Avian Medicine:
Basic Information Sheet for the African Grey Parrot

• Natural history
• Taxonomy
• Subspecies
• Physical description
• Diet
• Husbandry
• Behavior
• Normal physiologic values
• Anatomy/physiology
• Restraint
• Venipuncture
• Preventive medicine
• Important medical conditions
• References

African Grey Parrots are among the most familiar of all parrots. Originating from central Africa, many African cities now have feral populations. The Timneh Grey Parrot is localized to the Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. Habitats for Grey Parrots include savannahs, coastal mangroves, woodland and edges of forest clearings. African Greys are listed under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II, which means these species are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless their trade is strictly regulated.

P.e. erithacus – Congo African Grey Parrot
P.e. timneh – Timneh African Grey Parrot

Two subspecies of the Grey parrot are the larger, more popular Congo Grey parrot and the smaller Timneh.

• The Grey is a medium-sized parrot with a bare facial patch.
• Iris color is black for the first 4 months of age, but changes fully to yellow by 4 years old.
• The Timneh Grey parrot has a horn-colored beak, dark grey body, maroon tail, and white around the eyes.
• The Congo Grey has a black beak, silver-grey body that is lighter around eyes and rump, red tail, and white around the eyes.
• African Grey parrots are sexually monomorphic.

• Greys are granivores and frugivores. Free-ranging birds feed on seeds, figs, and fruits.
• Known to be fussy feeders, African Greys prefer seeds, which can lead to nutritional deficiencies, including calcium deficiencies.
• Since psittacines hull seeds before ingestion, they do not require grit. In fact, some individuals will overeat grit when ill putting them at risk for impaction.
• All-seed diets are deficient in protein, vitamins, and minerals including calcium and vitamin A.

• Grey parrots produce a lot of powder down. Offer daily baths or showers.
• Offer a full-spectrum light to birds not exposed to natural lighting.
• Cage bar spacing should be 0.75-1.0 in (1.9-2.5cm) with a perch diameter of approximately 1 in (2.5 cm).
• Introduce new objects slowly to reduce stress.

• Grey parrots are very intelligent birds. They are often able to mimic many sounds and talk.
• These intelligent birds require plenty of physical and mental stimulation.
• If special efforts are not taken, Greys can easily become “one person” birds.
• Feather damaging behavior is a common problem in Grey parrots, particularly in individuals that are not given the attention they need or with abrupt changes in routine.

• African Gray parrots produce lots of powder down.
• Iris color is black for the first 4 months of age, but changes fully to yellow by 4 years.
• Anatomic traits of Order Psittaciformes include:
  • Communication of the right and left nasal sinus
  • The only avian tongue with intrinsic muscles
  • Simply syrinx
  • Craniofacial hinge of beak is a synovial joint
  • Ceca absent
  • Gall bladder often absent
  • Zygodactyl foot: two toes pointed backward and two pointed forward

• Restrain Grey parrots by holding the thumb and forefinger under the mandible and securing the outer wing with the remaining three fingers. Use the opposite hand to hold the feet.
• Facial bruising can be seen if fingers are placed over the bare facial patch.

Use a 26-gauge needle and 1 to 3-mL syringe to draw blood from the right jugular vein. Collection of up to 1% of body weight is acceptable in healthy patients.

• Obtain a complete history and perform a thorough annual physical examination.
• Establish baseline data with regular clinical testing (complete blood count, protein electrophoresis, and plasma biochemistries.
• Ensure proper nutrition and husbandry.
• Recommend quarantine of newly acquired birds.
• Perform additional testing for select diseases based on history and physical exam findings: avian polyoma virus and avian chlamydiosis.
• Determine origin and history of newly acquired sick birds to contain and prevent further spread of disease.
• Birds housed in large groups or aviaries are at higher risk of Pacheco’s disease virus and use of the vaccine may be indicated.
• The avian polyoma virus vaccine is recommended for breeding populations.

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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Appendices I, II, and III.  Valid from Apr 27, 2011. Available at: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php. Accessed June 8, 2011.

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Harcourt-Brown N, Chitty J (eds).  BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd ed. Quedgeley, Glouchester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2005. Pp. 4, 28. 

Harcourt-Brown N, Chitty J (eds).  BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd ed. Quedgeley, Glouchester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2005. Pp. 4, 28. 

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Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing; 2006. Pp. 174, 176, 386, 583-585.

Koustos EA, Matson KD, Klasing KC. Nutrition of birds in the order Psittaciformes: a review. J Avian Med Surg15(4):257-275, 2001.

Lafeber Company. The African Grey Parrot. LafeberCares Web site. Available at: http://www.lafebercares.com/knowledge/birds/africangrey.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.

Low R. Parrots in aviculture: A photoreference guide. Pickering, Ontario; Silvio Mattachione & Co; 1992. P. 82.

Morgan D. Bird Care. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications; 2005. Pp. 15-16, 17-18.

O’Malley B. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 156-157.

Tully TN. Birds. In: Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 256, 262, 270-271, 276.

Tully TN, Lawton MPC, Dorrestein GM. Avian Medicine. Oxford; Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000. Pp. 26-34, 43-51.