African Greys
Psittacus erithacus
Also known as: Congo African greys, greys
Deeply intelligent observers who need emotional steadiness, foraging complexity, and lifelong learning.
Lifespan
40–60 years
Size
About 12–14 inches
Species & subspecies
True taxonomic companions under this hub — distinct species or subspecies, not captive color morphs.
Congo African grey
speciesPsittacus erithacus
The larger African grey commonly kept in companionship; often called Congo grey.
Timneh African grey
speciesPsittacus timneh
A separate smaller grey species (not merely a subspecies of Congo), often with darker maroon-toned tail feathers.
Colorations
Captive color morphs and mutations for learning — not wild subspecies. (Example: turquoise in green-cheeks is a morph.)
Species-typical
Companion greys are usually discussed by species (Congo vs Timneh) rather than captive color morphs.
Natural history
Central African rainforest parrots known for complex social cognition and mimicry used in wild flocks.
Personality
Sensitive, perceptive, and often cautious with change. Bond deeply and notice household moods.
Social & communication
Prefer trusted people and predictable routines. Introduce new experiences gradually.
Vocalizations
Outstanding mimics of speech and household sounds; also use soft contact murmurs and sharper alerts.
Diet basics
High-quality pellets, diverse vegetables, limited nuts and fruit. Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion, garlic, xylitol, and salty foods.
Housing, sleep & enrichment
Spacious cage, foraging stations, privacy corners, and a rock-solid sleep schedule in a quiet area. Puzzle feeders, shredding, training games, and safe chewing wood. Mental work is non-negotiable.
Behavior notes
Fearful phases or feather-damaging habits often link to stress or boredom—focus on enrichment and calm routines. Squawkery does not provide medical guidance.
General everyday care
Lifelong enrichment planning, gentle trust-based handling, and diet variety.