What Are the Types of African Grey Parrots?

The African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is an intelligent, average-sized bird native to the rainforests of Central and West Africa. They are popular as pets because of their ability to mimic sounds and their gentle nature. African grey parrots can imitate the calls of other species of birds and even human speech. They feed on seeds, leafy matter and fruit. There several types of African grey parrots

  1. Congo African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus)

    • They often mimic sounds.

      The Congo African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) is the nominate grey parrot subspecies. They have cherry red tails, light grey feathers and a black beak. Congo African Grey Parrots are about 33 cm (13 inches) long, and they usually moult for the first time before they are 18 months. Congo African Grey Parrots generally start out with gray irises, which usually change to a pale yellow color within their first year. Congo African Grey Parrots are also sometimes referred to as "CAG," and they are predominant in south-eastern Ivory Coast to Western Kenya, the islands of Principe and Bikolo, Southern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Northern Angola.

    Timneh African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh)

    • Grey parrots are gregarious.

      The Timneh African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh) or African Grey Timneys have darker grey feathers and are smaller than the Congo African Grey Parrots. The upper mandible of the beak is usually totally or partially bone colored, and their tail is a dark maroon or red color. Domesticated Timnehs usually start learning how to speak earlier than Congos. They also adapt better and quicker than the Congos and are less nervous around strangers. Timney African Grey Parrots are native to the Upper Guinea Forests of West Africa in countries like Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau all the way through Southern Mali and parts or Ivory Coast. The Timneh African Grey Parrot is also called a "TAG."

    Other Subspecies

    • Grey parrots eat seeds, leafy matter and fruit.

      Even though there are only two recognized subspecies: the nominate African Grey (Psittacus, erithacus, erithacus or the red tail) and the Timneh African Grey (Psittacus, erithacus, timneh or the maroon tail), there are aviculturalists who recognize two other subspecies. The Ghana African Grey or Princeps African Grey is similar to the Congo African Grey, only smaller and darker with origins from principe islands. The other subspecies is the Cameroon African Grey, which is larger than the Congo African Grey with origins from the Democratic Republic of Congo. The only difference seems to be a regional difference in size and shades of grey.