Thursday, September 25, 2008

Adopt a Bird Spotlight: Nemo (Congo African Grey Parrot)


Nemo's Story

Species: African Grey Parrot
Hatched: 11/2/2003

Nemo was hatched by a local breeder and aquired by World Bird Sanctuary in May 2004 to become a member of our Care For Critters program. From May until September 2005, he was a part of the Milwaukee County Zoo Bird Fair where he returned for a repeat performance this year.

Nemo has a very sweet, happy-go-lucky personality and is a favorite of all who work with him. True to the African grey's reputation of being one of the most intelligent of the psitticines, Nemo learns very quickly. He has a vocabulary that increases almost daily and learns new behaviors in an incredibly short period of time. He learned to wave in less than week!

Nemo loves unusual sounds and whistles, and his favorite foods are grapes, bananas, and peanuts (treats).

To adopt Nemo, simply click our donation button, make a donation of $100, and specify in your payment notes: Adopt-a-bird: NEMO. Also include your name, phone number, and mailing address so that we can send you your adoption materials!

Every donation helps to feed, house, and provide medical care for the bird of your choice! Adopt-A-Bird Parents Receive:

  • *A personal visit with the bird you adopt!!!!! Call 636-861-3225 to set up a time for
  • your personal visit.
  • * Certificate of Adoption
  • * Color photo of the bird you've adopted
  • * Sponsorship Card
  • * One year's subscription to Mews News (our quarterly newsletter)
  • * Life History and Natural History of the bird
  • * 10% Discount off WBS merchandise
  • * Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day
  • * Discounts on WBS Special Events
  • * WBS Decal
Natural History

Congo African grey parrot
Psittacus erithacus erithacus

Description medium sized parrot; dark grey wings; pale grey rump; featherless rim of skin around the eyes is whitish to light grey; head and neck feathers have paler margins giving a scalloped appearance; short red tail feathers; black beak

Sex: reliable only via endoscopy or DNA sexing

Age: 50-70+ years

Length: 12-14”

Wingspan: approximately 28”

Weight: 14-23 oz.

Habitat: rainforests, cultivated land, mangroves, wooded savannas, and gardens

Status: listed as “NT” (near threatened) in large part due to trapping for the pet trade; in the U.S. importation is prohibited under the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992

Range: lowland forests of central Africa, Guinea Island, Kenya & Tanzania

Behavior: form lifelong monogamous bonds; nests in tree hollows and cavities; during breeding season the male feeds his mate and both sing soft monotonous notes; the female will sleep in the nest cavity while the male guards it; female lays 3-5 eggs at intervals of 2-5 days; female incubates the eggs; male feeds the incubating female; incubation lasts 30 days; males feeds both the female and young; young fledge at 12 weeks after which both parents feed young;

Diet: in the wild, a variety of fruits & vegetables; in captivity quality pelleted diet, a variety of vegetables, fruits, and occasionally nuts

Vocalization: screams less than most parrots; considered the best mimic of all parrots;

√ Considered by many to be the most intelligent of all birds. Some individuals have been documented as having a 500-800 word vocabulary, and amazing cognitive abilities.

√ Like most parrots, African Greys are high maintenance pets, requiring a great deal of personal attention if they are to remain happy and healthy. When not given enough attention, they develop a host of health and personality problems.

Adopt A Bird spotlights are written and photographed by Gay Schroer.

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