FEATHERY FRIDAY #5

FEATHERY FRIDAY#5

We’re very excited about today’s Feathery Friday! This bird is known to be very smart and great at imitating human speech. Wonder if they can do a good elephant or horse impression? Let’s meet today’s fabulous feathery friend…

MEET THE AFRICAN GREY PARROT!

Range/Habitat: West-Central Africa/lowland rainforest and farmland

Diet: Herbivore: fruit, nuts, leaves

Length/Weight: 13”/14 oz

Conservation Status: Common- Near Threatened

Fun Facts:

• African Grey Parrots are highly social birds that live in flocks.
• There are two subspecies (types) of African grey parrots: the Congo, who is larger and has a bright red tail and the Timneh, who is smaller and darker and has a maroon tail.
• When flying in large flocks African greys call to each other and communicate by flashing their bright red tails.
• They have a long life span. They can live up to 60+ years.
• They are highly intelligent and have been compared to human toddlers.
• African greys are highly vocal and are amazing at mimicking sounds and language!
• Alex is an African Grey Parrot that worked with Dr Irene Pepperberg and was known to do things such as sort colors, shapes and count! We’re going to write a separate post about Alex- he was a very special bird!

African grey parrots are very special birds! They’re very smart and social, a great combination! If you could teach a parrot to say one thing, what would it be? Ellie would teach him to trumpet like her!