22 questions answered — species differences, CITES documentation, care requirements, pricing, shipping, and what happens after your bird arrives.
The African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-large parrot native to the equatorial rainforests of West and Central Africa. Two subspecies are kept as companions: the Congo African Grey (CAG), larger with a bright scarlet tail, and the Timneh African Grey (TAG), smaller with darker plumage and a maroon tail. African Greys are recognized as the most cognitively advanced parrots — with documented language comprehension and problem-solving abilities — and live 40–60 years in captivity.
Congo African Greys (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) are larger (12–14 inches, 400–550g) with uniform grey plumage and a bright scarlet tail. Timneh African Greys (Psittacus erithacus timneh) are smaller (9–11 inches, 275–375g) with darker charcoal plumage and a maroon-tinged tail. Timnehs typically begin talking slightly earlier and are often described as more adaptable in new environments. Both subspecies are CITES Appendix I and require identical documentation for legal sale in the United States. Congo African Greys are priced $1,700–$3,500; Timnehs $1,200–$2,500.
African Grey parrots live 40–60 years in captivity when given proper nutrition, veterinary care, and socialization. Some documented birds have exceeded 65 years. Before purchasing an African Grey, treat this as a 40–60 year commitment — and include the bird in your estate planning so their care is secured if you predecease them.
African Greys are among the most cognitively advanced non-human animals studied. Dr. Irene Pepperberg's decades of research with Alex, a Congo African Grey, demonstrated understanding of quantity, color, shape, and same/different — abilities previously associated only with primates. Companion African Greys routinely develop vocabularies of 200–1,000+ words and use language contextually, not randomly. They require daily mental stimulation and structured interaction to remain behaviorally healthy.
African Greys are sensitive, intelligent animals requiring daily structured interaction and a stable environment — they are not casual pets. That said, committed first-time owners who research thoroughly and prepare properly do very well with them. The decisive factors: can you provide 3–4 hours of daily out-of-cage interaction, establish care with an avian veterinarian, and maintain a consistent routine? If yes, an African Grey can be an extraordinary companion. We provide lifetime support to every buyer to help navigate ownership at every stage.
CITES — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species — is an international treaty regulating trade in protected wildlife. African Grey parrots are CITES Appendix I, meaning their sale requires documentation establishing captive-bred origin. Buying from a seller who cannot produce specific, bird-level documentation creates legal risk for the buyer and may support illegal wildlife trafficking. All birds from CongoAfricanGreys.com are captive-bred with full CITES-compliant documentation provided at the time of sale.
Every bird includes: (1) CITES documentation confirming captive-bred status, (2) a DNA sex certificate from a certified laboratory confirming the bird's sex, (3) a health certificate from our USDA-accredited avian veterinarian, and (4) our written health guarantee. We also provide direct contact information for lifetime after-purchase support. No sale leaves without a complete documentation package.
Ask for the breeder's USDA AWA (Animal Welfare Act) license number and verify it at the USDA APHIS Animal Care public database. For CITES documentation, legitimate captive-bred paperwork references a specific band or microchip number tied to the breeding pair of origin — not a generic certificate. Be cautious of any seller who cannot produce documentation specific to the individual bird you're purchasing, who prices Congo African Greys below $1,500, or who requests wire transfer or cryptocurrency payment.
Submit an inquiry through our contact form describing your interest — species (Congo or Timneh), sex preference if any, and your timeline. We'll discuss available and upcoming birds and walk you through the reservation process. We accept deposits to hold birds for qualified buyers. Full payment is due before shipping or pickup. We do not release birds before they are fully weaned and vet-cleared, typically 12–16 weeks of age for African Greys.
Yes. We offer a written health guarantee covering genetic and congenital conditions identified by an avian-certified veterinarian within the guarantee period. The guarantee is activated by a veterinary examination within 72 hours of the bird's arrival or pickup. Contact us for the full terms — they are documented in writing for every sale.
A healthy African Grey diet is 60–70% high-quality pellets (Harrison's Bird Foods or Zupreem Natural are widely recommended by avian veterinarians), supplemented daily with fresh vegetables — leafy greens, bell peppers, carrots — cooked grains, and occasional nuts as enrichment. Fruit should be limited due to sugar content. Foods to avoid entirely: avocado (toxic), chocolate, caffeine, onion, garlic, and high-sodium foods. Seed-only diets cause severe nutritional deficiencies and shorten lifespans significantly.
A minimum of 3–4 hours of supervised out-of-cage interaction daily. African Greys are highly social animals — chronic confinement leads to feather plucking, screaming, aggression, and other signs of psychological stress. This requirement is non-negotiable. If your schedule cannot accommodate daily structured interaction, an African Grey is not the right companion for you at this time in your life.
Minimum dimensions for a Congo African Grey: 36 inches wide × 24 inches deep × 48 inches tall, with 3/4-inch to 1-inch bar spacing. Bigger is always better. Place the cage at or below eye level in a social area of your home — not isolated — away from kitchen fumes (non-stick cookware is especially dangerous), drafts, and direct sunlight. Horizontal bars on at least two sides support natural climbing behavior.
Yes. An annual wellness exam with an avian-certified veterinarian is the standard of responsible ownership. African Greys are prone to aspergillosis (fungal infection), psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD), calcium deficiencies, and psittacosis. They also instinctively hide illness — by the time obvious symptoms appear, the condition may be advanced. A baseline exam within 72 hours of bringing a new bird home is required to activate the health guarantee.
Search the Association of Avian Veterinarians (AAV) directory at aav.org/find-a-vet and look for board certification in avian practice (Diplomate ABVP — Avian Practice). A general small-animal veterinarian without avian-specific training is not adequate for African Grey care. We recommend identifying and contacting an avian vet before your bird arrives so the first appointment can be booked immediately upon arrival.
Congo African Greys are $1,700–$3,500 depending on age, weaning stage, and individual characteristics. Timneh African Greys are $1,200–$2,500. All prices include DNA sex certificate, health certificate from our avian vet, and complete documentation. Contact us to discuss current availability.
The price reflects real costs: USDA AWA licensing and compliance, avian veterinary care for breeding pairs and offspring throughout the season, laboratory DNA-sexing fees, CITES documentation processing, and the sustained effort of hand-raising birds from hatch through weaning. Undocumented birds priced at $400–$800 are overwhelmingly either wild-caught (illegal) or from fraudulent sellers. The documentation is not bureaucratic overhead — it is proof that the bird is what the seller claims.
In addition to the purchase price, budget approximately: cage and initial setup $500–$1,500; first veterinary exam $150–$350; perches, toys, and enrichment $200–$500; food for the year $800–$1,200; and a contingency for unexpected veterinary costs ($500–$2,000 is prudent). A realistic total first-year estimate including the bird is $4,000–$8,000 for a Congo African Grey.
Male and female Congo African Greys are nearly indistinguishable in companion behavior — individual personality differences are larger than sex-based differences. Our pricing is not primarily sex-based; all birds are DNA-sexed and the certificate is included. If you have a preference, note it in your inquiry and we will do our best to match you with an available bird.
Yes. We ship to all 50 states via IATA-compliant live animal air transport. Shipping is coordinated through a registered live animal handler using airlines that accept live bird cargo. We do not ship during temperature extremes and select direct flights where possible to minimize travel time and stress.
IATA-compliant live animal air transport, handled by experienced shippers, is safe for African Greys. We minimize stress by selecting direct flights, early-morning departures during cooler parts of the day, and airline-approved carriers with proper ventilation. We monitor weather at both origin and destination before booking and delay shipping if conditions are unsuitable.
Contact us immediately and take the bird to an avian-certified veterinarian within 72 hours — this activates the health guarantee. Do not wait to see if symptoms resolve on their own. We provide lifetime support to every buyer and will address post-sale concerns directly. Our reputation is built on what happens after the sale, not before it.
Every bird from CongoAfricanGreys.com is hand-raised, CITES-documented, DNA-sexed, and vet-certified. We ship IATA-compliant to all 50 states.
$200 deposit reserves your bird · 3-day health guarantee · IATA-compliant shipping nationwide
Congo and Timneh African Greys, captive-bred in Midland, TX. Every bird comes with CITES Appendix I paperwork, DNA sexing certificate, avian-vet health cert, and a written health guarantee.
Start Your Inquiry →