The African Grey Parrot
The African grey parrot is one of the most talented birds on the planet, giving it quite a reputation among bird enthusiasts. Not only do bird keepers love this intelligent bird, it's one of the most recognizable species to bird novices as well - everyone knows the grey. This parrot is one of the oldest psitticine species kept by humans, with records of the bird dating back to biblical times. Understated beauty and a brainy no-nonsense attitude are what keep this parrot at the peak of popularity.
At first glance, the African grey is a medium-sized, dusty-looking gray bird, almost pigeon-like – but further investigation reveals a bright red tail, intelligent orange eyes, and a stunning scalloped pattern to the plumage.
There are two distinct subspecies of the African grey: the Congo African grey (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), also called the red-tailed grey and the CAG, and the Timneh African grey (Psittacus erithacus timneh), or TAG. Though the larger of the species is called the "Congo," this bird actually has a much wider natural range in Africa, including the Southeastern Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Tanzania. The Timneh grey is found in a smaller region along the western edge of the Ivory Coast and through southern Guinea. Often, large Congo greys are called "Cameroons" because they were once thought to be a subspecies from that area, but in truth, the larger birds were smuggled into Cameroon and had that country listed on their export papers. These birds tend to come in a variety of sizes and shades of gray because their natural habitat is so large. However, the CAG, no matter the color or size, is still the same subspecies.
The CAG is more popular of the two subspecies, being larger and having a scarlet tail and black beak. The TAG is smaller with a much darker gray body, nearly black, with a horn-colored beak, and its tail ranges in color from maroon to dark grey or black. Both birds make equally fine companions.
Most bird keepers believe that only an experienced bird enthusiast should keep a grey. They are complex parrots, highly sensitive, and more than a little demanding. They are also charming and brilliant, but this match of sensitivity and brains can lead to behavioral issues. They are creatures of habit, and even a small change in routine can make a sensitive grey unhappy. They are prone to plucking and chewing their feathers, among other bad habits. Anecdotally, the TAG has a hardier attitude and may be better for households with a lot of people coming and going. The CAG prefers a little less chaos.
Much of the grey's appeal comes from its talking ability. It is among the best talkers in the parrot family, able to repeat words and phrases after hearing them just once or twice. This bird reaches full talking ability around a year of age, and most individuals become capable mimics much earlier. Not only will a grey develop an outstanding vocabulary, research has shown that this species can come to understand what it's saying. The most famous CAG, Alex, and his colleague, Dr. Irene Pepperberg, may be the reason for the popularity of this species, and certainly for its high profile. Alex is the longtime subject of a research study conducted by Dr. Pepperberg and her students at Brandeis University. Using teaching methods that involve repetition and reward, the researchers have taught Alex to recognize and identify objects, colors, and shapes. Alex understands the concepts of category, same and different, and can even count objects. Someday, researchers believe that Alex may even learn to read. Alex is able to think in abstract concepts and quantify objects with over an 80% accuracy rate. Imagine this bird in the average home – here's a feathered friend that can easily manipulate its guardian.
But just because greys are smart and may choose to talk rather than scream, it's a mistake to believe that they aren't noisy. They aren't as loud or persistent as some of the South American species, but they will learn household sounds and use them tirelessly to the dismay of guardians. Imagine the microwave beeping incessantly, or a cell phone ringing madly without the luxury of turning it off.
Greys are social parrots that need a lot of hands-on time, however, they aren't "cuddlebugs." They will tolerate some head scratching and a little bit of petting, but they do not appreciate intense physical contact, though some individuals don't mind a little snuggling. Every bird has individual tastes and preferences. A grey can also become a "one person bird," even if every member of the household socializes with it from the beginning.