The African Grey parrot, a species that has captivated human interest since ancient times, is one of the most popular companion birds globally. However, despite its long association with humans, it remains one of the most misunderstood. This article delves into the complexities of the African Grey, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding beyond common anthropomorphism and generalizations. Drawing from extensive personal experience and scientific research, we explore their unique behaviors, social structures, and care requirements.
My Life with Greys
My personal journey with African Greys spans nearly three decades. My experience includes specializing in breeding them, successfully training them for free flight, rehabilitating numerous individuals, and offering behavioral consultations to address their complex needs. As a veterinary technician, I’ve provided care for a significant number of these birds. Since 1998, I have been actively sharing information about them, and currently, my home is shared with six African Greys – three females and three males.
Timneh vs. Congo African Greys
This guide primarily focuses on the Congo African Grey, also known as the Red-tailed Grey. Historically, the Timneh and Congo Greys were considered subspecies of Psittacus erithacus. However, in 2012, they were officially designated as two distinct species: Psittacus erithacus (Congo African Grey) and Psittacus timneh (Timneh African Grey). Despite this, some sources still refer to the older classification. My personal experience strongly supports this distinction, as I’ve observed significant behavioral differences between the two. Originating from different regions of Africa, they exhibit variations in coloring and behavior. Notably, Timneh Greys share more behavioral similarities with Poicephalus parrots than with their Congo counterparts.
Understanding the Species
The African Grey is an Old World parrot native to the equatorial regions of Africa. While challenging to study, observations indicate they inhabit dense rainforests, forest edges, gallery forests, mangroves, and cultivated areas. They prefer roosting in tall trees, often near water sources. Unlike many New World parrots, African Greys are highly social, congregating in large communal roosts that can house up to 10,000 individuals. Foraging expeditions involve smaller groups traveling significant distances, sometimes up to 10 kilometers. While several hundred pairs may nest in a single area, each monogamous pair claims its own nest cavity.
Young Greys fledge around 12 weeks of age and are fed by their parents for an additional four to five weeks. After becoming independent, they remain with their flock, benefiting from the guidance of older members. Family groups often stay together for several years. In the wild, Greys are exceptionally vocal, producing a wide array of sounds, including mimicry of other animals. Their vocalizations are most frequent at dawn and dusk, occurring both while perched and in flight, characterized by high-pitched whistles, shrieks, and screams.
Wild African Greys forage in both the forest canopy and on the ground, consuming oil palm fruit, flowers, seeds, berries, tree bark, snails, and insects. They have also been observed consuming mud and grasses. Anecdotal reports suggest they may also scavenge on carrion, though this is not widely documented in scientific literature.
The Appeal of African Greys as Pets
Several factors contribute to the popularity of African Greys as companion birds. Their remarkable talking ability is a primary reason, often accompanied by a documented high level of intelligence. Research, including the work of Irene Pepperberg, has showcased their cognitive capabilities. Beyond their intelligence and vocal skills, their discerning personalities and attunement to human emotions and body language are significant factors. This deep connection often makes them less likely to be relinquished to rescue organizations, as their interactions with their owners are profound and meaningful.
Vocal Prowess
The African Grey’s talent for mimicry is unparalleled. Many anecdotal accounts describe Greys using human language in correct context, even interacting with smart devices like Alexa. Their vocalizations, deeply ingrained from their wild tendency to communicate within large flocks, serve to strengthen social bonds. The exactness of their mimicry can be astonishing, often making it difficult to distinguish their sounds from the original. This innate drive to communicate, coupled with potential isolation in captivity, likely contributes to their advanced vocal skills. Interestingly, my personal observation suggests that flighted Greys who grow up with other Greys and have ample opportunity for natural communication may vocalize in human language less frequently, as they are more engaged with their flock through their natural calls. It is important to note that extensive talking does not always equate to happiness; it can also be a coping mechanism.
Social Dynamics
Congo Greys are often described as discerning, highly attuned to the emotions and body language of those around them, and possessing a keen sense of humor. Their intelligence can sometimes manifest as manipulative behavior, though this is a subjective interpretation based on experience. During my rehabilitation work with numerous surrendered parrots, I observed that Greys consistently paid more attention to my activities than other species, indicating a profound awareness of their human companions. This intense observation allows them to understand their owners on an intimate level, mirroring the sentiment that animals perceive our core emotions.
While described as monogamous, Greys often form a strong pair bond with a single human. However, my experience suggests their bonds can be relatively fluid. Unlike some parrot species that exhibit aggression towards other family members, I have rarely encountered such issues with Greys.
Greys tend to coexist best with other Old World parrots. While successful integration with all species is not guaranteed, they generally display better compatibility with cockatoos and Eclectus parrots than with New World parrots. Personal experience has necessitated the physical segregation of Old World and New World parrots in my home due to age-related territoriality. While cohabitation is possible, maintaining peaceful coexistence and careful introductions are paramount.
My experience with multiple Greys has been largely positive, with little inter-parrot conflict, unlike some Amazon or cockatoo species which can form intense pair bonds leading to aggression. In captivity, Congo Greys often show an affinity for each other, reflecting their social nature in the wild. Even young Greys, removed from their parents, have been observed interacting with and being cared for by older Greys in the flock. Introducing new adult Greys to established ones has generally resulted in peaceful integration, with minor adjustments to the social hierarchy. A peculiar observation is that while female Greys tend to tolerate each other, males often form strong bonds, sometimes exhibiting mating rituals. This preference for male companionship over female companionship has been consistently observed, even with visiting male Greys. Considering this, adopting two Greys might be beneficial, providing them with companionship beyond human interaction. Scientific evidence supports this, as one study found that single-housed Greys had significantly shorter telomeres (chromosome caps related to aging) compared to those housed in pairs.
Physical Well-being
African Greys are susceptible to several serious health issues in captivity. Atherosclerosis, a lifestyle-related disease influenced by diet and lack of exercise, is a significant concern. They are also prone to vitamin A and D deficiencies, and hypocalcemia (low calcium levels), which can lead to neurological symptoms like seizures in adults and bone development issues in young birds. Seed-heavy diets are often implicated in these deficiencies.
Interestingly, research suggests that exposure to UV-B light can improve calcium levels, potentially due to their wild habitat in shaded areas with ample sunlight. My observations in outdoor aviaries showed Greys spending significantly more time in direct sunlight compared to New World parrots, with one even observed sunbathing with wings spread. This reinforces the idea that UV-B light is crucial for their health.
Feather-damaging behavior is another common distress for owners. This complex issue can stem from various factors, including poor early life experiences, lack of foraging or bathing opportunities, insufficient exercise, limited sunlight exposure, lack of mental stimulation, over-dependence on the owner, malnutrition, and underlying medical conditions. Chronic stress also plays a role, with studies showing a link between feather damaging behavior and stress hormone levels. My successful interventions for this issue suggest that liberty, outdoor time, and balanced social interaction are primary contributors to a Grey’s mental well-being. Restoring feather condition has often been achieved by providing environments that allow for frequent flight and voluntary interaction with other Greys and people who use positive reinforcement for learning.
Recommendations for Successful Grey Ownership
To foster a successful and enriching experience with an African Grey parrot, consider these recommendations:
- Companionship: Consider housing more than one Grey to provide mutual companionship.
- Diet: Feed a high-quality pellet-based diet supplemented with plenty of beta-carotene-rich vegetables (yellow, red, orange, or dark green).
- Enrichment: Provide ample opportunities for foraging and learning.
- Independence: Encourage self-reliance and independence.
- Outdoor Access: Set up an outdoor aviary to allow for sunbathing when weather permits.
- Early Rearing: If adopting a baby, seek one that has been parent-reared or has had exposure to multiple adult Greys. If this is not possible, consider adopting an older bird.
- Wing Clipping: Avoid clipping wings if the parrot is capable of flight.
- Care During Absences: Arrange for care by individuals who can provide consistent interaction, avoiding caregivers who only visit once or twice a day.
- Out-of-Cage Time: Maximize out-of-cage time, encouraging liberty and choice-making.
- Avoid Power Struggles: Never engage in a battle of wills with your Grey parrot.
Final Thoughts
African Greys are exceptionally complex birds. Many who have shared their lives with them feel that if they could keep only one parrot species, it would be the Grey. Their unique gifts are best received when we approach them with exceptional understanding and dedication. We must honor their developmental timelines, allow them to grow physically, mentally, and socially into the incredible creatures they are, and approach their care with sensitivity and respect.
References
Aydinonat, D., Penn, D. J., Smith, S., Moodley, Y., Hoelzl, F., Knauer, F., & et al. (2014). Social Isolation Shortens Telomeres in African Grey Parrots (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). PLoS ONE, 9(4), e93839. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0093839
Costa, P., Macchi, E., Valle, E., De Marco, M., Nucera, D. M., Gasco, L., & Schiavone, A. (2016). An association between feather damaging behavior and corticosterone metabolite excretion in captive African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). PeerJ, 4, e2462. https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2462
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