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Animal-World > Pet Birds > African Grey Parrots > African Grey Timneh
African Grey Timneh
African Grey Parrots Index

African Grey Timneh

Family: PsittacidaeGandalf the Timneh African Grey "Gandalf" Psittacus timneh Photo � Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough
Latest Reader Comment - See More
I couldnt live without my baby timneh! Its name is shikobah. Dont know the sex yet but I'm thinking it's a female, it doesnt really matter to me. He/she is only four... (more)  criss  2007-12-06

   Gandalf is a very nice African Grey that is about 10-12 years old. Gandalf now lives happily with several other birds (macaws) and gets along well with everybody.

Scooter the Timneh African Grey"Scooter" Photo courtesy: Karen

   Karen sent Scooter's picture to us as one of our cutest featured pets!

  African Greys are probably the smartest birds. They can learn upwards of 200 words and all kinds of tricks. They are known to be the best talkers and frequently imitate lots of other sounds including the doorbell, telephones, microwaves, beepers, dripping faucets, etc.

  Once we had an African Grey and a Blue-fronted Amazon at the store: the African grey would ring the phone "ring-ring" and the Blue-fronted amazon would answer "Hello"!

Scientific Name: Psittacus timneh

Description:
   There are two species of African Grey generally kept as pets, the Congo (which has a red patch of feathers on the underside of the tail), and the Timneh (with no red tail feathers). Gandalf is a Timneh. They make a nice "jungle" sound when relaxed. When threatened or frightened they make a growling sound.

Care and feeding:
   A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of sprouts, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat. For an extensive parrot training system that potentially turns your bird into a fun, loving companion as well as learning lots of cool trickls, try Chet Womach's Parrot Training Course.

Distribution:
   These birds are native to various parts of Africa including Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, and islands off the west coast of Africa.

Size - Weight:
   African grey Timnehs grow to a length of 11 to 13 inches (27.5 - 32.5 cm).

Social Behaviors:
   They birds tame very easily and are very sociable. They can sometimes be a "one person" bird.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Easily bred under normal conditions. Actually the price is coming down on these birds probably because there are so many being bred nowadays. See the main page for breeding techniques.

Sexual differences:
   There is no visible means of sexing these birds.

Availability:
  This bird is readily available.




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Latest Comments
I couldnt live without my baby timneh! Its name is shikobah. Dont know the sex yet but I'm thinking it's a female, it doesnt really matter to me. He/she is only four months old and already talks! He/she can say "what doing", "mommy", "thank you", "what", and some other things, and imitates all sorts of voices. I leave the t.v. on in the bedroom. I believe her favorite thing to watch is the cartoon network channel. I think she has a wonderful personality, I'm amazed at how intelligent she already is. I've also found that I'm not depressed and lonely now that I have her/him around. I can really act like a three year old child around him/her, it's so funny. We have so much fun, couldn't ask for a better companion!
criss
2007-12-06
I found my Timneh, Sukar, at a pet store. The store was in a poor condition and there was some abusing of the birds, especially Sukar. He was pulled by his legs and bullied around by bigger birds such as Macaws and and an aggressive cockatoo. I couldn't get him and his brother the first time, because I was so upset. The owner of the shop was going to give them to me for cheap, but I did not intend on buying a bird then. In three days I couldn't help but going back and looking for the Timneh. The shop owner told me I can get it for 160$. Seems like the owner wanted to get rid of him by any means, so I took him. He is a wild caught Timneh, untamed, and very very angry. But I didn't care I just wanted to take him away. I bought him a huge cage, lots of toys and mineral perches. I was so excited to introduce him to my baby grey congo and they don't get along yet but still they mimic each other. I took Sukar to the vet the other day and I was told he was underweight, had a skin disease, and his feathers are discolored which made me sad. He was like that, but the vet told me he just need more care. So I did, now he eats fruits and doesn't open his beak that much. In time he will be friendly, trust me, and gain back his weight. He looks very interesting though. :)
Tami M.
2007-10-17
My husband has a timneh named Harley. We bought him from a hatchery and he was kept at a aviary pet store until he was weaned. We visited him 40 miles away 1-2days a week until he came home. He was intended for me after losing my alexandrine parakeet, but chose my husband instead. They kiss and play and talk to each other. He knew 'hello' until my husband taught him to make other sounds and now prefers them instead. He memics nextel beeps, clucks like a chicken, and coughes like my 10 month old daughter. He is 3 now and acts like our 3 year old daughter in every way and even fights over toys with her. He enjoys screaming like a little girl and destroying all of his toys! He is such a clown, but we love him!
Heather
2007-06-23
When my Amazon got ill and had to be put down in March '06, I was heart-broken. 5 wks later, the Vet called, said the owner of one his 'patients' had died and the 28yr old Congo Grey was in need of a good home. Was I interested? Well, DUH!! In the 3 weeks that I've had Simon, she & I have already bonded. She's a delight with all her clicks, whistles, laughs and words and I love her. (And we know she's a girl because while waiting for me to pick her up at the Vet's, she laid an egg! Therefore, her name's become Lady Cymon, Lady for short.)
Jan in So. Calif.
2006-05-17
My timneh, Buzz (after buzz lightyear...my boys named him) is just a love. He talks ALL the time, mostly in my voice. He "answers" the phone, calls the dog in from outside, summons my children and my husband. It's comical. Sometimes the boys answer him, thinking it's me calling them. He also dances to "Spongebob Squarepants" and is learning how to sing Bon Jovi's Who Says You Can't Go Home..What more could you ask for in a pet?
RosalieB
2006-05-03
Some of the coolest comments:
We have two beautiful Congos, which were the only African Greys I used to consider buying. Then after a few years, I purchased a little Timneh. What a delight she is. I would take a Timneh over a Congo anyday. Their personality is so much better. She is not as nervous and is much more lovable than either of our Congos. Her even temperament is wonderful. I do not have to worry about her snuggling and then biting me. My Timneh is very nice and laid back all the time. She just loves to go and do anything I do. She goes to school with me almost everyday and the children love her. She talks a lot when children come into my office. I do not let them hold her but they sure enjoy looking and talking to her. I am a school counselor. If I could only have one type of parrot it would be a Timneh #1 and then a Senegal #2. Their calm nature is wonderful. My timneh is the best parrot companion I have. Her name is Tikvah "Tiki" which in Hebrew means Hope.
Georgianna
2005-02-03
I have a 20 year old timneh named Damascus ( due to the damascus steel like pattern her feathers make) she loves to mimic my car alarm the microwave the phone, chopping noise from the kitchen , when I am clipping my nails she makes the same clic -clic -clic she will shake claw, do two type of flapping, dance, circle, get in her cage when told to all on command. This is a bird that needs love interaction and stimulus, you can not just put it in a cage and look at it you have to make it part of your flock. A vey loving and intelligent bird!
Chuck
2004-03-07

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