Going Grey

When discussing the pros and cons of a particular species of parrot, I try to be objective, but it’s hard to contain my enthusiasm for my one of my favorites: African greys parrots. Having hand fed many grey babies, and owning two greys myself, I have a real appreciation for them. They aren’t a flashy, colorful bird, and they don’t tend to show of as much as other parrots such as macaws or Amazons. But if you’re lucky enough to enter the "inner circle" of a grey, you’ll see a creature with an intelligent demeanor that gives you the feeling there’s more going on in that head than you will ever know.

Research with the late, great Alex, an African grey parrot owned by researcher Irene Pepperberg, has provided evidence that parrots are cognitively on par with young children. They can recognize shapes and colors. They can count and do simple math, and their ability to speak isn’t just mimicry. Alex is the most well-known example of what a grey can achieve, and although many of Dr. Pepperberg’s results can be applied to other species of parrots, the African grey in particular seems to be one of the smartest of the smart. Because greys are so smart, they can become easily bored, and it’s not enough to just provide toys. Greys need a lot of attention from their owners to stay happy and healthy.

Along with intelligence, African greys exhibit a sensitive nature that can easily go overboard in some situations. This sensitivity contributes to some of the grey’s less desirable qualities, especially seen in birds that weren’t socialized well. Greys have a reputation for being skittish and inflexible. When they’re really afraid, they tend to thrash about in a panicked frenzy, growling or screaming. A grey that’s not terrified but merely suspicious will either growl a bit or shoot you a look that lets you know something’s not cool with him. If you don’t respect this, you may be treated to the aforementioned fit or a nice chomp on the finger. Keep him in a constant state anxiety and you’re likely to end up with the stereotypical neurotic African grey: Feather plucked, afraid of everything, and almost impossible to handle. Greys like this get passed from home to home and have little hope unless rescued by someone who knows how to deal with these little "basket cases".

Reputation for being nervous Nellies aside, talking ability is what African greys are best known for, and if you were to poll all the people who’ve ever had a grey, it will be one of the top reasons given as to why they chose the species. Breeders are eagerly willing to accommodate the demand. Greys are easy to come by, but too many babies are acquired by people who don’t pay close enough attention to how these babies are raised. Poor socialization often leads to a grey becoming rigid and easily spooked as he gets older. Babies need a variety of appropriate experiences when they’re young to help foster curiosity and confidence. Providing this type of upbringing can be time consuming and for some breeders, it’s not a priority. No parrot should be raised "assembly line" style, but for greys this is a major no-no. If the baby grey you’re considering buying is anything other than friendly and approachable, beware.

A properly socialized young grey is likely to enjoy attention from the whole family, but as he gets older, may develop a "one person bird" tendency. You can keep this from becoming too extreme to the point that no one but "the chosen one" can handle the bird. If a grey is to be a family pet, then everyone needs to be involved in his care on some level. Visitors should interact with the bird, and he should be taken on safe outings when possible. He can learn that being held and talked to by other people is a good thing. Don’t expect cockatoo-level cuddliness towards everyone, though. Greys tend to reserve their cuddles for the people they love best. Maybe you have what it takes to be one of those people.

This article was co-authored by Chet Womach and Kim Bear. Kim is a parrot behavioral specialist and has been helping people with their African Grey Parrots for many years. http://www.birdtricks.com/AfricanGreyParrots/