One of the most beautiful and among the easier species of parrot to keep is the African Grey Parrot. Originating from central Africa, they are highly intelligent and known for their exceptional talking and cognitive ability. African Greys are capable of developing a large vocabulary and may be able to communicate well with their owners.
They are a medium-sized parrot growing to be about 10 to 14 inches in length. There are two different types of African Grey parrots. The Congo African Grey is light grey and has a red tail. The Timneh African Grey is a darker charcoal grey with a maroon tail. Typically the males are larger then the females. The males can be 12 to 14 inches in length. Although the appearances of both sexes are the same, Female African Grey parrots normally have a narrower head and a more slender neck.
When considering the purchase of an African Grey Parrot as a pet, it is important to be aware of its background. Knowing whether it comes from the wild or comes from a breeder is essential. The African Grey Parrot will be easier to train and handle if purchased from a reputable breeder that has integrated hand feeding or hand rearing. Hand rearing is the feeding the baby African Grey Parrot from birth to 10-12 weeks of age while handling them. This will ensure that the African Grey bonds with their human owners and are completely tame. This will give the parrot an easy start to mimic and speech training.
These parrots also need an owner who can make a long term commitment to them. African Greys have a long lifespan and can live up to 60 years. Because of their high intelligence, African Greys require an owner that is experienced and who can understand their needs. They can easily become bored so, a stimulating and interactive environment is a must. Without their intellectual needs met African Greys might turn their boredom into behavioral problems like feather picking. Since they are such sensitive birds they can also behavioral problems. It’s possible that even a small change in their daily routine or in their surroundings can lead an African Grey parrot to become cranky or show signs of self mutilation. Although they are typically well behaved and a great pet these birds do not come without a few challenges. African Greys that are undisciplined can get into trouble. They might chew wires or bite. They pick up behaviors very quickly so if you inadvertently reinforce bad habits in your African Grey, you can also easily teach them good ones.
Proper research and understanding the full commitments required in owning an African Gray Parrot is important. Some say that training of and caring for an African Gray Parrot is similar to raising a small child. They can be challenging, demanding, and frustrating to care for at times, but the rewards, entertainment, and love that you will receive back from an African Gray Parrot will well outweigh the cons. Devotion, patience, and love for an African Gray Parrot will enhance the lives of its owners for a lifet
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