This recipe has been developed to provide the nutrients necessary for good health in African Grey parrots. Quinoa and sesame seeds are both sources of calcium. Brazil nuts are high in selenium. Yams and dark green leafy vegetables provide valuable Vitamin A. The oil blend contributes essential fatty acids.

• 1/2 cup quinoa (pronounced keen-wa)
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup grated yams, sweet potatoes or carrots, fresh corn kernels cut from one cob corn or cup frozen corn
• 1/2 cup grated broccoli or other finely chopped dark green leafy vegetable
• 1/4 cup grated Brazil nuts
• 1/4 cup unhulled sesame seed
• 1/4 cup canary seed mix (optional)
• 1/4 cup Abba Green 92 (or other) nestling food (optional)
• 2 teaspoon Udos Oil blend (look at health food store for this)

Bring water to a boil and add quinoa. After mixture has come to a boil again, cover and turn heat to medium-low. Cook for five minutes, and then add carrots or yams. Cover again and cook for another 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Turn into a bowl and mix with other ingredients. Serve warm (no hotter than 110 degrees) or at room temperature. (Feel free to experiment with this recipe. You can use almost any combination of fruits and vegetables. Most parrots love this mixture.)

Answer:

In a word, no. Unfortunately, many people believe clipped wings will keep a bird safe in any situation, but it simply isn't true. A clipped bird faces far more danger than a fully flighted one. The type of clip makes no difference. Birds are hard wired to see almost everything as a potential predator. If a dog, cat or other creature should suddenly appear, they often startle and try to take flight. If there is a bit of wind, it can provide just enough lift to allow the bird to fly and often for quite a distance. Once the bird lands, it cannot fly up and becomes prey for anything in the area of landing. Vehicles have hit many birds while in low flight or as they begin to lose altitude. Native wild birds frighten our parrots too, especially when in flocks, or if they are larger birds like crows, blackbirds, or starlings. Many large birds have been taken from the shoulder of their humans or from perching areas by birds of prey, such as hawks or falcons. The fast movements of children at play easily frighten some birds.

An acquaintance lost her Amazon while walking with her bird on her shoulder through a quiet residential neighborhood. A very loud motorcycle roared along the road and frightened her bird into flight mode. His clipped wings allowed him only to glide to the ground, and he ended up under the wheels of the motorcycle as it passed. Cats or dogs will quickly grab a bird from the ground too, especially if the bird lives with one or both and doesn't fear them.

Birds benefit greatly from sunshine and fresh air. To safely take them outside to enjoy spring and summer weather with you, it is best to provide some type of protection. Harnesses work very well, although it may take several attempts to get your bird to accept one. Many newer carriers and backpacks allow plenty of sunshine to reach the bird inside, or a small cage (with secure doors) while outside will keep it safe. Please remember to leave your bird in the sun for only short periods of time. In confined spaces, birds overheat easily. Keep some cool water with you and offer a drink every now and then, or offer a piece of juicy fruit to provide liquid. Provide equal amounts of sun and shade. Never leave a bird (or any animal) in a car, not even briefly, during hot weather. If you see your bird panting, provide liquid and take it to a cool place immediately. Please don't let your bird become a lost bird or a statistic. Simple safety measures will ensure you and your feathered friend enjoy a safe and happy summer!

Although the word clumsy is not associated with African Greys as strongly as it was years ago, the clumsiness myth still exists in the parrot community. Although I'm not a scientist or behaviorist, I do share my home with six Greys and have had three others who are no longer living.

My first two Greys were from bird stores. The first, a female, was clipped but the second, a male, was absolutely butchered. Neither bird had been given the opportunity to fledge. The hen fell constantly primarily when she tried to fly. The male dropped like a rock, even while trying to perform the simple task of moving about. A four-year-old male and a two-year-old female came next. Both of these birds were fledged and, after a time, were good flyers.

My fifth Grey was a very paranoid, clipped Timneh who was very fearful of everyone and often fell in a panic if I simply walked by her cage. After some patient and intense socialization, the constant falling slowed down and the flying began. Grey number six was a former breeder who was fully flighted. Grey number seven was only a year old and had fledged as a baby. However, he is a very opinionated bird and not a pet quality. Although fully flighted, he only flies to escape me.

When he was an infant, Grey number eight suffered a traumatic nest box injury. Because of damage to his right foot, coupled with his heavy weight of 535 grams, he has learned not to try to fly to high spots, but to land in a larger, flatter area. My ninth Grey had fledged and been clipped before I brought her home, but her clipped wings didn't deter her from making the rounds, flying from cage to cage and to various playstands with the grace of some of my most experienced flyers. By keeping a watchful eye, it's sometimes easy to figure out the most likely reasons why our birds are clumsy. Often it is because the bird was never properly fledged. Over time, I've learned that very often either fear or laziness can be a factor. With baby birds, the mere fact that they are toddlers and not quite accustomed to those big feet plays a role in their development.

For more information on this topic, you might like to check out the following sites