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All About Parrots


adult African Grey parrot
Adult African Grey

African Grey Subspecies



The only officially recognized races of African Grey Parrots are the "Congo Greys" (Psittacus erithacus) and "Timneh Greys" (Psittacus timneh).The Timneh was until recently considered a sub-species of the Congro Grey. However, in 2011, the Timneh and Congo Grey Parrot races were officially separated based on genetic, morphological, plumage and vocal differences. One criteria for splitting up the two species was the fact that these two species don't interbreed within their natural habitat. However, Congo Grey / Timneh Grey hybrids have occurred in captivity.

African Grey

Genus

Psittacus

Species

erithacus
African Grey Statistics
Races Size Adult Weight
P.e. erithacus
P.e. timneh		 33cm (12.8 in)
30cm (11.7 in)		 400g (14 oz)
320g (11.2 oz)

The African Grey Parrot is found in the primary and secondary rainforest of West and Central Africa. Experts regard it as one of the most intelligent birds in the world. It feeds primarily on palm nuts, seeds, fruits, and leafy matter, but has also been observed eating snails. The Grey's overall gentle nature and its inclination and ability to mimic speech has made it a popular pet, causing many to be captured from the wild and sold into the pet trade. The African Grey Parrot is listed on CITES Appendix II, which restricts trade of wild-caught species as wild populations are insufficient to sustain trapping for the pet trade

Adult Colour


P.e. erithacus: both adults grey in colour with grey/white scalloping to feathers; flight feathers darker grey; red tail and lower undertail coverts. Bill black. Eye grey.
P.e. timneh: both adults dark grey in colour, paler on rump and abdomen; dark grey lower undertail coverts tinged with dark red; dark burgundy tail, the feathers edged with brown. Upper mandible dark red tipped with black, lower mandible black; smaller in size.

Juvenile Colour


As in adults but with grey tinged lower undertail coverts; tail tipped with red. Eye dark grey to black.

Call


Variety of whistles, squawks, shrieks, and screams given at rest and in flight; mimics other birds, and mammals.

Hear the African Grey here »

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