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The African Gray Parrot Makes An Ideal Pet Bird, Both Smart And Talkative!
Domesticated for close to 4000 years, African gray parrots were first kept as pets by the Egyptians and later, by the Greeks and Romans, as clever and entertaining house pets. These parrots are clearly visible in ancient frescoes and stone carvings. King Henry VIII of England also kept one of these interesting birds as a pet and companion.
Native to west and central Africa, they are a sociable group of birds who live in large flocks in the wild. The African gray parrot is also unusual in that they mate for life.
The African gray parrot is quite affectionate in nature and is one of the most talkative, sensitive and intelligent of parrots. They can acquire a vocabulary of hundreds of words, as well as some very distinctive and expressive sounds. The average lifespan of a domesticated African gray parrot is about 50 years! As with many birds, they can be snappish if feeling miffed, so the African gray parrot may not suit a situation where young children might be bit.
There are two types of African gray parrots, the Congo, which grows up to about 16 inches long, and his smaller cousin, the Timneh, which is just a bit smaller. You can tell the difference between the birds by looking at the beak. The smaller Timneh has an almost beige colored beak, while the Congo's beak is black. Both have gray feathers and red-tipped tails.
These guys like a bit of room in the cage. One that is at least three feet by two feet should suffice. Give your vet a call and see what she advises.
The diet of the African gray is typically high in vitamin A, as is found in all of the leafy greens, such as kale and broccoli. They should also be fed a variety of nuts, seeds, berries and fruit. They also enjoy a bit of cheese every now and then. Most vets recommend vitamin supplementation to meet specific calcium needs. The amount of vitamin supplementation is rather precise, so be sure to consult with your vet for your bird's recommended dose.
Perhaps due to their high level of intelligence, the African gray parrot needs a lot of attention to keep him happy. Experts generally concur that you should allow that a minimum of three hours each day be spent outside the cage. You'll also want to be sure that you play with and pay direct attention to him for an hour each day. If neglected, he's likely to become out of sorts and temperamental.
The African gray parrot can suffer boredom, which also does his temperament no good. To avoid this problem, be sure he's got a selection of toys to play with while he's confined in his cage. It's a good idea to swap different toys in and out of the cage, so he's got something new to fuss with on a regular basis.
If you intend to have your bird be a 'family' pet, everyone should spend time playing with and talking to him, especially when you first introduce him to your home. Otherwise, you run the risk of him refusing to socialize with anyone but the main care giver!
All in all, the African gray parrot has so many good points, making them a great choice in a pet bird.
Summary
African gray parrots are very distinctive looking birds. There are two types of African grays, the Congo and the Timneh. The Timneh is smaller with a beige colored beak, while the Congo is a little larger with a black beak. The birds survive on leafy greens and require lots of interaction since they are very intelligent.
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