Everything you need to know about the African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) — the world's most intelligent companion bird. This guide covers the Congo and Timneh variants, talking ability, lifespan, diet, housing, CITES documentation and how to buy a healthy, captive-bred African Grey with confidence.
The African Grey parrot is a medium-sized parrot native to the lowland rainforests of equatorial Africa. It is the most intelligent companion parrot kept by humans and one of the most studied birds in cognitive science. African Greys are prized for their near-human speech clarity, problem-solving ability and the deep, lasting bonds they form with their families.
Unlike the brightly colored macaws and cockatoos, the African Grey wears understated silver-grey plumage offset by a striking red or maroon tail. Its appeal is behavioral rather than ornamental: this is a bird that watches, listens, learns and engages. With a 40–60 year lifespan, an African Grey is genuinely a lifelong companion.
| Common name | African Grey Parrot |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Psittacus erithacus |
| Family | Psittacidae (true parrots) |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Native range | Equatorial Africa — rainforest belt |
| Variants | Congo (P. e. erithacus), Timneh (P. e. timneh) |
| Conservation listing | CITES Appendix II |
| Lifespan | 40–50 years wild, up to 60 in captivity |
Every African Grey placed by CongoAfricanGreys.com is captive-bred, hand-raised and fully weaned, supplied with complete CITES and health documentation. We never sell wild-caught birds.
The African Grey parrot has two recognized variants — often treated as subspecies — the Congo African Grey (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) and the Timneh African Grey (Psittacus erithacus timneh). They share the same intelligence, lifespan and CITES status, but differ in size, color and temperament.
The Congo is the larger, classic silver-grey bird with a bright red tail that most people picture when they hear "African Grey." The Timneh is smaller and darker with a maroon tail, often calmer in temperament, and frequently begins talking at a younger age.
| Attribute | Congo African Grey | Timneh African Grey |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Psittacus erithacus erithacus | Psittacus erithacus timneh |
| Body length | 12–14 in (33–36 cm) | 9–11 in (28–33 cm) |
| Weight | 400–600 grams | 275–375 grams |
| Plumage | Light silver-grey | Darker charcoal-grey |
| Tail color | Bright cherry-red | Dark maroon |
| Upper beak | Solid black | Horn / bone-colored tip |
| Temperament | Affectionate, sensitive, can be reserved | Calm, confident, easygoing |
| Talking | Exceptional clarity, large vocabulary | Often talks earlier, slightly softer |
| Price range | $1,700 – $3,500 | $1,500 – $1,600 |
| Lifespan | 40–60 years | 40–60 years |
| CITES status | Appendix II — fully documented | Appendix II — fully documented |
For a full side-by-side breakdown, read our Congo vs Timneh African Grey comparison. Browse current availability on the Congo African Grey for sale and Timneh African Grey for sale pages.
African Grey parrots are ranked among the most intelligent animals on Earth and are the most accomplished talking birds of any species. A well-socialized African Grey can learn hundreds of words and short phrases and — crucially — use them in the correct context rather than simply mimicking sounds.
The species' cognitive ability is best documented through the decades of research conducted by Dr. Irene Pepperberg with an African Grey named Alex. Alex demonstrated the ability to identify colors, shapes and materials, count small quantities, and understand concepts such as "same" and "different" — abilities researchers compare to those of a young human child.
That intelligence is also a responsibility. A bored or under-stimulated African Grey can develop feather-destructive behavior, screaming or anxiety. Daily mental enrichment — foraging toys, training sessions, rotating puzzles and genuine social interaction — is not optional; it is essential to the bird's wellbeing.
African Grey parrots live 40–50 years in the wild and up to 60 years in captivity with proper nutrition, veterinary care and enrichment. They are among the longest-lived companion parrots, and bringing one home is a decades-long commitment.
Responsible ownership means planning for the bird's entire life, including the realistic possibility that an African Grey will outlive its owner. Many owners name a caretaker or include the bird in their long-term plans. Longevity also depends on prevention: an annual avian veterinary wellness exam, a calcium-adequate diet and a clean, enriched environment all add healthy years.
Learn more in our dedicated African Grey parrot lifespan guide.
The African Grey is a medium-sized parrot. A Congo African Grey measures about 12–14 inches (33 cm) from head to tail and weighs 400–600 grams. The Timneh African Grey is smaller, at 9–11 inches and 275–375 grams. Both reach full adult size by roughly one year of age and have a wingspan of around 18–20 inches.
Plumage is the clearest visual difference between the variants. The Congo wears light silver-grey feathers with a vivid cherry-red tail and an all-black beak. The Timneh is a darker charcoal-grey with a deep maroon tail and a horn-colored tip on the upper beak. Both have pale, bare facial skin and intelligent, expressive eyes that lighten from dark to pale yellow as the bird matures.
Males and females look nearly identical — African Greys are not reliably sexed by appearance, which is why every bird we place is DNA sexed with a certificate included.
A healthy African Grey diet is built on a high-quality formulated pellet, which should make up roughly 60–70% of daily intake. Pellets provide consistent, balanced nutrition that an all-seed diet cannot. The remainder should be fresh vegetables, leafy greens and a smaller portion of fruit.
African Greys are particularly prone to calcium deficiency, so calcium-rich foods such as leafy greens, and access to safe sunlight or full-spectrum lighting to support vitamin D, are important. Foods that are toxic and must never be fed include avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, and salty or sugary human foods.
For a complete feeding plan, portion guidance and a safe-foods list, read our African Grey parrot diet and nutrition guide.
An African Grey needs a cage measuring at least 24 x 24 x 36 inches, with horizontal bars that allow climbing and a bar spacing of about 3/4 to 1 inch. Bigger is always better — the cage is the bird's home base, not its whole world.
Equally important is daily out-of-cage time. African Greys are intelligent flock animals that need 2–4 hours of social interaction and enrichment every day. Provide a variety of natural-wood perches at different diameters, foraging and chewing toys, and a quiet location away from kitchen fumes, drafts and round-the-clock noise.
A consistent routine, a predictable sleep schedule of 10–12 hours of dark, quiet rest, and a stable household help an African Grey stay calm and confident. Isolation and chaos are the leading causes of stress-related feather damage in the species.
For housing, training and daily-care detail, see our full African Grey parrot care guide.
The African Grey parrot is listed under CITES Appendix II, the international agreement that regulates trade in species that could become threatened without controls. This listing protects wild populations — it does not restrict responsible ownership of captive-bred birds within the United States.
The practical takeaway for buyers is simple: wild-caught African Greys cannot be legally sold, and a legitimate breeder will always supply documentation proving a bird is captive-bred. If a seller cannot produce paperwork, that is a serious red flag.
Every African Grey placed by CongoAfricanGreys.com ships with:
Read more about paperwork and compliance on our CITES African Grey documentation page.
Buying an African Grey is a significant, decades-long decision. The single biggest predictor of a healthy, well-adjusted bird is choosing a fully weaned, hand-raised parrot from a reputable, documented breeder. Use the checklist below before you commit.
Learn how to protect yourself in our African Grey scam-avoidance guide, and review full pricing in the African Grey parrot price guide.
Day-to-day care, housing, training and health basics.
Pellets, fresh foods, calcium needs and toxic foods to avoid.
How long African Greys live and how to maximize healthy years.
Full side-by-side breakdown of both African Grey variants.
Captive-bred, hand-raised Congo African Greys available now.
Smaller, calmer captive-bred Timneh African Greys available now.
What hand-raising means, our 12–16 week process, and why it produces better companion birds.
Every bird laboratory DNA-sexed before placement — sex certificate included at no extra charge.
What African Greys cost and what affects the price.
Why captive-bred paperwork protects you as a buyer.
Tell our breeder team about your home and experience level — we will help you choose the right Congo or Timneh African Grey and walk you through every document.
Contact Our Breeder TeamThe African Grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-sized parrot native to the rainforests of equatorial Africa. It is widely regarded as the most intelligent companion parrot, capable of learning hundreds of words and using them in context. There are two recognized variants: the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey. Both are CITES Appendix II species and must be captive-bred with documentation to be sold legally in the United States.
The Congo African Grey is the larger variant, roughly 12–14 inches long and 400–600 grams, with light silver-grey plumage, a bright red tail and a solid black beak. The Timneh African Grey is smaller at 9–11 inches and 275–375 grams, with darker charcoal plumage, a maroon tail and a horn-colored upper beak. Both are equally intelligent; Timnehs often talk earlier and tend to be calmer.
African Grey parrots live 40–50 years in the wild and up to 60 years in captivity with proper nutrition, veterinary care and enrichment. Owning an African Grey is a multi-decade commitment that should be planned as a lifelong responsibility, including arrangements for the bird's care should it outlive its owner.
Yes. African Grey parrots are the most accomplished talking birds in the world. They can learn hundreds of words and, as demonstrated by Dr. Irene Pepperberg's decades of research with the African Grey named Alex, they can use words in correct context, count, identify colors and shapes, and grasp simple abstract concepts comparable to a young child.
A Congo African Grey grows to about 12–14 inches (33 cm) long and weighs 400–600 grams. A Timneh African Grey is smaller, reaching 9–11 inches and 275–375 grams. Both have a wingspan of roughly 18–20 inches and reach full adult size by about one year of age.
A healthy African Grey diet is built on a high-quality formulated pellet making up 60–70% of intake, supplemented with fresh vegetables, leafy greens and limited fruit. Calcium-rich foods are especially important because African Greys are prone to calcium deficiency. Avocado, chocolate, caffeine and salty or sugary human foods are toxic and must never be fed.
Yes, captive-bred African Greys are legal to own in the United States. African Greys are listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade to protect wild populations. Wild-caught birds cannot be legally sold; every African Grey from CongoAfricanGreys.com is captive-bred and supplied with CITES captive-bred documentation, a hatch certificate, DNA sexing results and an avian veterinary health certificate.
At CongoAfricanGreys.com a captive-bred Congo African Grey ranges from $1,700 to $3,500 depending on age and training, and a Timneh African Grey ranges from $1,500 to $1,600. First-year setup — cage, perches, toys and an initial vet visit — typically adds $475 to $1,300. See our African Grey parrot price guide for a full breakdown.
African Greys are intelligent, sensitive birds that need daily interaction, mental enrichment and a consistent routine, so they suit committed owners more than casual first-time bird keepers. Beginners who are ready for the commitment often do well starting with a calm, fully weaned, hand-raised Timneh from a reputable breeder.
An African Grey needs a cage at least 24 x 24 x 36 inches with horizontal bars, plenty of out-of-cage time, and 2–4 hours of daily social interaction and enrichment. They are flock animals that bond closely with their family and can develop feather-destructive behavior or stress if left isolated for long periods.
Every African Grey we place is captive-bred, hand-raised and supplied with complete CITES and health documentation. Reach out today.
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