African Grey Parrots

Lesson 1: Parrots as Pets

Pros and Cons of the African Grey Parrot

Parrots are intelligent beings. I cannot stress this enough, particularly when speaking of the African grey. Because of their intelligence, they are prone to a greater assortment of problems than some of the other breeds. They are noted feather pickers which means when they are ill or under undue stress they will pull out feathers until there is nothing left but naked skin. If the situation isn’t treated it’s possible that the bird will have damaged themselves so badly that no amount of tender, loving care can restore their plumage. It is a horrible site to see a beautiful bird (any species) in this condition. It is possible for African greys to even ‘go mad’ if they are not given proper attention. I worked with a red tailed grey in the aviary that was so abused by prior owners that he would shriek whenever someone came near his cage and bash himself against the side. There was no way to comfort him. Even covering the cage didn’t completely stop his outpouring. He was finally placed in one of the end nesting areas and learned to scuttle inside the dark nest box when I fed and watered. Still I could hear him growling.

In their very informative book, THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT HANDBOOK, Mattie Sue Athan and Dianalee Deter have this to say about the greys, “The grey’s reputation for intelligence might also be linked to the bird’s reputation as the most “opinionated” bird, for even if a grey does not talk, it will still be exceptionally capable of communicating its preferences: African greys are often famous finicky eaters, manipulators, sticklers for routine, and gender chauvinists.”

As a grey owner I have to agree with this statement. My bird is a great ‘pouter’. If he feels I am not being fair with my attention he will turn his back on me and pretend I’m not there. It takes a little work to make up to him. Grey’s, like most birds, are morning lovers. They like for you to be up at an early hour and start the day on a cheerful note. If I am not out of bed, even with his coaxing of “You want a cup of coffee?” followed by the sound of the cabinet door opening and the coffee being poured in the cup, then he will begin asking me “Are you alright?” I remember one morning, after a very long night of writing; I rose from bed to assure him I was fine. He looked at me a few seconds and then said, “Oh, my word.” He was not the favored creature in the house on that particular day.

If you are buying a grey because of their famous talking ability be aware that not all greys talk. It’s true that the majority are verbal to a high degree and that you can actually hold a reasonably intelligent conversation with some. I was told when I got my grey as a youngster not to be disappointed if he didn’t talk. Due to a set of circumstances he had reverted to a wild state. I didn’t really care whether he talked or not. The intelligence in his eyes when he looked at me, the independent stance in that small body, told me this was my bird; for better or worse. I set his cage beside my computer chair (where he is right now) and began discussing with him what I was doing and asking his opinion. He didn’t talk for several weeks and one day I laughed aloud at something I was working on. He mimicked my laugh. I was so delighted that I made quite a fuss over his accomplishment. After that it was all downhill. Now, there are times when I wish he wasn’t so verbal. He likes to get into my phone conversations, visitors sometimes have to compete with his ongoing antics of trying to impress (unless he doesn’t like them then he turns his back, fluffs his feathers, and mutters under his breath). He loves action movies and westerns, loves to dance and sing, and in general keeps me entertained. So, whatever else I have had to address, the finicky eating, his one person attitude, and sometimes his unreasonable moods – it’s been well worth it. He’s a devoted friend. I hope your search ends the same.

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