Grey parrot

Psittacus erithacus

Grey parrots are exceptionally talented mimics: in the wild, they have been shown to mimic the calls of nine species of bird and even one species of bat.

Red List

Endangered

Breeding programme

The grey parrot is the largest parrot in Africa and one of the most popular pet birds in Europe and America. It is best known for its ability to mimic sounds and voices, particularly human speech. Even wild grey parrots imitate voices – though those of other animals.

The background noise becomes particularly loud when danger threatens or when the grey parrots settle in a tree for the night. They then often let out loud screeches and whistles. If an enemy is spotted, all the parrots fly up from the tree, screeching, and make a deafening racket.

Taxonomy

Psittacidae, genus Psittacus (2 species)

Habitat

forests in western Central Africa

Migratory behaviour

loyal to the location

Social structure

foraging in flocks of around 30 birds; roosting sites with up to 10,000 birds; breeding in pairs

Taxonomy

Psittacidae, genus Psittacus (2 species)

Habitat

forests in western Central Africa

Migratory behaviour

loyal to the location

Social structure

foraging in flocks of around 30 birds; roosting sites with up to 10,000 birds; breeding in pairs

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Grey parrots are exceptionally talented mimics: in the wild, they have been shown to mimic the calls of nine species of bird and even one species of bat.

Taxonomy

Habitat

Migratory behaviour

Social structure

Grey parrot

Taxonomy

Habitat

Migratory behaviour

Social structure

Tierstimme