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

African Grey Timneh

Family: Psittacidae

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"Scooter"Psittacus timnehPhoto courtesy: Karen

    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
Hi I purchased an African Grey Timneh he is still at the pet store he is not yet weaned. My daughter named him Bobo after my favorite uncle. I have wanted an African Grey for over 20 years, I walked in the pet store not looking for a bird at all and bumped right into Bobo, I believe we have a connection, I visit him practically every day to bond with him. I am becoming comfortable with him now, the owner is very passionate with birds and has taken a lot of time out to teach me how to handle and deal with Bobo, I am so excited I can't wait until he can come home Phyllis 2009-10-17
My little baby timneh, Zayaan, is only 8 weeks young. He is the second bird I have gotten...(I had an iglictus malaaika but unfortunately by the will of god she died at 7 months old). Zayaan is a warm, cuddly, friendly and peaceful little bird. I hope one day he grows to be a strong and independant handsome bird. hamidah 2009-10-08
Hello everyone! I am from lebanon, and over here all the timnehs are wild caught, discolored, underweight, and treated badly. The pet shops in lebanon are in terrible condition for animals. I recently got a timneh from one of those pet shops, it only cost me 60$(yes that is how cheap it is).His/Her name is Zizo. She/He is really frightened and doesn't like anyone to get close to him/her (not sure if female or male). It is really sad when I see these animals treated this way, especially animals that have a lot of potential to turn into wonderfull friends and family members. For everyone whose reading I hope you contact me via email at glass_ali@hotmail.com because I would love to personally be in touch with someone who owns a timneh that was hand fed and kind of figure out the right way to tame my wild caught. I am hopefull that one day Zizo will turn out just fine. ali 2009-09-18
I have two congos, Demeter and Persephone, named after the two greek goddeses, though Demeter is a male. They are both 17 years old and I have had them since I was 15 and they were 10 weeks old and weaned. They can say a variety of things and often like to swear at each other in english and japanese (I taught them both) they sing and whistle. They are very fond of the phantom of the opera and have caught them singing along on several occasions. They both cuddle and I'm obtaining a breeding license right now so I can legally breed them in my area. They also seem pretty fond of sweeney, todd, and the wizard of oz. I have them in a huge cage meanI as an outdoor aviary in my living room. They love to snuggle with me though persephone seems too attached to my boyfriend. They aren't particularly noisy however, and they use a litter box and seem to enjoy pre shelled sunflower seeds and take mist bathes three times a week. I love them and i am sure they will outlive me. Tony Drignolio 2009-02-22
Mayah is our 8-year-old Timneh African Grey parrot. Not only is she beautiful, she's one of the smartest, most affectionate Greys I've ever encountered. Everyone who meets her says, "I feel like that bird can read my mind!" I always tell them the same thing; "Oh, she can!" She loves to kiss, and sometimes gets so enthusiastic about it that friends have thought she was trying to bite them! She used to live at my mom's home with a large Macaw who had actually bitten off one of her toenails one day when she picked the lock off of her cage and had been a stressed-out bird until she moved in with my husband and me. Ever since then she's stopped plucking her legs and chest and has become a completely relaxed and happy girl. Her bald spots have filled in with pink feathers in some spots, which makes a lovely mix of colors with her grey and red (yes, Timnehs have burgundy-red tails!) feathers. We're so fortunate to have such a sweet pair of birds in our home! Connie and Mayah's Mom 2008-07-29
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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