Timneh African Grey

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingRegular feather care

  Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment40–55 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Respiratory issues · Kidney disease

The Timneh African Grey (Psittacus timneh) was reclassified as a full species separate from the Congo African Grey in 2012. It comes from a small range in western Africa, from Guinea-Bissau to Ivory Coast, and is endangered in the wild. It is smaller than the Congo at 270 to 370 grams, darker charcoal grey, and identified at a glance by two features: a maroon rather than scarlet tail, and a pale horn-coloured patch on the upper beak. Cognitively it is the equal of the Congo, with the same extraordinary problem-solving and speech ability, and Timnehs typically begin talking earlier, often before their first birthday. What sets them apart in a home is temperament: they are generally described as less nervous, less prone to startling and phobic behaviour, and quicker to accept new people and objects, which makes them the easier of the two for a first-time grey owner. The care requirements are identical to the Congo and they are substantial. Greys need constant mental work through foraging, training and rotating toys, or they develop the feather plucking the species is famous for. They are prone to low blood calcium, so a calcium-rich and vitamin-A-rich diet of formulated pellets and vegetables is essential and an all-seed diet is dangerous, along with access to natural light or safe UV for vitamin D. They are dusty birds with sensitive lungs: non-stick fumes, aerosols and smoke are lethal, ventilation matters, and aspergillosis is a real risk. With forty to fifty-five years of life ahead, plan for the bird's future as well as your own.

• How much activity does a Timneh African Grey need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Timneh African Grey need?

  Regular feather care. Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• What cage does a Timneh African Grey need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Timneh African Grey a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Timneh African Grey live?

  40–55 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Timneh African Grey?

  Keep an eye out for Feather plucking, Respiratory issues, Kidney disease. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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