African Grey Parrots Do Make Great Pets – Advantages and Disadvantages

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Published: August 23, 2021      Written by Nicholas Burns      Fact Checked:

Last modified: July 9th, 2022
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African Grey Parrots make great family pets for those with enough time to dedicate to their needs. They are very intelligent and can be taught to do all sorts of tricks, talk, and even walk on a leash. African Grey Parrots also make wonderful companions. They love to cuddle and will spend hours “talking” to you in a soft whisper.

African greys are very delicate and do require a lot of care. They need a special diet and have to be taught how to fly. They are also loud and screechy.

African Grey Parrots need a special diet in order to stay healthy. They must have vitamin supplements and an abundance of fruits, vegetables, grains, and nuts. If they do not get the proper nutrients, they can become ill. You will need to have a lot of money set aside to purchase food for them. All in all, African Grey Parrots are beautiful birds that will make wonderful companions. They are very social and friendly.

African grey parrots are among the most popular pet birds for their beauty and nature. African greys are very smart and need to have their brains constantly challenged and stimulated. The African grey parrot is native to West Africa.

African Grey Parrots are among the largest parrots in the world. They generally have an average length of about 2 feet, although some can grow to be as long as 3 feet making them large parrots who need large cages. They come in a variety of colors, and their feathers can range from light grey to dark green.

African Greys make great pets because they are very intelligent, loving, and social animals. However, they require a lot of attention, and if not given enough they can become aggressive.

Lots of information on keeping these birds as a family pet can be found in our African Grey Parrot Care Guide.

African Grey Parrots Are Not Recommended For Beginners

African Grey Parrots are not for the faint of heart. They are intelligent and require a lot of attention to keep them occupied. They also can be very loud and need to be taught to mimic words instead of screeching. You can teach the African Grey Parrot to walk on a leash, but they need to be worked with every day.

They are large birds and require a lot of space, both inside and outside of their cages to fully stretch their wings. Unfortunately, unless you are willing to build them an aviary or take them on regular walks outdoors (this also works for other large birds, like macaws and cockatoos), they may become very unhealthy.

African Greys Eat Fruits, Veggies, (Not Too Many) Seeds, Or Nuts

Some people think African Greys are picky eaters and only eat fruit. They are not too picky, but they do enjoy an array of fruits, nuts, and seeds. African Greys love to eat fruits, their favorite fruits are grapes and plums.

Good treats for African Greys are:

African Greys Eat Fruits, Veggies, (Not Too Many) Seeds, Or Nuts
Fruits & Veggies Are Staples To The African Grey’s Diet

• Apples

• Bananas

• Kiwi Fruit

• Peaches

• Pears

• Prunes

You can learn more straight from the veterinarians on feeding African Grey Parrots here.

African Greys Are Legal To Have As Pets In Most Countries

African Greys are legal to have as pets in most countries, not just the United States. These birds can live up to 60 years and make for great companions. They can live in human society if taken care of properly and should be provided with daily exercise, a varied diet, and lots of attention.

African Greys Can Talk, But Not As Well As Other Types Of Parrots

African Grey Parrots are a common type of pet. They are not as intelligent as some other types of parrots, but they can talk and have a wider range of vocabulary. If you have a love for birds, this could be a great type of pet to consider.

Teaching your African Grey to talk can be accomplished by starting with the basics. First thing is to get familiar with their sounds. We must say that African Greys usually emit different sounds for various needs. For example, when they are stressed or feel a little anxious they make long continuous screeches.

They emit various other sounds, but the difference lies in how they have been trained. If you want to teach your African Grey how to talk, you will need patience and persistence.

A great way to teach them is to slowly try to reproduce the sounds they make. Then give your bird a treat after they have made the sound you’ve asked for.

They Are Social And Need A Lot Of Attention

African Grey Parrots make great pets if they are socialized with humans early in life. They need a lot of attention and don’t do well in places that aren’t bustling with activity. They need a lot of toys to play with and mental stimulation. Without it, they can become bored and destructive. African Greys usually enjoy interacting with people and other pets in the household. They crave constant positive feedback and they take it personally when people ignore them.

They Make A Lot Of Noise

They are known to mimic human voices and are excellent at mimicking sounds from their environment, which can be a major drawback for some people. They like to be the center of attention and will do everything in their power to make sure they get all the attention from the people around them.

African Grey Parrots are not only intelligent and can be taught to mimic speech, but they also have unique personalities. They make a lot of noise, but with appropriate training, they can be taught to control this tendency somewhat. They are also very playful and need a lot of attention to ensure that they do not become lonely. They often play by themselves with toys but will need plenty of attention from their owners as they do get bored easily.

Synopsis

African Greys make great pets for people who want a lot of attention. They are very intelligent, curious, and social birds. They are also very beautiful and exotic looking. The only disadvantage is that they have a tendency to bite and scream at people.

nick 1

Nicholas Burns – Veterinary Technician, amateur Ornithologist

Nick has volunteered at bird rescues since he was a teenager and worked as a veterinary technician for almost two decades. He has extensive experience with animal care and a special love for birds, especially his African Grey, Scrooge (who knows all the bad words!).

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