Congo African Grey

African Grey Congo

What is it about the African Grey Congo that makes it the most sought after parrot in Europe and North America? Personality, intelligence and its uncanny ability to develop a vocabulary unlike any other parrot is reason enough.

The African Grey Congo is one of two species of African Grey, the other being the Timneh African Grey. The Congo, per their name, is native to the west-central part of Africa. Known to be excellent mimics, the African Grey Congo can literally amass over 200 words and speak them quite clearly.

In addition they have the talent to be able to mimic a wide variety of household sounds, including your smoke detector. Owners swear by their African Grey’s ability to understand concepts and actually have a conversation. We have developed a course to help teach your African Grey Congo to speak even better!

With beautiful grey plumage and red tail feathers, the African Grey is also known to be quite sensitive, and this is the primary reason why they most likely have the disposition of a two-year old child. Highly intelligent and a bit on the edgy side, nonetheless their comprehension level is equivalent to a five-year-old child.

What makes them so fascinating as well is the fact that because they live in large flocks, owning the African Grey gives you unprecedented access because they perceive you as one of their own.

Owners have asserted that the African Grey Congo requires a great deal of attention so that no matter what you may be doing during the course of the day, they like to be included in whatever activity you are engaging in. Cooking dinner, playing the guitar, doing laundry and playing video games, you can bet your African Grey will be getting in on the action and making sure they’re included.

Another aspect of the African Grey is that because they can become a bit emotional at times, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to them during the course of the day.

While hanging out with them is great, it is also important to spend time training them. African Greys are intelligent birds and training not only provides a structure, and positions you as the boss rather than the other way around, training helps you build a strong bond of trust with your bird.

The Congo African Greys is also known to be quite intuitive. Owners of the African Grey claim that this parrot seems to feel and react to their emotions. Also, it is said that once you acquire an African Grey, it will take time for you to gain their trust, again training and proper socialization is the best way to accomplish this.

They are fast becoming an endangered species due to the influx of over 400,000 being captured and exported to Europe, a two-year ban was initiated in January of 2007 to prevent their removal from Central and Eastern Africa for export to North America. Between deforestation and the pet trade, we run the risk of losing an amazing bird.

If you do have the good fortune to own a African Grey Congo, take the time and care to provide it an optimal environment. They required a cage size of about 18 x 18 and about three feet high.

This is a minimum cage requirement. Ideally, you will be able to provide your Congo African Grey a substantially larger cage and afford them several hours a day outside of their cage to hang with their flock – you and your family.

When you can’t be interacting with your Congo African Grey, be sure to provide them with an abundance of colorful non-toxic toys, perches of different sizes and textures, and plenty of fresh water.

It is also recommended that any object that is placed in their cage should be done so with care and attention as the African Grey is highly sensitive to new things. Socialization and regular training will teach your Congo to be more adaptable.

The Congo African Grey, like any bird, is susceptible to behavior problems. Among the most common are biting, screaming, and feather plucking. In general most behavior problems are caused by something lacking in the bird’s environment and this is usually the case with a Congo African Grey.

We highly suggest you spend time trick training your African Grey Congo to help overcome some of these problems. You can sign up for our free newsletter to get more insights on ways to combat behavior problems with your Congo.

Proper care, nutrition, regular exercise and attention, and the patience and love of an owner dedicated to training and cohabitating with a Congo African Grey are all that is needed to resolve a majority of behavior issues.

The Congo African Grey is far and away one of the most amazing bird species you’ll ever meet. If you have the great pleasure to know or own a Congo African Grey, you can count yourself among the lucky few.