Grey Parrot

The African grey parrot feeds on a variety of fruits, seeds and nuts, particularly those of the oil-palm, Elaeis guineensis. It is also known to do damage to maize crops (3) (8). The species can travel considerable distances in search of fruiting trees (3), and may also make seasonal movements out of the driest parts of its range during the dry season (2). The African grey parrot often roosts in large groups, and forms large, noisy flocks, the birds calling to each other with a variety of squawks, whistles, shrieks and screams, both at rest and in flight (7). In addition to its ability to mimic human speech, this parrot has also been found to mimic other bird and mammal calls in the wild (12). Nests are generally a simple cavity, high in a tree (3). Usually, two to three eggs are laid, and hatch after an incubation of between 21 and 30 days, the young leaving the nest around 80 days later (3). Captive individuals may live up to 50 years (13). In recent years, research on a captive African grey parrot known as 'Alex' has highlighted the impressive intelligence of this species. As well as learning the names of over 50 objects, Alex was able to use English words to identify colours, shapes and quantities up to six, as well as to demonstrate an understanding of concepts such as bigger / smaller, same / different, and absence, and to use words and phrases to make simple requests. Such studies suggest that the intelligence of African grey parrots is comparable to that of marine mammals, apes and even young children (14).

The African grey parrot is still numerous and found over a wide range, and occurs in a number of protected areas such as Salonga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a World Heritage Site and the largest tropical rainforest reserve in Africa, although political instability here makes protection difficult (16). However, despite trade being monitored to some extent under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (4), current levels are considered unsustainable and the African grey parrot is now in decline (2) (10). Conservation measures proposed include reducing quotas and banning exports from some countries, as well as attempting tighter control of trade and increased monitoring and research (2) (10). BirdLife International have recommended that the subspecies be treated separately in terms of their status and conservation, particularly considering the greater scarcity of P. e. timneh (10), while others also suggest that the population on Príncipe, which is heavily harvested, should also be treated separately (11). Conservation of this isolated, and perhaps unique, population should be aided by the fact that it is the symbol of the island (11). The import of wild-caught African grey parrots is now banned in the USA under the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992, and in Europe under the EU Birds Directive of 2007 (9), and this may further help to decrease the level of trade in this highly intelligent bird. However, more research may now be needed into the trade in parrot heads and feathers if this emerging threat is to be effectively countered (15).

Famous for its intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, the African grey parrot is one of the most popular of all avian pets (2). One of the largest parrots in Africa (5), the plumage is pale grey, with whitish edges to the feathers on the head and neck, which give a lacy or 'scalloped' appearance. The flight feathers are darker grey, the rump pale and the short tail a striking red. The beak is black, and on the face a large area of bare white skin surrounds the pale yellow eye (3) (6) (7). Both males and females are similar in appearance, while juveniles can be recognised by a dark grey or black eye, grey-tinged undertail-coverts and a darker red tip to the tail (6) (7). Two subspecies are currently recognised: Psittacus erithacus erithacus, sometimes known as the red-tailed African grey parrot or the Congo African grey parrot, and Psittacus erithacus timneh, also known as the Timneh African grey parrot (2) (8) (9). P. e. timneh is smaller, with darker plumage, a dark maroon rather than red tail, red on the upper part of the beak and a distinctive call (2) (6) (7). There is thought to be very little interbreeding between the two subspecies, and some would prefer to have them classed as separate species (3) (10). A separate population of African grey parrots on the island of Príncipe in the Gulf of Guinea was previously considered a third subspecies, Psittacus erithacus princeps, but is now included with P. e. erithacus (4) (11).

Lowland moist forest, both primary and secondary; also observed at forest edges and clearings, and sometimes mangrove forest, gallery forest, savanna woodland and in cultivated areas. The African grey parrot is often found in areas of oil-palms (Elaeis guineensis), on which it likes to feed, and commonly roosts in raphia palms overhanging watercourses, or on offshore islands (2) (3).

The species has a wide distribution across tropical Africa, from Guinea-Bissau east to Kenya and Tanzania, and south to Angola (2), including populations on the islands of Príncipe and São Tomé (3). P. e. timneh is restricted to the western part of this range, from Guinea to Ivory Coast, with isolated populations in Guinea-Bissau and southern Mali (3) (6).

Classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List (1) and listed on Appendix II of CITES (4).

Habitat loss (particularly the loss of large nesting trees) is likely to be having a significant impact on African grey parrot populations. However, the main threat is the capture of large numbers of wild individuals for the international pet trade (2) (10). Estimates suggest that up to a fifth of the global population may be harvested annually to be sold as pets, though actual numbers captured are likely to be higher than those officially recorded, due to the number of birds that die during capture or transport, and due to illegal trade (2) (10). Worryingly, there also appears to be an increasing market for parrot heads and tail feathers, which are being harvested for purported medicinal purposes, and which are more easily stored and transported than live birds (15).