| Gray African Parrots with their good looks, sharp | | | | hours a day. |
| intelligence, ability to mimic noises and learn words | | | | Some of the characteristics that make them so |
| make for extremely attractive, interactive and sociable | | | | attractive as pets are their intelligence and sociability. |
| pets. | | | | Because of this they need plenty of mental stimulation |
| There are hieroglyphics that show the Egyptians kept | | | | and social interaction. You need to spend time with |
| Gray African Parrots as pets. These exceptionally | | | | them and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. |
| intelligent birds were popular with the Greeks and | | | | Gray African Parrots need cages with plenty of room |
| Romans as well. If you choose one of these amazing | | | | to move around and spread their wings. Their cage |
| members of the parrot family for a pet you will be | | | | should also be placed in an area that gets enough |
| continuing in the royal tradition of the likes of King | | | | activity to afford them some stimulation. Isolation is one |
| Henry VIII. These parrots have been treasured pets | | | | of the worst things that these particular birds can |
| for over 4000 years! | | | | experience. |
| This particular species of parrots has been the subject | | | | If you place it in a corner it will give your bird a sense |
| of exhaustive studies and scientific tests that prove | | | | of security, feeling protected on two sides. If not in a |
| their native intelligence. This intelligence has been | | | | corner or alcove then at least put it against a wall. |
| compared to that of a 3-6 year old child as well as to | | | | You will want them to have a variety of toys that |
| dolphins and chimpanzees. | | | | stimulate different types of activities and problem |
| It has even been shown that Gray African Parrots | | | | solving abilities. Gray African Parrots enjoy shredding |
| have strong reasoning abilities. They associate specific | | | | paper and this makes a cheap toy that is easy to |
| human words with meanings and are also able to | | | | replace. You can just use plain old black and white |
| apply abstract concepts such as shape, colors, | | | | newspaper. |
| numbers and more. | | | | If you acquire an African Gray you need to take care |
| There are two sub-species of this type of parrot, the | | | | introducing it to it's new environment. Try to keep |
| Congo African Gray and the Timneh African Gray. | | | | things as much the same as possible at first and |
| Congo African Grays are found to learn speech more | | | | gradually make any necessary changes slowly over |
| slowly. They usually start in their second or third year | | | | time. If your parrot becomes emotionally stressed it |
| of life, while the Timnehs start sooner. | | | | can develop behavioral issues such as feather |
| The average sized Gray African Parrot weighs about | | | | plucking. |
| one pound. They sport beautiful gray feathers, white | | | | To maximize their health and lifespan you will want to |
| patches around their eyes and lovely, bright red tail | | | | make sure to feed a proper diet. The basis for their |
| feathers. Their beaks are dark gray. Sizewise they | | | | diet should be a commercially prepared, high quality |
| average 13-18 inches long and their wingspan is | | | | pelleted food. Organic foods are best since they are |
| generally 18-20 inches. | | | | free of chemicals and pesticides that could negatively |
| Since the species is a native of the African continent | | | | impact your bird's health. |
| and gets a lot of sunlight in the wild,it is a good idea to | | | | These medium sized birds, with their keen intelligence, |
| let them spend time in the sun. Otherwise, over time | | | | make loyal and loving and companions. So, if you are |
| their feathers can grow dull. You can always purchase | | | | looking for a rewarding experience as a pet owner |
| a full spectrum light and leave it on them for a few | | | | you should definitely consider Gray African Parrots. |