African Grey Congo Information

BIRD INFORMATION (African Grey Congo)

Yes, the African Grey parrot is actually from Africa. There are two subspecies of African Grey parrots, the Congo African Grey and the Timneh African Grey. Here at Windy City Aviary we breed the Congo African grey. The Congo African grey is slightly larger than the Timneh, and has bright red tail feathers. The Timneh's tail feathers are darker (maroon), and overall the Timneh usually has slightly darker coloration than the Congo African grey, especially over the back. The African Grey Congo is a beautiful, intelligent parrot, that would make a wonderful addition to your family, as long as you have the patience to give them the attention that they need and deserve. Owning a parrot is something that takes lots of love and time, in order to have a good relationship with them. They have definite needs, and if fulfilled, you will have a lifelong friend. The Congo African greys are excellent mimics and can imitate the human voice as well as every day sounds like the door bell, telephone, answering machine, etc. They do not always just repeat, they can understand some of what they say, by knowing the right response what is spoken to them. These highly intelligent birds require a lot of attention and stimulation and can become quite devoted to their owners. They are relatively quiet and domestic pets and are great at mimicking the sounds they hear. In summary the African grey plumage and bright red tail feathers are stunning, so the African Grey is the perfect mix of brains and beauty.

Appearance - The African Grey Congo is mostly light grey with accents of white in color and tail feathers turn a beautiful bright red and a solid black beak. The baby African Grey will have dark grey, even black eyes until they reach six months of age. After that, their eyes start to lighten, which is a good way to determine if a African Grey is less than six months of age.

Average Size - 13 to 16 inches (33 - 41 cm) Long (Larger bird, but has a short tail)

Average Weight - 400 to 650 grams

Life Span - 50+ years with proper care, reaches sexual maturity at about 3 - 4 years

Sexing - Undeterminable by appearance, the only way to be absolutely sure about the sex of your African Grey Parrot is DNA testing using blood or pulled feathers. Usually the male African Grey parrot has a flatter, wider head and is a little bigger in size than the female African Grey parrot. The female African Grey parrot usually has a longer, thinner neck.

Diet - Specialized pelleted diets are highly recommended and should consist of 60–70% of the diet; use fortified seeds in moderation as they are higher in fat and less nutritious than pellets. Fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples, berries, pears, grapes, broccoli, and carrots. Clean, fresh, filtered and chlorine-free water changed daily

Do not feed birds fruit seeds, avocados, chocolate, alcohol or caffeine as these can cause serious medical problems

Feeding - If your bird is used to a seed diet, convert to pellets gradually; fresh pellets or seeds and fresh, clean, chlorine-free water should always be available. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be given daily and discarded when not eaten within 24 hours; they appreciate quality and variety in their food they do well when fed on a variety of foods, as well as commercial pellets. Pasta, beans, pine nuts, and porridge all make fine treats for African Grey Congo.

Housing - Birds acclimate well to average household temperatures; but be cautious of extreme temperature change; cage should be placed off the floor in an area that is well-lit and away from drafts. A cage approximately 36"W x 36"D x 48"H, with metal bars spaced no greater than 1" apart, makes a good home for your African Grey. Perches should be at least 9" long and no smaller then 3/4" in diameter; a variety of perch sizes to exercise feet and help prevent arthritis is recommended, do not place food or water containers under perches. A metal grate over the droppings tray will keep the bird away from droppings.

Housing Maintenance - Clean and disinfect the cage and perches regularly; replace cage liner weekly or more often if needed; replace food and water daily. Replace perches, dishes and toys when worn or damaged; rotate new toys into the habitat regularly. Ensure that there are no cage parts or toys with lead, zinc or lead and lead-based paints or galvanized parts as these can cause serious medical issues if ingested by your bird.

Grooming - African Greys are from the humid wet climate so daily showers are recommended, shower only when temperatures are above 70 degrees. After showering keep your African Grey away from any drafts and allow ample time to dry and groom before bed time. . African Greys kept in homes that are dry may have itchiness and poor feather quality. Humidity levels should be between 40 - 50%. Showers consist of misting the bird with water or a grooming spray. Clipping of flight feathers is not necessary, but highly recommended and when done correctly it can help prevent injury or escape; consult an avian veterinarian on what is best for your bird. Nails should be trimmed by a qualified person to prevent injury to the bird

Normal Behavior and Interaction - Needs to be socialized when young to channel their excitement and curiosity. Can learn to say a few words or short sentences. Can be affectionate

Signs of a Healthy Bird

• Active, alert, and sociable

• Eats and drinks throughout the day

• Dry nostrils and bright, dry eyes

• Beak, legs, and feet normal in appearance

• Clean, dry vent

• Smooth, well-groomed feathers

Warning Red Flags - If you notice any of these signs, please contact your avian veterinarian.

• Feather plucking.

• Beak swelling or accumulations

• Fluffed, plucked, or soiled feathers

• Sitting on floor of housing

• Wheezing or coughing

• Runny or discolored stools

• Favoring one foot

• Eye or nasal discharge

• Red or swollen eyes

• Loss of appetite

• Labored breathing

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