Classifications of African Grey Parrots

African grey parrots are medium-sized birds with three subspecies found in the rain forests of Central and West Africa. They are highly intelligent and are often labeled as high-strung and neurotic due to their intelligence and overall sensitivity. The intelligence of these birds has been compared to that of a 5-year-old child. Their diet consists primarily of palm nuts, seeds, fruit and leaves, though they also can eat small snails. Their gentle nature and ability to mimic human speech has made them household pets. African greys must be entertained if kept as pets; otherwise they begin to pluck out all of their feathers.

  1. Congo African Grey

    • Also called the red-tailed grey, the Congo African grey is the largest of the subspecies of African grey parrots. Average weight is between 1 and 3 pounds, and average height is between 12 and 14 inches. Male Congo greys are a darker gray color with large beaks and flat, square heads. The females are lighter gray and can be silvery and whiteish in color. The females' heads are rounder with smaller beaks. Congo grey beaks are black in color and tails are bright red. The feathers on the head have dashes of white. Young Congo African greys have dark gray tips on their tail feathers. The eyes of these birds are surrounded by bare white skin.

    Ghana Grey Parrot

    • Ghana grey parrots or West Congo greys/Princeps African greys are similar to Congo African greys though they are smaller in size and have slightly darker plumage. Ghana greys originated from the islands of Principe and Fernando Poa in the Gulf of Guinea. There is some dispute about the continued existence of the Ghana grey due to interbreeding with Congo African greys, though these birds most likely always interbred. Distinctions between the two species were always minor.

    Timneh

    • Timnehs are the other predominant African Grey subspecies. They are smaller birds averaging 9 to 11 inches in height and .5 to 1 pound in weight. Timnehs are dark gray birds with shades of lighter gray throughout the body. Bare white skin surrounds the eyes. The beaks of Timnehs are pinkish to reddish in color and the tails are dark maroon or brownish colored. Timnehs can be found in four countries in West Africa: Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone and the west Ivory Coast. Timnehs are good talkers according to the Grey Play Round Table website and are less neurotic than the other species of African greys.