The Congo African Grey Parrot
Congo African Greys are the most popular and intelligent parrots
Congo African Grey
The Congo African Grey parrot is the most common African Grey pet. And the African Grey parrot is the most talkative and intelligent of all parrots.
African Grey parrots make excellent pets and can learn to speak a very large vocabulary. They can even learn how to mimick different voices!
Greys can become one-person birds if you don’t socialize them enough with other people. They are also highly intelligent and so they can get bored easily. It’s important to provide them with plenty of toys (especially puzzle ones!) They are prone to feather plucking because of their risk of boredom.
The two subspecies of African Grey parrots (Congos and Timnehs) aren’t very different personality-wise. The Congo African Grey parrot is more popular, but some people believe they tend to be more high strung. So, some think that Timnehs are better companions. I think this depends on the bird, so it’s important to interact with a few before you adopt so you can draw your own conclusions.
Fast Facts
| Name | Congo African Grey Parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) |
| Origin | Africa |
| Size | 400-650 grams, 12-14″ |
| Color Differences | Congos are light gray with black beaks and bright red tail feathers. |
| Owner | Congos need an experienced parrot owner. |
| Average Cost | $1200 |
| Lifespan | Approximately 50 years in captivity |
| Noise | Congos are low to moderately noisy. They don’t tend to scream, so you can actually keep them in an apartment. |
| Qualities | Very intelligent, can be nervous and high strung, can read owners’ moods, not great with/for young children, can become a one-person parrot if not socialized well, need someone that is patient and gentle, females can be less aggressive than males, tend to get bored easily which can lead to feather plucking. |
| Abilities | Excellent – They are known for fantastic talking abilities. They can learn a very large vocabulary and learn to mimick different voices. Some can learn to use and understand vocabulary in context. |
| Interaction/Time Requirements | Congos need interaction daily and socialization with others. |
| Diet | They need a diet for large birds. |
| Supplies Needed | They need supplies for large birds. |
Congo African Grey Videos
“*Einstein the famous talking African Grey Parrot!*”
Congos are truly amazing pet birds. They are the most common parrots seen in animal shows and on television. This video shows just how entertaining and intelligent they can be!
“Amazing Talking One Year Old Congo African Gray!”
This video shows how Congos can learn to talk very well at a very young age!
“Tui the African Grey has a Tantrum”
This is a great video that shows how funny Congos can be with their voice mimicry and how they can likely know exactly what they are saying.
Congo African Grey Training
Congo Greys can become very aggressive if they are not trained properly from the start. They can be loving, caring, attached companions. But if they are not trained properly, they can become very sensitive and may not even be comfortable leaving their cage.
For this reason, we highly recommend that you find an effective training program for your African Grey. Whether your parrot is new to your home or you’ve had him for years, a training program will always come in handy. We personally recommend the Bird Tricks Parrot Training Course by Dave and Jamieleigh Womach. You can see many of their videos for free to get an idea of how much they know about parrots and how they can help you train yours.
Below is one of Dave’s videos about stopping your Grey’s biting. This video is a great example of how effective the training courses can be and how they are filled with a wealth of useful information for any bird owner.
This video is only the first step in getting your Grey hand tamed. We highly recommend checking out the BirdTricks Training Course for taming your parrot even further.
For more information about Dave and Jamieleigh’s courses, you can visit the Bird Tricks website HERE.
African Grey Education
To learn more about your pet African Grey, we recommend these books:
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | African Grey Parrot Owners Manual | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | African Grey Parrots (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | A New Owner's Guide to African Grey Parrots | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | African Grey Parrot Handbook (Barron's Pet Handbooks) | Prime | Add to Cart |
African Grey Gifts
Have a friend of family member who loves African Greys? Gift them something that will truly spark joy!
| Image | Title | Price | Prime | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | African Grey Parrot Mug, 11oz | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | African Grey Magnetic List Pads | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | It's Not A Home Without an African Grey Parrot Sign | Prime | Add to Cart | |
 | African Grey Mom Mug, 11oz | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | Love Hurts African Grey T-Shirt | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart | |
 | African Grey Shower Curtain | PrimeEligible | Add to Cart |
Related Articles:
- The Essential African Grey Supplies Checklist
- The 3 Must-Have Perches
- The Best Food For Your African Grey
- Find The Best African Grey Cage
- Toys Your African Grey Will Love
Have A Great Story About Your Congo African Grey?
Share your experience with others! There’s no better way to learn about a pet bird than from an owner.
Some helpful information for potential owners can be: What is the sex of your bird? Is he/she friendly? Loving? Cuddly? Talented? Messy? Loud? You get the idea!
Your comment may just help someone decide whether or not this pet bird is for them.
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