The African grey parrot is the smartest bird there is. As a household pet, he can fill the role of a buddy and a soul mate. An African grey is like a friend. He will love you, get angry with you, talk to you, play with you and bond with you. What more could you want from a family pet?

This bird’s scientific name is Psittacus erithacus. That is the genus and the species. It has just the one species; however, there are two separate subspecies. Of these two subspecies, the first one’s scientific name is Psittacus erithacus erithacus. You may have heard it called the Congo African grey. Second of these is the Psittacus erithacus timneh, also known as the Timneh African grey. Central and Western Africa is the home of the Congo grey. These birds are larger, weighing in at fourteen to twenty one ounces. You will find the Timneh greys living wild in Sierra Leone and also in the Ivory Coast area. They weigh a bit less than Congo greys. There may be a third species of African grey that has been found on Princepe Island. Avian experts are still trying to decide if this is true. This bird is called P.e. Princeps, tentatively. Many people think that P.e. Princeps is another variety of Congo grey.Two characteristics that are universal among all greys is a white or gray patch of skin that surrounds their eyes as well as their black feet. All of them have smooth grey plumage, which is soft looking in appearance. The Congo’s are a paler shade, their beaks are completely black, and at maturity their tail feathers are a dark red color. The Timneh’s are characterized by a two-toned beak, and you will find hints of taupe and maroon coloring among their darker grey feathers.In their natural habitat, the rainforest areas, these birds live in flocks, and they usually bond in a monogamous fashion with their mate until death or separation ends their relationship. They mostly eat fruit and nuts, which they find at the tops of trees. They are very watchful in their native setting–to avoid being some predator’s lunch!–and they are successful at keeping themselves pretty safe because they are among the most intelligent of all birds.So what can be expected when you decide to make one of these marvelous birds a part of your family? You can expect the African grey to be just like a child. As a rule they will act like a two year old child, but will have the intelligence of a child who is five. It is a native instinct for the parent to bond with a mate, and so, they will become particularly attached to their human owner as a result.It will be your job to bring your bird into the family and show him that he can trust you. If you are the one he bonds with most solidly, it is your responsibility to ensure that he maintains social behavior with everyone else in the family. You’ll find that your African grey is very perceptive of your feelings, most likely because of the observation skills required of these birds in their natural habitat. In fact, your bird will actually notice if you are having a down day, and he’ll be eager to interact with you.He definitely will not respond well if he’s surrounded by constant shouting, loud noises, and unhappy or mad faces. He won’t take kindly to having his beak tapped. Greys are flock animals and will be expected to be treated as an equal… although he may have a strong desire to be the enter of attention!When you bring home a parrot, it is like adopting a child. Understand that African greys remain immature for approximately 5 years. After that time, it will take another 5 years for the bird to reach full maturity. The grey has a life expectancy on average of 40 to 50 years.Knowing the proper technique to use on how to get your bird to play with you is important. Convincing the parrot to rock or bob along with you is one way to interact with him in a playful way. Remember to initially move slowly around him because he must build up his trust in you. Some people report that when they purchase a new toy for their bird, they play with it for awhile initially, showing lots of enthusiasm so that the bird will want to play with it as well. Many experts recommend that you keep them close to you throughout the time you spend at home. If you are in the family room, kitchen, or even the bathroom, move his cage or perch close to you so that he can watch what you’re doing. He will get enjoyment watching what you are doing, and he enjoys it if you praise him.Probably the best part is getting them to talk or make noises. These birds are well known for mimicking the sounds around them. They can copy human voices, and they can give precise imitations of other animals as well as local sound effects.If you are looking for a terrific addition to your family, look no further than the African grey parrot. This bird is going to bring much enjoyment to you.