African Grey Parrot Care Guide
African grey parrots are a medium-sized parrot native to Africa, known for their intelligence and extensive vocabulary. There are two species. The Congo African grey is the larger and more well-known of the two, with a completely black beak and bright red tail feathers. The Timneh African grey is smaller, with a more pale-colored upper beak and darker tail feathers. Due to their extreme intelligence and sociable nature, African greys require lots of attention and plenty of stimulating activities throughout the day. Pet African grey parrots may live 40–60+ years.
Enclosure
African grey parrots should be housed in a large cage with minimum dimensions of 36″ long × 24″ wide × 48″ tall, though larger enclosures are preferred. Plenty of time outside the cage in a safe environment is also important. Numerous perches of varying width and texture should be provided. Good options include:
- Natural wood perches — manzanita, java, and dragonwood branches
- Cotton and sisal rope perches
- Pumice perches — useful for keeping nails trim, but use with caution. Limit to one pumice perch per cage and place it where the bird will not stand on it for most of the day
Sand paper perches should be avoided.
Temperature
As tropical species, African greys prefer warm temperatures in the 70–80°F range. Supplemental heating may be required if the temperature drops below 60°F.
Humidity
African greys prefer a humidity level of 50–60%, which can be measured with a hygrometer. A humidifier can be used if necessary. Many birds appreciate a warm misting or shower 1–2 times per week to encourage healthy skin and feathers.
Lighting
African grey parrots are known to occasionally suffer from low blood calcium levels, making UVB exposure especially important. UVB radiation allows birds to naturally produce vitamin D3, which enables calcium absorption from the diet. Calcium is essential for a strong skeleton, normal muscle contractions, egg laying, and normal nervous system function. The best source is unfiltered outdoor sunlight — glass windows block all UVB radiation. Always monitor your bird closely outdoors to prevent overheating or escape.
If safe outdoor access isn’t possible, a UVB lamp such as ZooMed’s Avistar 5.0 is a good alternative. Place it 12–18 inches from the bird and run it for about 6 hours a day.
Diet
As with other parrot species, it is recommended that 60–80% of the diet be in the form of a pellet. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and grains should make up the remainder. African greys may require slightly more protein and calcium than other parrots — ways to incorporate more of these nutrients include offering beans, quinoa, tofu, kale, apricots, almonds, and walnuts.
If you are switching your African grey to a pellet diet and need help, please refer to our handout on tips for diet conversion.
Enrichment
Living with an African grey requires lots of one-on-one time. When not interacting directly with their caretakers, these birds should have numerous toys and activities to explore in their cage. African greys benefit greatly from learning to forage for food — foraging occupies more of a bird’s day and encourages meaningful, natural behaviors.
African greys often enjoy puzzle toys that require problem-solving. Many options are available at pet stores and online. Homemade toys such as cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and cleaned-out plastic bottles are also great low-cost options.
Wellness & Preventive Care
African grey parrots should have an annual wellness exam and fecal evaluation. Depending on your bird and individual circumstances, infectious disease screening may also be appropriate. DNA sexing is available to determine if your bird is male or female. Microchipping is available and can help your bird find its way home in the event of an escape.
