Grey Parrot

Overview

The grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus), also known as the Congo grey parrot, is a medium to large African parrot. It typically weighs around 400-526 g and measures about 33 cm in length, with a wingspan of 46-52 cm. Its plumage is predominantly grey with a striking red tail, and adults have distinctive yellow irises around dark pupils.

Native to equatorial Africa, grey parrots favour dense forests but can also be found at forest edges and in savanna forests. In captivity, they can live for an impressive 40-60 years, so bringing one home is a very long-term commitment. Their history as a companion bird stretches all the way back to ancient Egypt, around 2000 BC.

Temperament & behaviour

Grey parrots are widely regarded as one of the most intelligent bird species, with many individuals performing cognitive tasks at the level of a four- to six-year-old human child. They can learn number sequences, associate voices with faces, and have even been known to invent new words for objects they do not know the name of.

They are highly social birds that rely on a flock-type structure, even in captivity. Much of their remarkable speech and vocal ability develops through interaction with the people they live with. They use contact calls to communicate location, safety, and to form strong bonds with their human housemates.

Grey parrots are also known for their altruistic side - research has shown they will actively share food with a companion even if it means going without themselves. They can be sensitive and may become distressed without enough social interaction and mental stimulation, so they thrive best with plenty of attention and enrichment.

Care basics

A varied diet is important for a healthy grey parrot. In captivity they can be fed bird pellets alongside a range of fruits such as pear, orange, pomegranate, apple, and banana, and vegetables including carrot, cooked sweet potato, celery, fresh kale, green beans, and peas. They also need a reliable source of calcium.

Because grey parrots are highly intelligent and social, they need extensive behavioural enrichment and regular interaction to stay happy. Social isolation causes stress and can speed up aging, so making sure your bird has plenty of company and mental stimulation is just as important as a good diet.

Grey parrots are notorious mimics and will cheerfully copy noises from their environment - so be prepared for a very vocal household companion!

Health awareness

Grey parrots can be prone to a number of health concerns that owners should be aware of. These include fungal and bacterial infections, nutritional insufficiency, psittacine beak and feather disease, tapeworms, and blood-worms. Signs to watch for generally include loss of appetite, fluffy feathers, sluggishness, or reduced movement.

Rhinitis - an inflammatory condition of the nasal cavity - is also more common in grey parrots than in many other species. Signs can include wheezing, sneezing, nasal snuffling, and swelling around the nostrils. If you notice any of these, a visit to an avian vet is a sensible next step.

Feather plucking is a common sign of distress in captive grey parrots, affecting up to 40% of individuals. This is often linked to a lack of social interaction or mental stimulation rather than a physical illness, so keeping your bird engaged and well-companioned is key to their wellbeing. Always consult an avian vet if you have any concerns about your bird's health.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

Fun facts

An escaped pet grey parrot in Japan was reunited with its owner after the bird repeated the owner's name and address to the people who found it - a real-life example of just how impressive their memory can be.

In the wild, two grey parrots recorded while roosting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had a repertoire of over 200 different calls, including nine imitations of other wild bird songs and even one impression of a bat.

The famous research parrot Alex, studied by American scientist Irene Pepperberg, could identify more than 100 words, tell objects apart by colour, material, and shape, and even showed an understanding of the concept of zero - a skill shared with young children and apes.

A group of eight grey parrots at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in England became so notorious for swearing that in January 2024 keepers moved them into a flock of over 100 birds to try to dilute their colourful language!

Source

Adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_parrot