Choosing a new bird for your family is a significant decision, and understanding the differences between various species is crucial. Among the popular choices are African Grey parrots and Macaws. Both are intelligent and captivating birds, but they possess distinct traits that make them suitable for different lifestyles.
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.
The genus name is Latin for "parrot". The Clements Checklist classifies the Príncipe grey parrot as a subspecies of the grey parrot. P. e. Príncipe grey parrot (P. e.
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. Grey parrots may live for 40-60 years in captivity, although their mean lifespan in the wild appears to be shorter - approximately 23 years.
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.
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Current estimates for the global population are uncertain and range from 630,000 to 13 million birds. 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. 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. 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. 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.
In 2021, the Kenyan government held a short amnesty, during which grey parrot owners could pay a fee to obtain a permit for their birds and facilitate legal ownership. Grey parrots are notorious for mimicking noises heard in their environment and using them tirelessly. They are highly intelligent birds, needing extensive behavioural and social enrichment as well as extensive attention in captivity or else they may become distressed.
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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.
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.
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.
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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.
A 2012 study demonstrated that captive grey parrots have individual musical preferences. Some research has shown that foot preference can be linked to the number of words a particular parrot may know and use.
In two murder trials, there was consideration to use the deceased victim's pet grey parrot's "testimony" as evidence due to the parrot's witnessing and repeating the victim's last words. In the 1993 murder trial of Gary Joseph Rasp, the defendant was accused of murdering Jane Gill. Public defender Charles Ogulnik wanted to use Jane's pet grey parrot Max to prove Gary's innocence, due to Max repeating Jane's last words, "Richard, no, no, no!".
In the 2017 murder trial of Glenna Duram, the defendant was accused of murdering her husband Martin Duram. 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. Breeders from South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and Scandinavia have bred grey parrots intensively since the 1800s. These bred varieties include the Red Pied, F2 Pied, Grizzles, Ino, Incomplete, Parino, Lutino, Cinnamon, and Red Factor.
South African bird breeder Von van Antwerpen and New Zealand partner Jaco Bosman selected F2 Pieds and created the first Red Factor Greys.
To make an informed decision, consider the following aspects:
- Personal Preferences: What traits do you value most in a companion parrot?
- Living Situation: Do you live in a small apartment or a house? What is the noise level like in your environment?
- Commitment Level: Are you prepared to provide the necessary time, attention, and care for a highly intelligent bird?
- Tolerance: What kinds of sounds are you able to tolerate? Can you sit still for extended periods while your bird requires cuddles?
Here's a detailed look at the characteristics of each bird:
African Grey Parrots
Greys are normally sweet, talkative, impressively intelligent, easy to get along with, trustworthy and lovely companions. They are known for their exceptional intelligence and ability to mimic sounds and speech. Some love to talk and make sounds all day long. They are emotionally deep and intelligent, often described as being like a calm child.
A Grey can be very playful and can be very funny if it is socialized well. I've heard all sorts of funny stories of Greys acting like clowns. They are easy to read, they talk with their body very well if your willing to listen.
However, they can be sensitive and may initially treat new situations, people, or objects with suspicion. While some Greys can be cuddly, it is not typical for the breed. They seem to prefer a calmer environment and most prefer talking and head scratches to dancing around, cuddles and playing like cockatoos do. They can learn to tolerate and live with a lot if conditioned from an early age.
Care considerations for African Grey Parrots include:
- Dust: African Greys are known to produce dust, so regular bathing is necessary.
- Environment: They thrive in a calm environment.
- Social Needs: They require extensive behavioral and social enrichment.
- Training: Their intelligence requires ongoing mental stimulation and training.
Macaws
Macaws are gentle giants who can be silly and love playing, but are much calmer/more relaxed than a cockatoo. Macaws are often described as gentle giants. They love attention and cuddles.
DON’T buy a Macaw!!! Unless... || Mikey The Macaw
Macaws are generally cuddlers if they get handled. Mini macs generally aren't pluckers... HOWEVER what happens when a macaw doesn't get enough attention is, THEY GET MAD. They are more likely to "pluck you" at that point...
They are known for their vibrant personalities and can be very playful. They seem to me like better mimics than cockatoos but aren't as chatty as greys. They also seem to have a comparable call to a cockatoo, but louder or smoother?
Care considerations for Macaws include:
- Attention: Macaws require a lot of attention and can become destructive if neglected.
- Space: Due to their size, they need a large living space.
- Noise: Macaws have loud calls.
Here's a table summarizing the key differences between African Grey Parrots and Macaws:
| Feature | African Grey Parrot | Macaw |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence | High | High |
| Talkativeness | High; excellent mimic | Moderate; better mimic than cockatoos |
| Affection | Moderate; some can be cuddly | High; loves cuddles |
| Noise Level | Moderate; can mimic annoying sounds | High; loud calls |
| Environment | Prefers calm | More adaptable |
| Dust | High | Moderate |
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to spend time with sexually mature individuals of each species. Go find as many adult parrots as you can and spend time getting to know them. Interact with different adult birds of different species to gain a better perspective on their similarities and differences. Choose the bird who also chooses you.
