Information on Timneh African Greys

The Timneh African Grey is one of two officially recognized subspecies of Grey parrot, along with the Congo African Grey. Both species are naturally found in the central Congo basin area of Africa, where they feed on a varied diet of local seeds, fruits and nuts. The Timneh is slightly smaller than the Congo, with a buff-colored patch on the upper mandible (beak). Both subspecies are gray with relatively short red to maroon tails, and can live for up to 60 years or more.

  1. Pet Trade and Importation

    • The Timneh African Grey has been historically less popular than its larger cousin. This has much more to do with availability of pet-bred chicks than any temperamental differences between the subspecies; a many more Congo Greys were initially captured and imported for the pet market, and since the trade of wild-caught birds has been made illegal, Timneh numbers have taken more time to rise. Nowadays, the birds are becoming more popular, and pets are more easily obtainable.

    Breeding

    • Like many other parrot species, Timneh African Greys mate for life with a carefully selected partner. In the wild, the pair select a hollowed tree trunk off the ground to use as a nest, though they readily accept L-shaped breeder boxes in captivity. The birds lay 2 to 5 eggs in each clutch, which the female incubates for roughly 28 days prior to hatching. During this time, the male brings her all of her food directly to the nest opening. Chicks are cared for by both parents until they wean, sometimes as long as 18 weeks.

    Behavior and Intelligence

    • African Greys are considered by many to be the most intelligent of all birds, a reputation helped along by their extraordinary speech and mimicking ability. A well-trained Grey can easily obtain a vocabulary in the hundreds of words, and the birds have a knack for both problem solving and cause-effect relationships. Timnehs have been known to learn the sounds of doorbells, phones and alarms in order to get their owner's attentio, and can put together words to create unique sentences that help convey their needs or wants. They are inquisitive, playful and observant birds.

    Captive Care

    • Naturally, the Timneh's exceptional intelligence means that they must be kept busy and stimulated in order to be happy. A large, roomy cage with an ample supply of rotating toys is a requirement. High quality pelleted diets should be fed, heavily supplemented with fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, pastas and other snacks. Timnehs have the reputation of being shyer than their larger cousins, but with proper socialization, they can be even more boisterous and attention-loving.

    Potential Problems

    • Like many other parrots, Timnehs can be prone to behavioral issues if not properly socialized or stimulated. Feather plucking, screaming and destructive behavior can develop if the bird becomes unhappy, and often these habits can be difficult to eradicate once started. African Greys in general are not known as "child friendly birds," not because they are mean or aggressive, but because they can be prone to startling around fast moving children. Prevention, as with most parrots, is the key to avoiding problems.