All About Gray African Parrots

Gray African Parrots are medium sized birds which are famous for being particularly good talkers. Maybe this is why these parrots have been prized pets for almost 4000 years.

It is said that there are hieroglyphics to prove that the Egyptians kept the African gray parrot as pets and these intelligent birds were popular with the Greeks and Romans also.  So, if you choose a Gray African Parrot you will be continuing in the royal tradition of people like King Henry VIII.

Gray African Parrots are about 13 to 16 inches long and have a wingspan of 18 to 20 inches. They weigh about a pound. They have distinctive gray feathers, white patches around the eyes, and bright red tail feathers. The bill is dark gray and curved.

This species of parrots has been studied extensively and scientific tests have been conducted that prove their native intelligence and this is seen as being on par with dolphins and chimpanzees.

It has even been demonstrated that Gray African Parrots possess cognitive ability as they associate specific human words with meanings; they are also able to apply abstract concepts such as shape, color, number etc.

There are two sub-species of this type of parrot and these are the Congo African Gray and the Timneh African Gray.  Congo African Grays are found to learn speech slowly and they start only in their second or third year while the Timnehs make an earlier start.

The intelligence and sociability of Gray African Parrots makes them attractive as pets. This, of course, comes with the implicit understanding that these birds need social interaction and mental stimulation.

Pet owners who choose Gray African Parrots ensure that they have one-on-one time with their birds and allow them enough room for exercise and activity.

It is recommended that these birds be housed in cages large enough for them to spread their wings and that they have enough room to walk around.

It is also a good idea to allow the birds a chance to see varied things so that they are visually stimulated and not isolated.

Ideally, the cage should be longer than taller. It can be placed in an alcove or with walls protecting it on one or two sides to give the bird a sense of security.

Gray African Parrots enjoy shredding paper and these make cheap toys that are easy to replace. It is best to use plain black and white newspaper.

Gray African Parrots have to be socialized properly and sensitively from a young age as they do not take well to abrupt changes. A pet owner will do well to handle the transition from store to home with care and recreate the store environment in terms of feeding patterns and slowly introduce changes.

An emotionally impacted Gray African Parrot can develop diseases and other problems such as feather plucking.

Since the species is a native of the African continent and gets a lot of sunlight in the wild, it is found that it is a good idea to allow them plenty of time in the sun.  Otherwise, over time the feathers tend to grow dull.

Gray African Parrots should be fed with an awareness of their dietary needs. While these are not complex, a pet owner with awareness will ensure that they get adequate calcium and Vitamin A as deficiencies in these frequently lead to older birds getting health issues.

Commercial pellets with balanced nutrition and veterinarian recommended supplements should take care of all the basic needs.  Green vegetables and regular amounts of protein can ensure a balanced diet for Gray African Parrots.

Given that these parrots are notorious as picky about taking to new foods, it is best to train your bird with varied food items while they are young.

These birds with their sharp intelligence, ability to mimic noises and learn words make for interactive and sociable pets. So, if you seek a rewarding experience as a pet owner you should definitely consider Gray African Parrots.