Zita and Karl
two clever gray parrots
From the perspective of Gut Aiderbichl
(written by Gisela Pschenitschnig)
The two gray parrots Zita and Karl (approx. 3 years old) were confiscated because the owners could not produce any papers for the two birds.
Where do the parrots come from? Even though gray parrots are highly intelligent birds, they cannot answer the question of their origin. They have been living in the beautiful bird house at Gut Aiderbichl in Henndorf since the end of October and seem to have settled in wonderfully.
Creativity knows no bounds
How do you get exotic animals?
The animal victims of illegal trade are diverse. For example, Indian or Southeast Asian otters are smuggled because their fur is in demand in the fashion industry, their meat is often served in restaurants, and the animals are also popular in traditional medicine.
Wild animals are smuggled somewhere in the world every day: in hand luggage, in suitcases and boxes, in video cassettes, in plastic containers, in bags and socks - there is no limit to creativity. The animals discovered during customs checks, for example, are just the tip of the iceberg of smuggled animals.
Zita and Karl belong to the largest parrot species
In Europe, gray parrots live in zoos or in private households and can live to be 60 to 80 years old. It is therefore important to think carefully about whether you want to keep these gray "smarties" in a private home. It could be that they survive humans - what then?
The gray parrot lives in Central and West Africa. It is a tree dweller and loves to be in the tropical rainforests. Due to their climbing feet, these beauties can be found in the treetops. It avoids human gardens, but enjoys the fruit that grows there.
Zita and Karl are vegetarians and feed on nuts, berries, seeds, flowers and buds. Bananas and mango are among their favorite foods.
Once Zita, always Zita and vice versa ...
Zita and Karl probably formed a lifelong bond - just as we know it from the domestic geese. A threat or separation occurs mainly through capture and trade.
Since 1981, gray parrots have been covered by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Since 2017, gray parrots have enjoyed the highest protection status in the EU. Without formal authorization from the competent authority, any import into the EU and any marketing within the EU is prohibited.
Can Zita and Karl talk?
In the wild, gray parrots communicate with shrill whistles and screeches. Otherwise, they are shy birds and live in large flocks.
The tame gray parrots are intelligent, but not all animals learn to speak. Some whistle melodies and imitate noises. They can imitate the ringing of the telephone - anything goes.
Zita and Karl can learn a lot from each other. However, it takes time to teach the animals sounds and they may never learn some words. In any case, they have a gift for language.
Animals are the best of friends. They do not ask questions and do not criticize.
~Mark Twain
Let's see if we can learn to communicate with Zita and Karl. Yours sincerely, Gisela
Zita the parrot
Grey parrot
Zita - confiscated because no documents were available Zita and Karl, two gray parrots, were confiscated because the previous owner could not produce any documents. Since the end of October, the two intelligent gray parrots have been living in the bird house at the Gut...
