African Grey Parrot

Psittacus erithacus

"Worst Choice" Pet Worst Choice

African Grey Parrots occur naturally in the moist, lowland forests of western and central Africa, especially Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya and Angola. Due to their gentle nature, intelligence, and ability to mimic human speech, these medium-sized parrots are popular pets. They can live up to 70 years in captivity.

The African Grey Parrot is the world’s third most commonly traded wild bird species. This high demand for the pet trade has led to significant trapping of wild birds and has seriously jeopardized the species’ survival in its native habitat. As a result, importation of wild-caught African Grey Parrots into the U.S. is prohibited under the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992. In addition, wild African Grey Parrot populations are suffering from habitat loss in many parts of Africa due to clearing of native forest.

Did You Know?

African Grey Parrots can live up to 70 years in captivity.

Source Sustainability Worst Choice

Does the harvest for wildlife trade or captive breeding of this species harm wild populations?

Significant Cause for Concern

Pet African Grey Parrots are either wild-caught or raised in captive-breeding facilities. Large numbers of wild birds are captured each year for the pet trade and native populations are believed to be declining. Due to this threat of extinction, international agreements restrict the trade and importation of wild-caught African Grey Parrots. Unfortunately, even with these restrictions, significant numbers of wild-caught birds reach the pet trade, both illegally and legally.

One way to identify a captive-bred parrot is to check for a closed (seamless) leg band. These bands can only be placed on baby birds that are less than three weeks old. Sometimes, however, wild parrot babies are stolen from nests and banded, so the presence of a leg band does not guarantee that a bird was captive-bred. Thus, even with a leg band, there is no safe way to assure that a bird was captive bred. For more information on parrot leg bands click here.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the African Grey Parrot as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Invasion Threat Best Choice

Does the release or escape of this species into the wild harm the environment and/or economy?

Little Cause for Concern

There is no evidence that African Grey Parrots pose a threat to native wildlife as an invasive species.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the African Grey Parrot as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Animal Welfare Worst Choice

Does harvest, captive breeding, transport, or being kept as a pet harm individual animals?

Significant Cause for Concern

African Grey Parrots are long lived and intelligent, and as pets they require special attention and care for the long term (up to 70 years). Captive birds are highly vulnerable to depression, which can lead to self-destructive behaviors such as feather plucking. African Grey Parrots also commonly suffer from nutritional deficiencies, which can lead to illness and death, because most commercially available parrot feeds do not provide sufficient nutrition.

Large numbers of wild-caught African Grey Parrots are believed to die during capture and transport. There is no oversight to ensure the health and well being of birds transported and traded illegally.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the African Grey Parrot as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

Health Threat Fair Choice

Does this animal pose a health risk to native wildlife, humans, livestock and agriculture?

Some Cause for Concern

African Grey Parrots are known to carry serious diseases that can be transmitted to humans; these include the avian flu viruses (HPAIV), the bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Chlamydophila psittaci) that cause tuberculosis and psittacosis (parrot fever), and intestinal and liver parasites (Enterocytozoon bieneusi). Imported African Grey Parrots also carry diseases that can be transmitted to other birds, such as avian paramyxovirus and a blood parasite called Haemoproteus.

PetWatch Recommendation:

PetWatch has classified the African Grey Parrot as a Worst Choice pet. It is not a recommended pet.

EcoHealth Alliance works at the intersection of ecosystem, animal and human health through local conservation programs and develops global health solutions to emerging diseases.
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