African Grey Parrot

Native to the rainforests of West and Central Africa, the African grey parrot is widely considered one of the most intelligent bird species in the world — studies have found individual greys capable of tasks on par with a four- to six-year-old child, including basic counting and object categorization. They’re covered in soft gray feathers set off by a bright red tail, a distinctive and unmistakable field mark.

African greys are equally renowned for their talking ability: wild flocks have been recorded using more than 200 distinct calls, including convincing imitations of other bird species. That same intelligence and vocal talent has made them one of the most heavily trafficked parrots in the pet trade — wild populations have crashed by as much as 90-99% in parts of their range since the early 1990s, and they’re now protected under the strictest level of international trade regulation.

See our African grey parrot at Plumpton Park Zoo — plan your visit.