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

African Grey Timneh

Family: Psittacidae

• Puzzles
• Postcards

"Scooter" Psittacus timneh 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"!

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.

Add your comment here!
Click to see All the comments!
Latest Comments
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
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
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

Back to African Grey Parrots