Grey Parrot

Scientific name: Psittacus erithacus

diet: Herbivore

range:Middle Africa, Western Africa [VIEW MAP]

habitat:Dry Forests, Grasslands, Urban Areas

Viewing Hints:

Look for Larry the grey parrot in a bird presentation at the World of Wild Theater with his other feathered friends. Check your map for presentation times!

Photos and Videos

General Information:

Grey parrots have been widely studied in the field of psychology and animal behavior. Studies suggest that these birds have the intelligence level of a 4 to6-year-old human child. At least one grey parrot was known to use words to identify colors and objects and to even make new words for items he was previously unfamiliar with.

Physical Features and Characteristics:

Grey parrots are named for their almost entirely grey bodies. They have brilliant red tails which scientists believe assist with camouflage from predators. This stout parrot weighs around ¾ of a pound with a 7 to 8-inch wingspan. Like other members of the Psittacine order, these parrots have zygodactyl feet which allow them to easily move through tree branches to reach nearby fruits and flowers. Their short tails allow for moving around dense forests.

Lifestyle and Reproduction:

These parrots can be found in large flocks of up to 10,000 individuals, although feeding occurs in flocks closer to 30 in number. Monogamous breeding typically occurs during the dry season. Birds nest in cavities in tree hollows of dead or rotting trees or use a tree hollow created by another animal.

Range:

Grey parrots span the forest belt of central and west Africa.

Habitat:

They can be found in moist lowland forest while also being found at 2,200m and in urban areas.

Diet:

Their wild diet includes seeds, nuts, fruits, some insects and even bark. At the Zoo, Larry enjoys his diet of commercially-prepared bird pellets, seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables.

Conservation:

The pet trade has heavily impacted grey parrot numbers due to their incredible ability to mimic sounds in their environment. It is thought that between the late 1990s and early 2000s, some 100,000 birds were captured from Cameroon for the pet trade in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Habitat loss is also a factor as nesting site options decline with deforestation.