Breed Spotlight: African Grey

March 2015 AAV Bird Club News Release This article is for the use of member clubs only and is protected by U.S. Copyright laws. Use by any group or organization not currently enrolled in the AAV Bird Club News Release Program, is strictly prohibited. Breed Spotlight: African Grey By: Carol Hurst, RVT; Photo by: Miriam B. Walling African grey parrots are among the smartest of the companion bird species. They bond strongly with their owners and are inquisitive by nature. Fun Facts: The African grey parrot originates from the Congo in Africa. There are two species of African grey parrots: the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African grey. The Timneh parrots are from Upper Guinea and some of the other western regions of Africa. Comparatively, the Timneh is smaller and darker with a darker red (rather than the crimson of the Congo African grey) tail feathers. The oldest African grey, Tarbu, passed away a couple of years ago. He was 55 and lived in the United Kingdom with his 85 year-­‐old owner. According to the owner, he liked watching soap operas and would let her know that someone was at the door by yelling her name since she couldn’t hear the doorbell. The most famous African grey parrot, Alex, was said to possess the cognitive abilities comparable to marine mammals, apes and 4-­‐6 year old children. He could label 50 different objects, 7 colors, 5 shapes and quantities to 6. Appearance: African grey parrots are a medium-­‐sized bird with mostly grey to dark grey feathers. Tail feathers can vary from red to dark red. The skin around their eyes is covered with delicate white feathers. Solid black beaks complete their face. Their eyes are also dark and have been described as being lit with inquisitive intelligence. They excrete a “dust” from their feathers that often gathers at the bottom of their cage, requiring diligent cleanliness practices. Natural Habitat: In the wild, the African grey feeds on fruits, nuts, bark, flowers, leaves and insects. As in most companion bird species, humans continue to remain their biggest threat. Between harvesting of wild birds and a loss of habitat, their numbers are in decline. They are considered a vulnerable species. Their habitats are typically moist, lowland forests however they are also found at forest clearings, mangroves, wooded savannahs and cultivated areas. Personality: African greys are intelligent and inquisitive. They require a lot of enrichment to keep their ever-­‐
working minds occupied and to help prevent behavioral issues. A correct diet is imperative as they are prone to obesity and other health problems when fed incorrectly. They can also be sensitive and demanding of their owners. They aren’t as inherently affectionate as cockatoos though they do prefer social interaction. African greys are prized for their talking abilities. They are often able to repeat words or phrases after hearing them once or twice. They reach full talking ability around a year of age, though most start talking earlier. Association of Avian Veterinarians Publication Office | 2205 W 136th Ave, Ste 106-­‐115 | Broomfield, CO 80023 720-­‐458-­‐4111 | fax 720-­‐398-­‐3496 | pubs@aav.org
African greys can make a wide variety of sounds and are excellent at mimicry. As skilled as they are in mimicking voices, they can also mimic everyday household sounds. Anyone interested in owning an African grey should talk to other long-­‐term African grey owners and sanctuary personnel to get input from those that are familiar with this type of bird. They are not considered a good choice for first-­‐time bird owners, however they can make wonderful pets if you are educated on the breed and their special needs. Sources: www.telegraph.co.uk http://www.lifewithalexmovie.com/ www.animaldiversity.org ###