Your African Grey Parrot: A Beginners Guide
The African Grey Parrot is one of the most highly intelligent and delightful breeds of bird to own as a pet. Because of their unique and amazing ability to learn hundreds of words and mimic their owners, purchasing African Grey Parrots as pets are growing in popularity. With the proper understanding, care, and love, pet owners can find companionship and lifelong friendship in this brilliant breed.
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.
The decision of choosing an African Gray Parrot subspecies for a parrot companion comes mainly down to personal preference. Both subspecies make gentle, loving, lifelong (living between 60-80 years) pets. Proper care, patience, and love are essential to the well being of the African Gray. Because of their high intelligence, the African Grays can become easily stressed and excitable. The African Gray Parrot may begin to behave poorly by chewing, biting, or plucking its feathers, if not properly cared for.
African Grey parrots are full of personality and human like qualities. Those who are lucky enough to own one are able to see intelligence not equaled in many other animals.