Interesting Facts About African Greys

The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is extremely intelligent and sociable. These traits, combined with their gift for mimicry, make them highly sought after as pets. The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology notes that African grey parrots are among the most harvested species of wild bird in the world, with just under 360,000 individuals removed from their native habitat in the years spanning from 1994 to 2003.

  1. Identification

    • Although not as colorful as some other species of parrots, African grey parrots are nevertheless visually distinctive. African grey parrots range from light gray to almost charcoal in color and have bright crimson tail feathers. African grey parrots are medium-sized parrots, normally averaging around 13 inches from head to tail.

    Geography

    • African grey parrots are native to central and western Africa and to the islands of Principe and São Tomé. Their continental range extends from Guinea-Bissau to Kenya and to Angola in the south.

      African grey parrots prefer lowland forests throughout their range,but are occasionally seen at higher elevations. They can be found in mangrove forests, forest edges and wooded savannas, as well as in areas where oil palms grow.

    Diet

    • In the wild, the diet of African grey parrots is composed mainly of nuts, fruits and seeds. They occasionally eat bark, leafy matter and small insects as well. African grey parrots sometimes travel to areas where food is more readily available, and some make seasonal migrations in search of food.

      In captivity, African grey parrots are generally fed a mixture of food pellets, seeds and fresh fruits and vegetables, according to Petco.

    Health and Longevity

    • The University of Michigan Museum of Zoology suggests that African grey parrots can live 45 years in captivity, up to 60 years in some extreme cases. African greys are typically fairly healthy but may exhibit signs of Chlamydiosis, intestinal parasites or proventricular dilation disease. Pet owners should watch their parrots for changes in behavior, unusual discharges from the eyes or nose, changes in stool, coughing and swelling in the beak. If an African grey parrot demonstrates these symptoms, owners should seek veterinary care.

    Behavior

    • African grey parrots are considered by many scientists to be among the most intelligent animals in the world, according to the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. African greys demonstrate complex cognitive abilities, including both learning and long-term memory, as well as being able to mimic sounds and inflections.

      Dr. Irene Pepperberg has done several famous experiments with an African grey named Alex. Alex has shown a cognitive capacity on par with that of apes, dolphins and young children of four or five years old. Alex has learned to use words to label and categorize his environment, as well as to make requests of those around him.