The
African Grey Parrot comes from a broad area of Central Africa
and can have a lifespan of 50-70 years.
The Congo African Grey Parrot is a medium grey bird with shades
of light grey on the body, while Greys from Nigeria usually have
dark grey wings. The feathers on the head have brushed white edging.
The eye area is of bare white skin. A solid black beak and bright
red tail add the finishing touches. They vary in size from 12-14"
from beak to tail, also can vary in weight between 400-650 grams
depending on the frame of the individual bird. Greys from the
Congo region are, on average, larger in size.
African Greys are wonderful talkers, but do not think that these
birds are limited to speech only! They can mimic almost any sound
in your home. Although most grey's do not start talking until
a year in age, there are many cases where they will speak earlier.
Some greys don't start speaking until 2 years, so never give up
hope! They have the capacity to have a vocabulary of over 2000
words. However, do not use their speech ability as the only reason
for purchasing these great birds, especially since there is some
chance that they will never speak.
African
Grey's have the intellectual capacity of a 5 year old child with
the emotions of a 2 year old. Because of this higher intelligence,
they can be demanding pets. They require constant attention along
with a stimulating environment that includes various types of
toys, a large cage and a play-stand.
Generally speaking, Grey's are cautious birds. They tend to not
be very outgoing towards strangers. Then are very intuitive to
your feelings and it is always best to approach them with a calm
demeanor. Once you win the trust of an African Grey, he/she will
be your best friend for life. They are very dedicated and loyal
birds.
A final word: although African Grey's are the most popular pet
parrot, they are not for everyone. They stand apart from the rest.
It's not easy being a caretaker of African Grey's or any parrot
for that matter. Lots of love, time, patience and effort goes
into the relationship.
