Taxonomy

Despite numerous common names for African Greys, there are only three scientifically documented subspecies. There is the African Grey a.k.a. Congo Grey (Psittacus erithacus erithacus), the Timneh Grey a.k.a. Maroon Tailed African Grey (Psittacus erithacus timneh) and a third subspecies (Psittacus erithacus princes). Many aviculturists however, feel that Psittacus erithacus princes is not actually a separate subspecies but instead a variation of the nominate species Psittacus erithacus erithacus (African Grey). This belief has been pretty well accepted so you will be hard pressed to find any information or literature relating to the subspecies (Psittacus erithacus princes). You may also hear or have heard of common names such as Angola, Cameroon, Ghana or Togo Greys. These common names are all actually referring to the nominate species, Psittacus erithacus erithacus (African Grey), and are used loosely to describe from which region that specific Psittacus erithacus erithacus originated. Variances in African Greys size, weight and color are attributed to the region from which the bird originated. African Greys are classified as follows:

Kingodm: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Sub-phylum: Vertabrata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Sub Family: Psittacinae
Genus: Psittacus
Species: Erithacus
   Nominate Species: Erithacus (African Grey)
   Sub Species: Timneh (Timneh Grey), Princes (Uncommon)

There are numerous differences between the African Grey and Timneh Grey. Some differences are immediately visible while others are not. In general African Greys are larger than Timneh Greys. An adult African Grey should weigh between 300 and 600 grams and range from 34cm to 38cm in height. An adult Timneh Grey should weigh between 300 and 380 grams and range from 27cm to 32cm in height. Height and weight fluctuate between same species birds based on region of origin as well as sex. The African Grey is usually lighter in color than the Timneh Grey, however African Greys tend to be darker in color the farther south and east they are found within their range. The African Grey has a black beak both upper and lower mandible while a Timneh Grey has a black lower mandible with a light colored upper mandible with a dark tip. The tail feathers from an African Grey are usually crimson red while those of the Timneh Grey are darker ranging from maroon to brown. The African Grey in is said to have a more aggressive demeanor while the Timneh Grey is said to be more docile. Other than the fact that African Greys can be more aggressive, behavior, socialization and speech are pretty much similar between the two birds. Many people claim that African Greys are better 'talkers', however there is no current data to support that theory and without proper testing that theory is difficult to prove. The ability for any individual bird to mimic or speak is heavily influenced by environment, socialization and human interaction.

The aforementioned differences between the African Grey and the Timneh Grey are some of the most obvious differences between the two species. However these differences are generalizations and because of the large variations in physical characteristics between same species birds from different regions, are not always accurate.

This website and all of its articles are written about the African Grey (Psittacus erithacus erithacus). Many articles such as socialization and proper diet may apply to both species; however more specific articles such as techniques for hand-feeding chicks apply specifically to the African Grey.

Geography

Both the African Grey and Timneh Grey originate from the continent of Africa. The African Grey can be found throughout a much larger range that spans from the Southeastern Ivory Coast to Northern Angola as far east as Western Kenya. The smaller range of the Timneh Grey extends from Central Guinea to the Ivory Coast.

Physical Characteristics of the African Grey Parrot

Adult African Greys weigh between 300 and 600 grams and range from 34cm to 38cm tall. These are enormous variations in size and weight and are determined by the region from which the bird originates as well as the sex of the specimen. Plumage is grey throughout the body and the legs. African Greys found closer to Ivory Coast are lighter in color and become darker as the range extends east and south. The tail feathers are crimson red. The face is covered by minute white feathers that resemble tiny hairs. The crown, neck and upper back feathers are grey with white borders on the outer edge giving the plumage a shingled appearance. The beak is large hook shaped with black upper and lower mandibles and with the upper mandible hinged to the bones of the head. The iris of the bird is a light yellow or gold. Prior to sexual maturity, the African Grey iris is light grey and can be difficult to see giving the appearance that young birds have black eyes. The life span of an African Grey is about 40 - 50 years. African Greys reach sexual maturity at approximately 3-4 years of age.