A gray redstart is very intelligent. In addition to his natural behavior, he can learn a lot and develop well. Keep in mind that he has the learning ability of a toddler, so undesirable behavior is also learned very quickly.
Intelligence
A gray redstart can learn a lot and thus also unwanted behavior. Because he is so intelligent, he will quickly understand how to manipulate his environment and get his way through by screaming, screaming or biting. Negative behavior should be avoided as much as possible, positive behavior encouraged. Screaming and screaming are very annoying for people, but for the parrot it is very natural and he loves it. Therefore try to involve the gray redstart with the family as much as possible, with clear rules, that will limit the screaming in any case.
Prey animal
A parrot is a prey animal and it knows it as soon as it hatches from the egg. He will therefore react very angry, afraid or violent if approached from above or from behind. A bird must therefore always be approached from the front. Also, don’t put the cage at the bottom of stairs, so that he will notice that there is something above him, he will feel threatened. Because parrots have eyes on either side of the head, the field of view is 360 degrees. An attacker can therefore see them coming from every side.
Group animal
A parrot lives in groups, which offers protection. A bird in captivity must therefore be included in the ‘group’, it must be involved as much as possible in family life. Everything in the immediate vicinity of the bird is seen as a member of the group, the family members, pets, as well as regular visitors.
Leadership
Not much is known about the group life of a parrot, but it is known, for example, that they have guards or lookouts that stand guard when food is sought. This position is very important and will always be fulfilled. Usually the bird with the highest seat does this because it has the best view. There is often a lot of bickering over who can occupy this place, but usually it is the larger, older and experienced birds in the group. This is also the reason why it is advised not to let a parrot sit on the shoulder. So he is above the boss and he will think he is the boss. It is better to let him sit on the arm or forearm. A parrot that is not clipped will be more independent than a clipped parrot. He doesn’t need his boss to move around and so he can make his own decisions. That is why cutting is better, then he can only go somewhere with the boss as the leader. By the way, shortening is not final and the boss can therefore choose something else.
Shout
All parrots are making a noise. Communication is very important to them (also for other social animals) and a parrot that has volume will certainly show that too. This should not always be limited, as it is natural behavior for them. They ‘chat’ with their peers in this way, especially at dawn and dusk. It is useful, for example, to set a screaming hour. Just turn up the radio and let the bird screech.
Make a mess
Parrots make a lot of mess. Where the parrot lives, seeds, caps, twigs, papers and whatever will be on the ground. In the wild, the parrots are partly responsible for forest growth. It is a ‘task’ and natural behavior. So accept that you have a junk maker at home and let him crumble, shred as much as he wants.
Speaking ability
In the wild, parrots mainly communicate with each other in the morning and evening. This is also the reason that in captivity they are often a bit noisier at sunrise and sunset. Gray Redstarts are known for their speaking ability and mimicking qualities. For example, they can make entire telephone calls, call the dog all day and so on. However, it is not a guarantee that a gray redstart will speak if you buy one. Not all speak equally well, some will never even say a word. For example, they mimic environmental sounds, such as a telephone ringing, the beep of the microwave, the doorbell or a barking dog. They can imitate this so precisely that it is often impossible to hear the difference. If a gray-headed redstart does start talking, it will start doing so when it is about a year old. Their intelligence also allows them to say certain things at the right time. Think for example of good morning or good night. So generally they know very well what to say and when to say it, so you have been warned …..
