Behavior/Health Concerns:  Grey-cheeked parakeets are susceptible to mites, PBFD, psittacosis and bacterial hepatitis. Tuberculosis was common among imported birds. Grey-cheeked parakeets also require extra fruit in their diet, and some breeders recommend less protein to avoid gout. These pet birds are somewhat loud and screech, but there is usually a reason for their periods of screeching and once that cause is eliminated grey cheeks quiet down. A base diet of pellets is recommended by most avian veterinarians for the grey-cheeked parakeet, supplemented with fresh produce.