| Common Name | African Grey, Congo African Grey, Grey Parrot |
| Latin Name | Psittacus erithacus |
| Average Lifespan | 60 Years |
| Average Length | 12 Inches |
| Average Weight | 370 - 534 Grams |
| Song Type | Great Talkers / Mimics |
Noise Level & Talking Ability
African greys are excellent talkers and mimics, these birds can accurately imitate specific human voices and household noises such as the doorbell, telephone, or microwave. There is still some debate over whether the African Grey parrot is merely a superb mimic or truly understands some of what it says. These birds possess an uncanny knack for using words in a situationally appropriate manner leading some people to believe they have similar mental capabilities of a three-to-five-year-old human child. African greys are capable of producing loud noises, but generally are fairly quiet. They are recommended to people in detached housing but can be suitable for apartments.
Physical Features
Congo African Grey parrots are overall grey. The head and belly are a lighter shade of grey. Many of the feathers on the neck and head have a lighter edge, which gives light striations. They have a rather large bare patch around their eye; extending from the beak to behind the eye, and quite uniformly above and below the eye. The cere is pale grey and blends into the bare patch. In birds around 18 months or older the iris is pale yellow. In young birds the iris is a greyish blue. The beak is black and longer than it is wide. The tail base and low abdomen are very light grey. The legs and feet are dark grey. The tail is bright red, short, and wedge-shaped.
Pet Profile
African greys are extremely intelligent birds. They can pick up tricks and speech quickly. They can be shy at times and are very in tune with their surroundings. If there is stress in the environment, they will be stressed so it is important to always be as confident as you can when handling these birds. They are generally more content around a mature audience than younger children. Some people will consider African Greys shy, but this is more a result of the birds intelligence level. They need to form trust and a bond with new people.
Diet
African Grey Parrots do well eating a fairly standard parrot pellet, supplemented with fresh vegetables, some fruit, and seeds / nuts as treats. African Greys do benefit from a little extra calcium in their diet, so access to a cuttlebone, mineral block, or keeping this in mind when preparing fresh foods is recommended.
It is unfortunately common to see people feeding these parrots almost exclusively seed diets. Often mixes that are heavy in sunflower, peanuts, and sometimes dried fruits. It is not usually recommended to feed excessive amounts of sunflower or dried fruits due to high fats and sugars, respectively. Peanuts are at an elevated risk of harbouring fungal spores, however all nuts are at some amount of risk here, so it is important to ensure you purchase treats from trusted, quality sources. Pellets and fresh water should always be available, fresh vegetables should be given as often as possible, and seeds / nuts should only be provided in a controlled, relatively small daily amount.
Housing
Provide overhead misters or shallow water bowls for bathing; foot toys, destructible (non-toxic) toys, non-destructible (non-toxic plastic) toys, food-finder toys, preening toys, different texture and size hanging perch toys; fir, pine, elder or willow branches, push-and-pull toys (sliding up and down), vegetable-tanned leather toys. Introduce with care, as Greys are sensitive to novel things.
In particular, Greys love toys that make them solve puzzles to reach some kind of treat inside. It's fascinating to watch them work out the solution to the puzzle, and once initially solved, they reach subsequent treats placed within the toys in a matter of seconds.
Breeding Information
| Age of Maturity | 3 Years |
| Breeding Aviculture | Common |
| Average Clutch Size | 3 - 5 Eggs |
| Nest Box | 12 x 24" L-Box |
| Breeding Life | 30 Years |
Wild Status
Decreasing - Endangered
Last assessed April 2020 for the IUCN Red List.
- Our website has an abundance of information about species, behaviour, talking ability, and ownership essentials you may need to begin. This is a great place to start narrowing down your search for the bird best suited for your family. Once you have researched various bird species and narrowed down your choices, please contact us via phone or email to create an appointment to meet the birds and ask any questions you may have in regards to care, nutrition, and the best fit for your home.
- We will set up a date and time for you to meet the bird(s). We will notify you of our current protocols and procedures. If you have decided on a specific bird, we recommend that you put a deposit on it. Birds will not be held without a minimum 50% deposit. If you put down a deposit before meeting the bird and after meeting the bird decide it is not a good fit, we can refund your the deposit in full. If you are placing a deposit prior to meeting a bird, your appointment to meet the bird must be within the following week.
- If you are meeting a bird(s) that is not weaned, you will not be able to take the bird home that same day. If you are meeting a bird that is weaned, and you are properly prepared to have the new bird in your home, we will go over a care sheet and answer any questions you have during your appointment. If that is too soon, and your home is not ready, you can book a pick-up appointment within the following week. Again, to reserve a bird you must put down at least a 50% deposit or payment in full.
- When your bird is weaned and ready to go home you will receive an email with the following information
• A link to our care sheet in printable PDF form.
• A link to book a timeslot for your care sheet / bird pick-up.
• A link to the food your bird is eating as well as toys, treats, and other essential items to start your new adventure!
- Read the care sheet, write down any questions you have, ensure you’ve got the correct food and a proper variety of toys and perches, as well as a suitable cage. Then book your pick-up appointment! Please show up within 5 minutes of the appointment start time. If you have a carrier for your new bird, feel free to bring it. We can provide a travel box if needed.
If you have additional questions about how to purchase one of our birds please take a look at our FAQ's for purchasing a new bird:
Before You Buy
We offer a seven-day health guarantee on our handfed birds. A mandatory educational care sheet will be gone over at time of purchase. You must provide your bird with suitable shelter, food, water, vitamins and minerals from time of purchase.
We suggest that within three days (72 hours) of purchase, you bring your bird to an avian vet for a complete examination. This is at the cost of the pet owner. Should any health problem occur or be discovered, inform us IMMEDIATELY, with a written report otherwise the health guarantee is void. Any veterinary fees at this point need to be cleared by Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc.
The health guarantee does not apply if there is another bird in your home that was not purchased from Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc. or if the bird leaves the store unclipped.
We cannot guarantee the gender or temperament of your bird. Our handfed birds are tame but may take some time to adjust to their new surroundings. The more time is spent socializing with your pet bird after they have settled into your household, the better your relationship with your pet will be. After the seven day period any warranty will be at the discretion of Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc.
Shower your feathered friend (or furry companion!) with love and rewards at Exotic Wings! Our customer rewards program makes it easy to earn points and save on everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. Simply create a free account and you're automatically enrolled. Every dollar spent (excluding taxes and shipping) earns you a point, and those points add up quickly to valuable discounts! Redeem your points at checkout for savings on a variety of bird food, treats, toys, cages, and other pet essentials. We also offer bonus points for referring friends, so spread the love and watch your rewards grow even faster! Sign up today and start earning rewards on all your pet purchases at Exotic Wings!
Our program currently consists of both points & referrals!
Access your rewards by clicking the blue rewards widget on the bottom left of your screen.
Points:
- For every dollar you spend (excluding taxes and shipping) you are rewarded a point!
- Spend your points on discount codes which can be redeemed at checkout.
- 500 Points = $10.00 off an order over $50.00.
- 1000 Points = $25.00 off an order over $100.00.
Referrals:
- Sign into your account and share your referral link!
- Located in the rewards widget on the bottom right of your screen.
- They get a $5 off discount (For orders over $50.00)
- You get a bonus 25 Point for each successful referral.
Have questions about our rewards program? View rewards FAQ's.
| Common Name | African Grey, Congo African Grey, Grey Parrot |
| Latin Name | Psittacus erithacus |
| Average Lifespan | 60 Years |
| Average Length | 12 Inches |
| Average Weight | 370 - 534 Grams |
| Song Type | Great Talkers / Mimics |
Noise Level & Talking Ability
African greys are excellent talkers and mimics, these birds can accurately imitate specific human voices and household noises such as the doorbell, telephone, or microwave. There is still some debate over whether the African Grey parrot is merely a superb mimic or truly understands some of what it says. These birds possess an uncanny knack for using words in a situationally appropriate manner leading some people to believe they have similar mental capabilities of a three-to-five-year-old human child. African greys are capable of producing loud noises, but generally are fairly quiet. They are recommended to people in detached housing but can be suitable for apartments.
Physical Features
Congo African Grey parrots are overall grey. The head and belly are a lighter shade of grey. Many of the feathers on the neck and head have a lighter edge, which gives light striations. They have a rather large bare patch around their eye; extending from the beak to behind the eye, and quite uniformly above and below the eye. The cere is pale grey and blends into the bare patch. In birds around 18 months or older the iris is pale yellow. In young birds the iris is a greyish blue. The beak is black and longer than it is wide. The tail base and low abdomen are very light grey. The legs and feet are dark grey. The tail is bright red, short, and wedge-shaped.
Pet Profile
African greys are extremely intelligent birds. They can pick up tricks and speech quickly. They can be shy at times and are very in tune with their surroundings. If there is stress in the environment, they will be stressed so it is important to always be as confident as you can when handling these birds. They are generally more content around a mature audience than younger children. Some people will consider African Greys shy, but this is more a result of the birds intelligence level. They need to form trust and a bond with new people.
Diet
African Grey Parrots do well eating a fairly standard parrot pellet, supplemented with fresh vegetables, some fruit, and seeds / nuts as treats. African Greys do benefit from a little extra calcium in their diet, so access to a cuttlebone, mineral block, or keeping this in mind when preparing fresh foods is recommended.
It is unfortunately common to see people feeding these parrots almost exclusively seed diets. Often mixes that are heavy in sunflower, peanuts, and sometimes dried fruits. It is not usually recommended to feed excessive amounts of sunflower or dried fruits due to high fats and sugars, respectively. Peanuts are at an elevated risk of harbouring fungal spores, however all nuts are at some amount of risk here, so it is important to ensure you purchase treats from trusted, quality sources. Pellets and fresh water should always be available, fresh vegetables should be given as often as possible, and seeds / nuts should only be provided in a controlled, relatively small daily amount.
Housing
Provide overhead misters or shallow water bowls for bathing; foot toys, destructible (non-toxic) toys, non-destructible (non-toxic plastic) toys, food-finder toys, preening toys, different texture and size hanging perch toys; fir, pine, elder or willow branches, push-and-pull toys (sliding up and down), vegetable-tanned leather toys. Introduce with care, as Greys are sensitive to novel things.
In particular, Greys love toys that make them solve puzzles to reach some kind of treat inside. It's fascinating to watch them work out the solution to the puzzle, and once initially solved, they reach subsequent treats placed within the toys in a matter of seconds.
Breeding Information
| Age of Maturity | 3 Years |
| Breeding Aviculture | Common |
| Average Clutch Size | 3 - 5 Eggs |
| Nest Box | 12 x 24" L-Box |
| Breeding Life | 30 Years |
Wild Status
Decreasing - Endangered
Last assessed April 2020 for the IUCN Red List.
- Our website has an abundance of information about species, behaviour, talking ability, and ownership essentials you may need to begin. This is a great place to start narrowing down your search for the bird best suited for your family. Once you have researched various bird species and narrowed down your choices, please contact us via phone or email to create an appointment to meet the birds and ask any questions you may have in regards to care, nutrition, and the best fit for your home.
- We will set up a date and time for you to meet the bird(s). We will notify you of our current protocols and procedures. If you have decided on a specific bird, we recommend that you put a deposit on it. Birds will not be held without a minimum 50% deposit. If you put down a deposit before meeting the bird and after meeting the bird decide it is not a good fit, we can refund your the deposit in full. If you are placing a deposit prior to meeting a bird, your appointment to meet the bird must be within the following week.
- If you are meeting a bird(s) that is not weaned, you will not be able to take the bird home that same day. If you are meeting a bird that is weaned, and you are properly prepared to have the new bird in your home, we will go over a care sheet and answer any questions you have during your appointment. If that is too soon, and your home is not ready, you can book a pick-up appointment within the following week. Again, to reserve a bird you must put down at least a 50% deposit or payment in full.
- When your bird is weaned and ready to go home you will receive an email with the following information
• A link to our care sheet in printable PDF form.
• A link to book a timeslot for your care sheet / bird pick-up.
• A link to the food your bird is eating as well as toys, treats, and other essential items to start your new adventure!
- Read the care sheet, write down any questions you have, ensure you’ve got the correct food and a proper variety of toys and perches, as well as a suitable cage. Then book your pick-up appointment! Please show up within 5 minutes of the appointment start time. If you have a carrier for your new bird, feel free to bring it. We can provide a travel box if needed.
If you have additional questions about how to purchase one of our birds please take a look at our FAQ's for purchasing a new bird:
Before You Buy
We offer a seven-day health guarantee on our handfed birds. A mandatory educational care sheet will be gone over at time of purchase. You must provide your bird with suitable shelter, food, water, vitamins and minerals from time of purchase.
We suggest that within three days (72 hours) of purchase, you bring your bird to an avian vet for a complete examination. This is at the cost of the pet owner. Should any health problem occur or be discovered, inform us IMMEDIATELY, with a written report otherwise the health guarantee is void. Any veterinary fees at this point need to be cleared by Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc.
The health guarantee does not apply if there is another bird in your home that was not purchased from Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc. or if the bird leaves the store unclipped.
We cannot guarantee the gender or temperament of your bird. Our handfed birds are tame but may take some time to adjust to their new surroundings. The more time is spent socializing with your pet bird after they have settled into your household, the better your relationship with your pet will be. After the seven day period any warranty will be at the discretion of Exotic Wings & Pet Things Inc.
Shower your feathered friend (or furry companion!) with love and rewards at Exotic Wings! Our customer rewards program makes it easy to earn points and save on everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. Simply create a free account and you're automatically enrolled. Every dollar spent (excluding taxes and shipping) earns you a point, and those points add up quickly to valuable discounts! Redeem your points at checkout for savings on a variety of bird food, treats, toys, cages, and other pet essentials. We also offer bonus points for referring friends, so spread the love and watch your rewards grow even faster! Sign up today and start earning rewards on all your pet purchases at Exotic Wings!
Our program currently consists of both points & referrals!
Access your rewards by clicking the blue rewards widget on the bottom left of your screen.
Points:
- For every dollar you spend (excluding taxes and shipping) you are rewarded a point!
- Spend your points on discount codes which can be redeemed at checkout.
- 500 Points = $10.00 off an order over $50.00.
- 1000 Points = $25.00 off an order over $100.00.
Referrals:
- Sign into your account and share your referral link!
- Located in the rewards widget on the bottom right of your screen.
- They get a $5 off discount (For orders over $50.00)
- You get a bonus 25 Point for each successful referral.
Have questions about our rewards program? View rewards FAQ's.
Ownership Essentials
Monthly Specials
