African Grey Behavior

African grey parrots are intelligent birds that are known for their ability to talk and their popularity as pets. Before you purchase an African Grey, it is important to understand the bird's behavior.

  1. Identification

    • African greys are medium-size parrots, about 10 to 14 inches long, according to AvianWeb.com. They get their name for their grey plumage.

    Significance

    • African greys are intelligent parrots that need to be kept busy with toys and frequent attention. If an African grey grows bored, it might become destructive and even pick out its own feathers. Leaving a television or radio on near the cage while you are out can help keep an African grey from becoming bored.

    Effects

    • African greys become more particular as they age, making introducing new toys and settings difficult sometimes. According to It's a Grey's World, it is important to "pattern" them to accept new things at a young age. What this means is expose your parrot to many new things like car trips, new objects, different rooms around the house so they can adapt to change more easily as they age.

    Playing

    • African greys consider any item to be a toy and will chew on just about anything. Make sure the parrot is supervised at all times and keep valuable and hazardous items away from him.

    Considerations

    • Like most parrots, African greys live a long lifespan. According to AvianWeb, African greys typically live 60 years or more, requiring quite a commitment for a pet owner.