African Grey
A long-lived parrot whose calcium balance, air sacs, and boredom are clinical issues, not quirks. The weight, exercise, and yearly cost figures below are ranges for a typical healthy adult. A licensed veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm the plan.
Researched & Compiled by the PetAuthority Editorial Team
Clinical Data Sources: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center & Merck Veterinary Manual
These pages describe clinical possibilities and a Green, Yellow, or Red triage path. They do not diagnose an individual animal or replace an examination by a licensed veterinarian. Read the editorial standards.
Quick facts
| Weight | 0.9–1.4 lb (0.4–0.65 kg) |
|---|---|
| Lifespan | 40–60 years |
| Grooming | 2 of 5 |
| Energy | 3 of 5 |
| Apartment | Suitable for many apartments |
What standard guides this profile?
There is no kennel-club standard that predicts this bird's health. Care on this page follows clinical avian practice used in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. A quiet change in droppings, appetite, or breathing still needs an avian veterinarian rather than a show-standard comparison.
Daily calorie and portion estimation
A typical adult African Grey starts near 90 kcal/day, with about 120 minutes of steady daily activity. Enter the current weight in pounds (kilograms) in the calculator, because a lean animal and an overweight animal do not share the same portion.
A pellet, vegetable, and controlled-nut diet supports calcium better than a seed mix. Foraging time is part of feeding, not an extra; measure meals in ounces (grams), and keep treats near ten percent of the daily calorie target. Ask a veterinarian before you add supplements or switch to a homemade recipe.
Calculate African Grey's Custom Food Portions →Common health predispositions
Hypocalcemia
UrgentWatch for: Seizures, falling off the perch, or weaknessCheck this sign in symptom triageAspergillosis
UrgentWatch for: A voice change, tail bob, or exercise intoleranceCheck this sign in symptom triageAtherosclerosis
UrgentWatch for: Sudden weakness, falling, or exercise collapse in a middle-aged birdCheck this sign in symptom triageFeather-destructive behavior
CommonWatch for: Chewed chest or flank feathers with normal wing moltCheck this sign in symptom triage
What should African Grey owners ask first?
Owners most often ask about housing, grooming, and which signs cannot wait. The answers below are educational ranges for a typical African Grey, including weight in pounds (kilograms) and yearly costs in dollars and pounds. They do not diagnose the animal you live with.
How long is the commitment?
African Greys often live 40–60 years. Plan for a bird that may outlive the first owner, and for an avian veterinarian, not only a pet-shop checkup. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.
Are they a family bird for small children?
They bond intensely and can bite when startled or jealous. They fit a quiet, consistent adult household better than a busy home with toddlers. These points are educational ranges, and a veterinarian who has examined your animal still has to confirm them.