How Many Kinds of African Greys Are There?

The African Grey parrot is a member of the genus Psittacus, and there is only one species, erithacus. However, there are only two official subspecies, with a third disputed one as of 2011. Variations of this bird, such as Togo, Congo and Angola, refer to the indigenous region of the parrot rather than a subspecies. These are extremely social birds that are native to West and Central Africa but can be found as pets throughout the world due to their longevity and mimicking ability.

  1. Species: Psittacus Erithacus

    • Psittacus erithacus and both subspecies are distinguished by the different shades of grey and the characteristic red of the tail feathers. These parrots grow to be about 13 inches from head to tail and weigh up to about 15 oz. They have an average wingspan from about 18 inches up to more than 20 inches. These are very social birds that are very dedicated to the people of their affection.

    Subspecies: Psittacus Erithacus Erithacus

    • Known as the Congo or Red Tailed Grey, this was the first documented subspecies of P. e. erithacus. These birds specifically populate the territory between Kenya and the eastern border of the Ivory Coast. Their strong beaks are solid black, and their eyes are completely yellow in maturity. Both males and females are a lighter gray coloration and larger than P. timneh with a whitish scalloping to the body feathers; the tail feathers and undertail coverts are both bright red in this subspecies.

    Subspecies: Psittacus Erithacus Timneh

    • Wild African Greys have been exported as pets for years.

      The Timneh Grey inhabits the forests, mangroves, wooded savannahs and even some cultivated areas, such as gardens between the eastern borders of Ivory Coast to Guinea Bissau and southern Mali. The adults are a darker gray than P. e. erithacus, with a paler coloration on the belly and rump. The lower undertail coverts are dark gray tinged with dark burgundy or maroon. The eye area is bare white skin and the upper mandible is bone colored.

    Questionable Subspecies: Psittacus Erithacus Princeps

    • Also known as the Ghana African Grey, P. e. princeps is not a recognized subspecies of P. erithacus. These birds are believed to be colored darker and slightly smaller than the other subspecies and indigenous to the Fernando Po and Principe Islands. However, avian experts feel that if this subspecies ever truly existed, either due to breeding or migration from the islands to the mainland and back, it no longer holds enough distinction from P. e. erithacus to be a separate subspecies.