African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) enjoys great popularity and love of bird lovers all over the world due to its exceptional imitative aptitude. Some species are even known to pick up hundreds of words and even speak in sentences, which has aroused debates over their linguistic and cognitive abilities. Although it is doubtful that these birds can understand the meanings of the words they pronounce, their imitative skills and intelligence place them high above other existing parrot species, to say nothing of other birds. Massive importation of these birds has resulted in a drastic decline in their wild population. Today, these parrots are listed as endangered and there are strict restrictions on African Grey Parrot trade. The U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 prohibits the importation of this bird.

There are two most famous subspecies of African Grey Parrot: the Congo African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) and the Timneh African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh). The former is larger in size (about 12 inches long), featuring a black beak, light grey feathering and bright red tail. The latter is a little smaller, with darker feathering, lighter upper mandible and brownish-red tail.

The history of their domestication goes back to ancient times, when many Egyptian, Greek and Roman nobilities and wealthy people, enchanted by the bird’s knack for talking, kept African Grey Parrots as pets. Today, they do retain their popularity, their speaking gift still being the most endearing and plausible reason for their undying popularity. They make great family companions, but require a lot of attention and self-sacrifice. African Grey Parrots seem to have a mind of their own, and can be aggressive at times. Because they have very strong beaks and sharp claws, they have a painful bite and can lend a bad scratch, and hence they are not recommended for families with small children.

African Grey Parrots tend to be one-person pets, and they are usually reserved with strangers. For this reason, young birds should be socialized properly. These parrots cannot do without interaction and they have zero tolerance for boredom or neglect. It is absolutely imperative that their mental abilities be stimulated throughout lifetime by aid of various toys. These birds enjoy all sorts of activity and love to watch their owners doing household jobs. Therefore, it is recommended to place cages in the busiest part of home.

Proper feeding is the core of any bird’s physical and mental health. As for the African Grey Parrot, they require a balanced diet aimed at prevention of calcium deficiency, to which many parrots are susceptible. Ratio is best outlined with the help of a qualified veterinarian and it should be regulated throughout lifetime according to yearly calcium level check results. These pets appreciate pelleted foods, but they also benefit from natural food, rich in calcium, such as mustard greens, spinach, broccoli, etc. Captive African Grey Parrots have a remarkably long life span – over 60 years.