African Grey Parrot

The grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus ), also known as the Congo grey parrot, Congo African grey parrot or African grey parrot, is an Old World parrot in the family Psittacidae. The Timneh parrot (Psittacus timneh) once was identified as a subspecies of the grey parrot but has since been elevated to a full species.

General Information:

Common Name:African grey parrot
Scientific Name:Psittacus Erithacus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family:Psittacidae

Description

The grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus ), also known as the Congo grey parrot, Congo African grey parrot or African grey parrot, is an Old World parrot in the family Psittacidae. The Timneh parrot (Psittacus timneh) once was identified as a subspecies of the grey parrot but has since been elevated to a full species.

Distribution

African grey parrots are native to equatorial Africa, including Angola, Cameroon, the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda. They are found inside a range from Kenya to the eastern part of the Ivory Coast.

Habitat

These birds favor dense forests, but can also be found at forest edges, mangrove forest, and in more open vegetation types, such as gallery and savanna forests. They can also visit cultivated areas and even gardens.

Mating Habits

African grey parrots are monogamous and have lifelong pair bonds. They breed in loose colonies, but each pair needs their own tree for nesting. Nests are in tree cavities where the female lays 3 to 5 eggs. She incubates them for 30 days while being fed by her mate. Both parents defend their nesting sites and help take care of the chicks until they can go off on their own. The young leave the nest at the age of 12 weeks and become completely independent from their parents at 2-3 years of age. Reproductive maturity is reached when they are 3 to 5 years old.

Diet

African grey parrots are herbivores (frugivores, granivores) and most of their diet consists of fruit, nuts, and seeds. They prefer oil palm fruit and will also supplement their diet with flowers and tree bark, as well as insects and snails.

Threats

Agriculture & aquaculture

Annual & perennial non-timber crops

Biological resource use

Hunting & trapping terrestrial animals.
Logging & wood harvesting

IUCN Status

Endangered