African Grey Parrot

I got my African Grey when I was thirty-two years old and he has been with me through marriages, house moves, and the loss of family members. He outlived my cat and my dog. At twenty years old he is still learning new words and still shouts my name when I am late coming home. If you are looking for …

People ask me if my African Grey really understands what he says, and after eleven years my honest answer is sometimes, yes. He uses phrases appropriately, distinguishes between family members by name, and once told a plumber 'excuse me' when the man accidentally stepped near his cage. I have had do…

I adore my African Grey but I want to be honest with potential owners. She screams when bored, she has bitten me hard enough to leave bruises, and she went through a feather-plucking phase that cost me hundreds in vet bills. On the positive side she is breathtakingly clever and her talking ability i…

I owned budgies and a cockatiel before getting my African Grey and the difference in intellectual engagement is enormous. My grey plays puzzle toys, learns new words weekly, and holds what feel like genuine conversations. He is also expensive, loud when unhappy, and absolutely requires daily sociali…

I have had my African Grey, Einstein, for fifteen years now and he still surprises me. Last week he called my wife by name when she walked through the door. His vocabulary is well over three hundred words and he uses many of them in context. Yes, he demands attention and gets grumpy if ignored, but …

My grey is nine years old and honestly my best friend at this point. He talks constantly, asks for food by name, and even says 'I love you' when I leave the room. The downside is he really does not tolerate changes. When I redecorated the living room he feather-plucked for a month. Once things settl…

African Greys are not cheap, and they are not low-maintenance. But after six years with my bird I cannot imagine life without him. He talks, he problem-solves, he even seems to read my mood. On bad days he will say 'it is okay' softly and lean against my hand. I do wish I had known more about their …

There are days when I forget this bird is a bird. She watches television and comments on it. She knows the word 'no' and understands its meaning because she uses it back at me when I try to return her to her cage. She is simultaneously the most rewarding and most demanding pet I have ever owned. I r…

My grey is clever beyond anything I expected. She has memorised the sounds of my keys and announces my arrival before I open the door. However, she also throws screaming tantrums if I skip her morning interaction even once. Taking a holiday requires careful planning because she notices any change in…