Animals Birds

African Grey Parrot

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Psittacus erithacus

PROFILE:

This bird is widely recognized for its intelligence and ability to mimic and speak. Recent research places their intelligence level with that of marine mammals, primates, and small children. Hundreds of African grey parrots will occupy a tree, socializing, preening, and vocalizing. To avoid land predators, small groups will take turns going down to the ground to feed while the others stay in the tree.

TYPE OF ANIMAL:

bird, psittaciformes, psittacidae (parrots and relatives)

NATIVE TO:

Africa

IUCN CONSERVATION STATUS:

near threatened

DIET:

herbivore

LIFESPAN:

Wild - up to 45 years; zoos - average 40-60 years.

SOCIAL STATUS:

colonies or flocks