Our campaigns Current campaigns Don't Pet Me: wild animals are not pets Species factsheets Facts about African grey parrots Did you know African grey parrots are cognitively complex creatures, with cognitive abilities comparable to that of a 4-6 year-old child? Read more facts about these amazing birds below. Where are African grey parrots from? African grey parrots are native to the lush rainforests of equatorial Africa. In their natural habitat, they can travel up to 10 kilometres a day. Sadly, they are among the most exported and exploited bird species in the world. How long do African grey parrots live? African grey parrots have an incredibly long lifespan — many live around 60 years, and some even reach 80. The high expected life span of grey parrots is often underrated by owners and they often outlive their human companions. As a result, these intelligent birds may be rehoused multiple times throughout their lives, which can be highly stressful. Indeed, african grey parrots have been known to experience grief when passed between owners. Are African grey parrots suitable as pets? No, African grey parrots are wild animals that suffer in captive environments and should not be bought as pets. They are also classed as ‘extreme’ on the EMODE scoring system, which assesses how difficult certain species of wild animals are to keep as pets. In captivity, African grey parrots are typically housed in cages or large aviaries. However, the consistently high humidity they require is rarely replicated in these environments, which is why these animals often suffer from respiratory issues. African grey parrots are highly social animals. Worryingly a significant number of African grey parrots in captivity are not having their social needs adequately met. According to the Exopet study, 32% of surveyed owners keep their parrots alone, despite the species’ strong need for companionship. This lack of social interaction can lead to serious consequences, including the development of behavioural disorders such as aggression, persistent vocalisation, feather plucking, and even self-harm. Do African grey parrots need a companion? African grey parrots need a lot of social interaction. They are highly social and live in very large flocks. At night, African grey parrots nest in large flocks sometimes consisting of thousands of individuals. By day, they break off into smaller family groups where they forage together and maintain close socials bonds. It is impossible for their social needs to be met in captivity. Can African grey parrots talk? Yes, African grey parrots are famous for their exceptional ability to mimic human speech. They are cognitively complex creatures, with cognitive abilities comparable to that of a 4-6 year-old child. In captivity, these intelligent birds cannot be given sufficient mental stimulation, and so can suffer from boredom, stress, or even depression. How many African grey parrots are there? Due to the international trade in wild animals kept as “exotic pets” the number of African grey parrots in the wild is rapidly declining and they’re classed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is estimated that there is a global population of between 560,000 and 12.7 million. In some African countries there has been a population decline of up to 90%. It is illegal to trade in wild caught African grey parrots. What do African grey parrots eat? In the wild, African grey parrots feed on seeds, nuts, fruits and berries, preferably from the treetops. The fruit of palm oil is the main component of their diet that also includes maggots. They spend between 40-50% of their waking time searching for or accessing food. The variety of wild parrots' diets cannot be replicated in captivity. An unbalanced diet, incorrect nutrition and an oversupply of food cause the animals to become ill. In fact, many illnesses present in captive birds have their basis in malnutrition. Manage Cookie Preferences