The grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), also known as the Congo grey parrot, is an African parrot in the family Psittacidae. The grey parrot was formally described in 1758 by Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in the tenth edition of Systema Naturae. He placed it with all other parrots in the genus Psittacus and coined the binomial name Psittacus erithacus. Linnaeus erroneously specified the type locality as "Guinea": the locality was later designated as Ghana in West Africa. The genus name is Latin for "parrot".
The Clements Checklist classifies the Príncipe grey parrot as a subspecies of the grey parrot.
The African grey parrot is one of the most talented talking/ mimicking birds on the planet, giving it quite a reputation among bird enthusiasts. Not only do bird keepers love this intelligent bird, it’s one of the most recognizable species to bird novices as well - everyone knows the African grey parrot. This parrot is one of the oldest psitticine species kept by humans, with records of the bird dating back to biblical times.
The grey parrot is medium to large sized, predominantly grey and black-billed. Its typical weight is 400 g (14 oz), with an approximate length of 33 cm (13 in), and a wingspan of 46-52 cm (18-20+1⁄2 in). The head and wings are generally darker than the body.
An African Grey Parrot in Kruger National Park, South Africa.
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Lifespan in the Wild vs. Captivity
Grey parrots may live for 40-60 years in captivity, although their mean lifespan in the wild appears to be shorter - approximately 23 years.
Several factors contribute to this difference in lifespan.
Threats in the Wild
Natural predators for this species include palm-nut vultures and several raptors. Humans are by far the largest threat to wild grey populations. Between 1994 and 2003, more than 359,000 grey parrots were traded on the international market. Approximately 21% of the wild population was being harvested every year.
Range Map of African Grey Parrot.
Habitat and Distribution
The grey parrot is native to equatorial Africa, including Angola, Cameroon, the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. The species is found inside a range from Kenya to the eastern part of Ivory Coast. Current estimates for the global population are uncertain and range from 630,000 to 13 million birds.
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A population study published in 2015 found that the species had been "virtually eliminated" from Ghana with numbers declining 90 to 99% since 1992. They were found in only 10 of 42 forested areas, and three roosts that once held 700-1200 birds each, now had only 18 in total. Local people mainly blamed the pet trade and the felling of timber for the decline. Populations are thought to be stable in Cameroon.
How To Care African Gray Parrot: Everything You Need to Know!
Behavior and Diet
Little is known about the behaviour and activities of these birds in the wild. In addition to a lack of research funding, it can be particularly difficult to study these birds in wild situations due to their status as prey animals, which leads them to have rather secretive personalities. It has been shown that wild grey parrots may also imitate a wide variety of sounds they hear, much like their captive relatives.
Grey parrots are mainly frugivorous, with most of their diet consisting of fruit, nuts, and seeds, including oil palm fruit.
Breeding and Social Behavior
Grey parrots are monogamous breeders who nest in tree cavities. Each mated pair of parrots needs their own tree for their nest. The hen lays three to five eggs, which she incubates for 30 days while being fed by her mate. Grey parrot chicks require feeding and care from their parents in the nest. The parents take care of them until 4-5 weeks after they are fledged. Young leave the nest at the age of 12 weeks.
The grey parrot is a highly social species which relies on a flock-type structure, even when raised in captivity. Because they are so dependent on the other birds within their flock, much of their speech and vocal ability is acquired through interaction with the humans with whom they reside. Both wild and captive parrots have been shown to use contact calls, which allow them to interact with their flock mates and communicate information about their location, detection of predators, availability of food, and safety status. In addition, contact calls are used to form strong social bonds with their flock mates, or in the case of captive greys, with their human housemates.
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Caring for African Grey Parrots in Captivity
To keep your African Grey Parrot healthy and happy they should be examined by a veterinarian qualified to care for avian pets once or twice a year. A Board Certified Avian & Exotic Animal Specialist will be able to provide your African Grey with the care they need and deserve, as well as providing you with the guidance and advice you need to become the best Grey owner you can be. Routine preventive care including fecal exams, blood tests and vaccinations play a vital role in giving your African Grey their best shot at a long, happy and healthy life. Wing and nail trimming will also be required from time-to-time to keep your parrot looking and feeling great.
Without proper care at-home and annual veterinary care African Greys are prone to a number of problematic behaviors and health problems including feather picking, fearfulness, aggression, respiratory illnesses, hypocalcemia syndrome, circovirus (PBFD virus), nasal blockages (bacterial, fungal, secondary to malnutrition), and proventricular dilatation disease (PDD)
Enrichment and Exercise
African Greys require an hour or more each day of enrichment playtime with owners involving games, puzzles and lessons - but that's not all. As well as enrichment your Grey will also require 2-3 hours of exercise and out-of-cage time every day to help build muscle strength and prevent obesity. Be sure to restrict your Grey to parrot safe rooms whenever they are out of their cage and always supervise your Grey since they can get into mischief such as eating things they shouldn't, getting into fights with other pets, or knocking things over.
Dietary Needs
In the wild, the natural diet of African Grey parrots consists of a variety of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. While seed-based diets may seem like an obvious choice, these are not ideal since they allow birds to selectively separate the seeds they prefer, often leading to an imbalanced diet. High-quality formulated diets in crumble or pellet form should make up about 75% of your parrot's diet. These specially formulated foods prevent picking and can provide your flighty friend with a more complete, nutritionally balanced diet. Dark, leafy greens, fruits and vegetables should make up about 20 to 25% of your African Grey's diet, with treats being restricted to about 5% or less. Your parrot should always have fresh, clean water available as well.
African grey parrots are more prone to deficiency in vitamin-A/beta-carotene, and therefore benefit from eating vegetables high in beta-carotene, such as cooked sweet potato and fresh kale. Vitamin-D deficiency is another concern, especially for greys on a poor diet. Offering a balanced, pelleted diet, such as Nutri-Berries, for the main diet of an African grey helps prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
Cage Requirements
Your African Grey will need enough space inside their enclosure to fully spread their wings without touching the sides, and to move comfortably from perch to perch. The parrot's cage should be secure, clean, durable and constructed with non-toxic materials. Perches should be of variable heights, textures and widths. A concrete perch can help your Grey to maintain tidy toenails. Never place perches over water or food (to prevent contamination). but do place your Grey's enclosure in a safe, warm place clear of drafts, in indirect sunlight. Do not isolate your Grey, as these social birds like to be involved in their handler's daily life.
African grey parrots are highly intelligent, and so need lots of toys both inside and outside their cage to keep them entertained. These parrots love to chew on things so chewable leather toys, newspaper and cardboard to rip and foraging toys are all very popular. Ensure toys are regularly rotated.
Potential Health Issues
Grey parrots in captivity have been observed to be susceptible to fungal infections, bacterial infections, nutritional insufficiency, malignant tumors, psittacine beak and feather disease, tapeworms, and blood-worms. Young grey parrots are more commonly infected by psittacine beak and feather disease than adults. Grey parrots are more likely to have rhinitis, an inflammatory and infectious disease of the nasal cavity. Birds may exhibit signs such as wheezing, sneezing, nasal snuffling, and swelling or occlusion of the nares.
An African Grey Parrot with Toys.
Intelligence and Cognitive Abilities
Grey parrots are highly intelligent and are considered to be one of the most intelligent species of psittacines. Many individuals have been shown to perform some tasks at the cognitive level of a four- to six-year-old human child. Several studies have been conducted indicating a suite of higher-level cognitive abilities.
American scientist Irene Pepperberg's research with Alex the parrot showed his ability to learn more than 100 words, differentiating between objects, colours, materials and shapes. Pepperberg spent several decades working with Alex, and wrote numerous scientific papers on experiments performed, indicating the bird's advanced cognitive abilities. Alex could also understand the concepts of same and different, category, and could even count objects.
In addition to their striking cognitive abilities, grey parrots have displayed altruistic behaviour and concern for others. Researchers found that while blue-headed macaws were unlikely to share a nut with other members of their own species, grey parrots would actively give their conspecific partner a nut even if it meant they would not be able to get one themselves. When the roles were reversed, their partners were overwhelmingly likely to return the favour, forgoing their own nut to their partner's benefits.
Subspecies and Mutations
There are two distinct subspecies of the African grey parrot: the Congo African grey (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), also called the red-tailed grey and the CAG, and the Timneh African grey (Psittacus erithacus timneh), or TAG. The CAG is more popular of the two subspecies, being larger and having a scarlet tail and black beak. The TAG is smaller with a much darker gray body, nearly black, with a horn-colored beak, and its tail ranges in color from maroon to dark gray or black.
Grey mutations occur naturally in the wild, such as the Blue Ino (albino), the Incomplete Ino, and the Blue varieties. The Blue Ino is all white. The Incomplete Ino has light pigmentation. Due to selection by breeders, some captive grey parrots are partly or completely red.
Cost of Ownership
You should expect to pay anywhere from about $500 to $5000 for an African Grey Parrot depending on where you are getting your pet from. You should also be prepared to spend in the region of $75-$300 to purchase all the food, equipment, and goodies you will need for your new feathered friend.
Summary of African Grey Parrot Care and Lifespan
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Lifespan (Captivity) | 40-60 years (up to 80 years possible with optimal care) |
| Lifespan (Wild) | Approximately 23 years |
| Diet | 75% High-quality pellets, 20-25% Vegetables and fruits, Limited seeds and treats |
| Enrichment | Minimum 1 hour of interactive play and mental stimulation daily |
| Exercise | 2-3 hours of out-of-cage time daily |
| Veterinary Care | Annual or bi-annual check-ups with an avian vet |
| Potential Health Issues | Feather picking, respiratory illnesses, PBFD, nutritional deficiencies |
| Cost of Bird | $500 - $5000 |
| Initial Equipment Cost | $75 - $300 |
