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African rainforest
Grey parrot
Psittacus erithacus
A grey parrot with a white face, a black beak and a bright red tail, famous for its intelligence.
- Size
- About 33cm long
- Look for it
- All year round
- Where
- Rainforest of western and central Africa
My spotter's list
Hops and flutters after you, tilting its head. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about the grey parrot
MindOne of the cleverest birds
Grey parrots can solve puzzles, count small numbers and understand ideas such as bigger, smaller and different.
MimicA brilliant mimic
They copy sounds very accurately. In the wild they mimic other birds; in captivity they copy human speech.
FlocksNoisy roosts
At dusk, hundreds or thousands gather to roost together, calling loudly.
PairsPartners for life
Grey parrots pair for life and nest in holes high in forest trees.
AgeA long life
They can live for forty to sixty years.
TroubleEndangered by the pet trade
So many were trapped for the pet trade that wild grey parrots are now endangered. Trade in wild birds is banned.
The real thing
Photos of the grey parrot
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
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Out and aboutHow to spot one
At dawn and dusk, look up for fast-flying flocks crossing the forest and listen for their loud whistles and squawks.
Lend a handHow to help
Never buy a wild-caught parrot. Trade in wild grey parrots is banned, and trapping is the main reason they are endangered.
Following youLadybird
Who should follow you?
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