Skin Irritation on an African Grey Parrot

African Grey parrots are susceptible to skin irritations, and caring for one can be a large commitment. These beautiful birds can live up to 60 or 70 years and weigh as much as 500 grams. They are highly social and are most well known for their ability to imitate human speech. Given the attention it requires, the African Grey parrot can become a wonderful pet.

  1. Appearance and History

    • African Grey parrots are well known for their silver-gray plumage.

      African Grey parrots grow to about 13 inches, or 33 cm, in length. They are mostly gray, with a bright scarlet tail and undertail. Their feet and legs are often a solid black. The scientific name of the African Grey parrot is the Psittacus Erithacus. Originally from Equatorial Africa, these charming birds were first kept domestically by the Egyptians. A testament to its popularity, the African Grey was the first species of parrot to be kept domestically in Europe.

    Common Health Problems

    • If not attended to, the African Grey will pluck its own feathers.

      An African Grey parrot is not for beginners to aviary care. These birds are prone to feather plucking and frequent skin irritation. Any African Grey that is kept in an indoor environment needs to be sprayed twice a week to prevent brittle plumage and dry skin. If the feathers become too brittle, it will encourage the bird to pluck its own feathers. Another cause of feather plucking is a deficient diet. To maintain healthy skin and feathers, the African Grey needs to have fruits and greens incorporated regularly into its diet.

    Scaly Face and Leg Mite

    • Scaly mite results in coarse patches of skin.

      The African Grey is susceptible to the microscopic face and leg mite. This affliction is most commonly contracted in the nesting stage. The mite will spend its entire life cycle in the bird's skin and plumage. It can be identified by a white scaly deposit surrounding the bird's eyelids, beak, legs and toes. Scaly mite is fairly common and may be treated with a simple mineral oil applied twice a day. This will soften the deposit and suffocate the mites.

    Dry and Irritated Skin

    • The skin of a bird is very different from our skin. It is extremely thin and has no sweat glands. It can become easily irritated but can be treated with several common ointments. A &D ointment and Neosporin may both be applied sparingly to small areas of skin. This should not be done more than twice a day for five days. For skin inflammation, a Domeboro solution should be applied. One teaspoon should be dissolved in a pint of water and applied topically with bandage material twice daily.

    A Word of Warning

    • The African Grey regulates its body temperature with its feathers.

      Always be very careful when applying any ointments or dressings. Avoid excessive contact with feathers. If a bird's feathers are destroyed or are coated in ointment, it may destroy the creature's ability to regulate body temperature.