Types of Gray Pet Birds

Birds can make for an entertaining pet. Many of them speak, and they are the only animal other than humans that can do so. While they can't communicate in words, they can mimic what you say to them or what they hear on your speakers. Each species of bird often comes in a variety of colors, but some appear more often in a particular tone.

  1. African Grey Perrot

    • African grey parrots were introduced by the Egyptians as pets more than 4,000 years ago. Archaeologists found the parrot documented in ancient hieroglyphics. Romans and Greeks are also known to have kept parrots in their homes. In fact, the Romans kept the birds in very ornamented cages. King Henry VIII also possessed one. The bird is considered one of the more intelligent members of the avian family, as they are quite talkative. According to enchantedlearning.com, the African Gey has perhaps the best vocabulary out of any pet bird.

    Button Quail

    • The button quail is the smallest bird in the quail family, at roughly four inches long. The species originated in India, Southeast Asia and Australia. Expect female types of this bird to live as little as 18 months. With better nutrition, the female can survive for three to four years. Male button quails live on average to four or five years, with some being reported to live nine years. These quails either adore you as their owner and follow you around, or they will stick to socializing with other quails. If your quail appears like it doesn't enjoy your company, you should get it a fellow quail, according to cyberquail.com.

    Cockatiel

    • Cockatiels enjoy social interaction. Male are more vocal than females, but they both have tremendous vocal abilities, including knowing how to speak. The male cockatiel is much more involved in raising its young than the female, who focuses mainly on laying eggs. The male will fend off predator birds to protect his young. If a mother is killed or injured, the father will step in and assume all the parenting roles, including feeding.

    Society Finch

    • The society, or bengalese, finch comes in a variety of colors, including gray. Unlike any other finch, the society species exists only in captivity, according to zebrafinch.com. The true ancestry of the bird is unknown, though it is believed they originated in Japan. The bird can grow to between four and five inches. Their color combinations are endless, but they usually consist of gray, white and brown. These birds are extremely social and should, therefore, be housed in groups.