Staring at Birds - African Greys

Congo African Grey (Psittacus erithacus erithacus)

Conservation Status:

Common in US aviculture, near threatened in the wild.
Endangered Species List - African Grey
Wild Status

I got my Congo African Grey (CAG) about 15 years ago.  At that time I was repeatedly told that greys are excellent talkers, but neurotic to the extreme and would inevitably pluck themselves naked.  I still wanted one, but with this information I wanted to raise my own grey in a very particular manner.  I raised my grey, Cyrano, from the time she was five weeks old.  I took her everywhere with me.  She was in my backpack when I went to my college classes.  I'd handfeed her in between classes.  I raised her to be used to a changing environment.  Cyrano turned out very easygoing and unflappable.  She was not a fearful bird.  She was cuddly and snuggly with me and would allow me to cradle her on her back in my arms like a baby.  She never plucked.  I had her for about six years until she was stolen out of my yard.  

CAGs are sensitive birds that don't take well to rough handling.  When getting to know your new grey, move slowly and talk softly and reassuringly.  I encourage introducing your grey to changing situations, new people and new things constantly; again, in a calm reassuring manner.  

Greys talk.  Once they learn to talk and mimic, my experience has been that they are INCESSANT.  My two breeding pairs of greys are in their own room in the house.  They start talking and mimicking literally from dawn 'til dusk.  Cyrano picked up this weird LOUD "plinking" noise that drove me insane.  So, while greys are not "loud" and are cool that they talk, the nonstop talking and mimicking of sounds (including sounds you might not like) could put you in the loony bin.

 

Lily

 

Lily in front

Spike in back