About African Grey Parrots As Pets

African grey parrots have been kept as pets for more than 4,000 years. The Egyptians are thought to have been the first to domesticate African grey parrots as pets, there is also evidence that the Romans and ancient Greeks kept African grey parrots. Even Henry VIII had one as a pet.

  1. Appearance

    • The African grey parrot grows to about 12 inches (30 cm) in length. The bird is mainly gray with white markings and a red or maroon tail. African grey parrots have four toes on each foot--two at the front and two at the back.

    Intelligence

    • African grey parrots are psittaciformes, this group of birds are generally regarded as being the most intelligent. The intelligence of the African grey parrot stands out within this group; it is believed to have evolved relatively advanced cognitive abilities as a consequence of its history of cooperative feeding on the ground in central Africa.

    Subspecies

    • There are two subspecies of African grey parrot, the Timneh African grey parrot, (Psittacus erithacus timneh) and the Congo African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). Congo African grey parrots are larger birds with red tails and black beaks. Timneh African grey parrots are smaller in size and have a darker charcoal grey coloring, a maroon tail and a lighter-colored beak.

    Diet

    • For an African grey parrot to stay healthy, it has to receive a nutritious diet. If the bird is not fed correctly the bird may suffer from poor health, lethargy, self-mutilation, persistent screeching, hyperactivity and nonreplacement of feathers. The foundation of a pet African grey parrot's diet should be pellet food, and this should be supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables as well as proteins. African gray parrots are prone to calcium deficiency; calcium levels must be checked once a year by a vet, and the bird should be fed calcium-rich foods such as spinach and kale.

    Cage

    • African grey parrots should not be kept in a round cage--this is known to cause the bird psychological and orientation problems. The bars of the parrot's cage should not be wide enough for the bird to fit his head between as it may get trapped. The larger the bird's cage, the happier and healthier the bird will be. If you have purchased a young African grey parrot you should replace the hard wood perch in the cage with a softer, less smooth wood. By doing so your bird will learn to climb more quickly.