African Grey Parrot

The African Grey (Psittacus erithacus) is renowned as one of the most intelligent parrot species, with cognitive abilities comparable to a 5-year-old child. These medium-sized parrots (33-40 cm) feature stunning grey plumage with a distinctive red tail (Congo) or maroon tail (Timneh). Known for exceptional mimicry skills, they can learn 1000+ words and understand contextual speech. African Greys require intense mental stimulation (3+ hours daily), a calcium-rich diet, and low-stress environments to prevent feather plucking. Their lifespan of 40-60 years demands long-term commitment.

Category Details
Subspecies • Congo (larger, red tail)
• Timneh (darker, maroon tail)
Diet 70% pellets
20% veggies (kale, sweet potato)
10% fruits (berries, papaya)
Intelligence • Understands concepts like shape/color
• Solves complex puzzles
Housing Min. 36″W × 48″D × 60″H cage
Requires 3+ perches of varying widths
Health Risks • Calcium deficiency
• Feather plucking
• Aspergillosis
Noise Level Moderate (mimics household sounds)
AFRICAN GRAY CARE GUIDE

🦜 African Grey Parrot Care Guide

Complete care instructions for your intelligent companion

AFRICAN GREY QUICK FACTS
Scientific Name Psittacus erithacus (Congo) / Psittacus timneh (Timneh)
Size 33-40 cm (13-16 in)
Weight 400-650g
Lifespan 40-60 years
Intelligence Comparable to a 5-year-old child

🌞 Daily Care

  • Mental Stimulation: Minimum 3 hours of interaction/training
  • Diet: 70% pellets, 20% vegetables, 10% fruits/nuts
  • Foraging: Provide 2+ puzzle toys rotated daily
  • Water: Change twice (they often dunk food)

📅 Weekly Care

  • Cage Deep Clean: Disinfect all surfaces
  • Bathing: Offer spray shower 3x/week
  • Toy Rotation: Replace 50% of toys
  • Weight Check: Healthy range: 400-650g

AFRICAN GREY DIET PLAN
Food Type Frequency Examples
Pellets Daily (70%) Harrisons, TOP’s (calcium-rich)
Vegetables Daily (20%) Kale, sweet potato, bell peppers
Fruits 3x/week (10%) Papaya, pomegranate, berries
Calcium Sources Daily Cuttlebone, mineral blocks

❗ Special Needs

  • Calcium: Prone to deficiency (provide cuttlebone)
  • Feather Plucking: Common when stressed/bored
  • Noise Sensitivity: Startles easily – avoid loud sounds
  • Dust: Produces powder down – needs air filtration

💡 Expert Tips

  • Cage Size: Minimum 36″W × 48″D × 60″H
  • UV Lighting: Essential if kept indoors
  • Training: Use positive reinforcement (they’re sensitive)
  • Toys: Provide 10+ toys (wood, leather, puzzles)