks to the ever-popular Alex and Einstein, Congo African Greys are known for their intelligence, ability to learn large vocabularies, and clear speaking ability. They are also easily identified by their all grey coloration and bright red tail feathers. Some Congos are very light, and silvery in appearance while others are dark grey. These medium-sized parrots are native to a range in mid-Africa, where they are becoming increasingly endangered.

Compared to other parrots of similar size, like Amazons and medium-sized Cockatoos, Greys are not usually considered to be loud birds. Their natural sounds can be grunts and screeches but they can easily learn high-pitched whistles, beeps, alarms, and other sound effects!

Some Congo African Greys can be sensitive to their environment. Whether anxious by nature or a product of their intelligence, they can be prone to feather picking and over-preening. It is important to house them in an appropriate size cage and stimulate them with a variety of foraging toys, food and treat finding games, and cognitive activities to keep them busy. While Congo Greys aren’t known for their snuggly temperaments, some love a good neck scratch and enjoy human companionship and interaction- even if it isn’t as hands-on. A conservative life span for these birds can be 45 – 55 years or more.