African Grey Parrot

The African Grey Parrot is a stocky, medium-sized parrot covered almost entirely in scalloped shades of ash-grey, with paler grey edging to the feathers of the head, neck, and underparts giving a subtly scaled texture. It has a bold white patch of bare skin surrounding pale yellow eyes, a heavy black bill, and a short, squared tail that is a vivid, contrasting bright red, unlike any other coloring on the bird.

The species is widely regarded, based on extensive scientific study, as one of the most intelligent birds known, with documented capacities for advanced problem-solving, vocal learning, and use of vocalizations in ways that suggest sophisticated cognitive abilities. In the wild, it lives in the dense forests of West and Central Africa, where it is now considerably less common than it once was.

Key field marks

• Overall ash-grey body with subtly scaled feather edging
• Bright red tail, contrasting sharply with the grey body
• Bare white skin patch around the eye
• Heavy black bill

Similar species

• Timneh Parrot (sometimes considered a subspecies) is smaller and darker grey with a maroon (not bright red) tail and a paler, horn-colored upper bill.
• No other African parrot combines an all-grey body with a fully red tail, making this species distinctive within its range.

Habitat

Inhabits lowland primary and secondary rainforest, forest edge, clearings, and gallery forest along rivers.

Range

Found across West and Central Africa, from parts of the Ivory Coast and Ghana east through the Congo Basin to western Kenya and Uganda.

Migration

Generally resident, though flocks may make local seasonal movements in response to the availability of fruiting trees.

Behavior

Highly social, typically seen in pairs or flocks that gather at communal roosts, particularly in the evening, when large numbers may fly in together, calling loudly.

Voice

A variety of loud whistles, shrieks, and screeches, along with an exceptional capacity for mimicking other sounds, including the calls of other bird species.

Feeding

Forages mainly in the forest canopy for fruit, seeds, nuts, and some leafy vegetation, using its strong bill and feet to manipulate food.

Nesting

Nests in tree cavities, typically high in large forest trees; lays 3-5 white eggs.