I know I've read somewhere (I think BT) that African Greys are ground feeders. However, I never saw Echo ever in the bottom of her cage. A habit that she has always had is tossing all her fruits and veggies to the ground. I assumed it was being picky, but when I gave her her fruits and veggies this afternonn, she tossed them out and scooted down to the bottom of her cage. There, she ate them, and continues to do so.

I was just wondering if any of your greys do this. Also, isn't it a little unsanatary? I mean, I change out the newspaper daily and clean the grates weekly, but is this very healthy? Are there any 'safe' ways to feed?

Neither my Tag or Cag do that...Hmmm.

Hmmm... I don't think it would mean anything serious, but it seems kinds weird. Nonw of the other fids do that, except Harley. However, I put her nuts in a treat ball, so she kinds has an excuse. NTM, she usually brings the treat ball up anyways. Do you have any ideas as to what this could mean?

Alot of Greys dig on the bottom even without food and alot of them like eating on the bottom and also some toss. I've only lived with one adult for about a year and all the rest babies in a playpen so I'm not an expert on this. But I'd guess she's either developing a new behavior because she's setting in OR developing a new behavior from another reason. Or just cuz she's getting older I forget is she two years old? It's a milestone in bird years sorta.

I agree about not sanitary and if it were me, I'd probably serve the food in a big wide heavy crock on the grate having covered it with unprinted newspaper like you can get from Home Depot, Lowes in the moving supplies or U Haul. Tons of sheets for about 9 dollars. Just to see what she does. Maybe she'll like that and if she tosses is it's on the clean paper. Especially if it's her fresh food she's tossing. But dont be surprised if she walks in the crock too, you never can tell it's all trial and error they're all "the same but different" if you know what I mean. Like you hear the same stories about different species but not about every individual.

She might also enjoy eating out of the cage I use a fold up four or six foot party table. With a table cloth plastic. Under the boings and stuff. I mean these tips for her "big" meals not just picking during the day...since you cant leave fresh food out and on the bottom for long.OR any food really if she can go to the bathroom in it from above.

Gracie does this sometimes too. More often in the morning. I think it's her way of saying "let me OUT!" and "where is my breakfast!!" She scratches around really noisily (is that a word?? lol). She might do it on purpose though.

I noticed that jazz likes to eat out of his bowl at the bottom of his cage. (i change the papers constantly.) He also goes to the bottom of his playstand to eat pieces that he threw down earlier

Ollie will eat leftovers throughout the day at the bottom of her cage. I line the grate with newspapers that I change every morning so I don't worry about it. She doesn't throw her food down just to go to the bottom and eat it though.

Scarlett doesn't do this but she does prefer to have her bowl of food just sitting on the floor of her playtop. She eats more that way then when I put the bowl into the holder. Maybe try putting the bowl of the floor of her cage.

I'm ordering a croc from Drs F/S that has the screw on back. It's pretty shallow and wide. That way, I can screw it on to her cage and she can eat without it tipping over. LOL, I tried the newpaper idea. She ripped it to shreads first then ate. Oh well... I was thinking maybe some plexi glass. That way, I can wipe it clean or put it in the dishwasher at night and her cage still be clean. I just worry about her eating her poos ans such...