Care guide
Amazon, African Grey and Eclectus Parrot Care Guide
Medium and large parrots—Amazons, the African grey, eclectus, pionus and the Poicephalus parrots—are the most intelligent and talkative companion birds. That intelligence is also what makes them so demanding: a bored parrot develops behavior problems that are hard to reverse.
At a glance
- Size
- 20–45 cm
- Lifespan
- 25–60 years depending on species
- Noise level
- Moderate to high
- Experience
- Intermediate to advanced
- Space
- Roomy cage plus daily out-of-cage time
Approximate values: they vary by species and individual bird.
Diet
Pellets as the base, a variety of vegetables every day (bell pepper, carrot, broccoli, leafy greens) and smaller amounts of fruit. Seed mixes heavy in sunflower seeds cause weight gain and vitamin A deficiency, a very common problem in Amazons.
The African grey needs special attention to calcium and vitamin D: it is prone to hypocalcemia, which causes tremors and seizures. A UVB bird lamp and a balanced diet help prevent it.
- Avoid avocado, chocolate, coffee, alcohol, salt, onion and garlic.
- Amazons put on weight easily: limit seeds and nuts.
- Hide some of the food in toys so your parrot has to forage for it.
Housing
For an Amazon or African grey, the minimum cage size is around 60 × 60 × 90 cm, though bigger is always better. The bird must be able to spread its wings fully and climb. Place the cage in a busy family area, against a wall and away from drafts and the kitchen.
Parrots need 10 to 12 hours of darkness and quiet to sleep. Lack of sleep is linked to irritability and feather plucking.
Health
Warning signs: fluffed-up feathers, half-closed eyes, tail bobbing while breathing, abnormal droppings, sneezing or loss of appetite. An avian vet should check your parrot once a year.
Common problems: aspergillosis (a respiratory fungal infection) in damp, dirty environments, obesity and fatty tumors (lipomas) in Amazons, feather plucking in stressed African greys, and psittacosis, which can spread to people.
Behavior and enrichment
The African grey is famous for mimicking voices with remarkable accuracy, but it is also sensitive and shy: sudden changes stress it. Amazons are outgoing and loud, and males can turn aggressive during breeding season.
All of them need new toys every week, foraging puzzles and daily training with treats. Stroking a parrot on the back or under the wings triggers hormonal behavior and is best avoided.
Breeding
They breed in nest boxes with a stable pair. Most lay 2 to 4 eggs. In the eclectus, the male (green) and the female (red and blue) look so different that for a long time they were thought to be separate species. Breeding requires permits and experience.
Legal status and responsible buying
The African grey parrot has been listed in CITES Appendix I since 2016 because of the trade in wild-caught birds, and several Amazons are listed there as well. Always ask for CITES paperwork and a captive-bred certificate, and never buy a parrot without a leg band and papers.
This guide is for information only and does not replace advice from an avian vet. Before getting a bird, check the law in your country and ask for CITES paperwork. This site does not sell or broker live animals.
Frequently asked questions
- How long do African grey parrots live?
- A well-cared-for African grey parrot lives 40 to 60 years. Amazon parrots also live 40 to 60 years, while pionus and Poicephalus parrots live 25 to 40 years.
- Which parrot is the best talker?
- The African grey parrot mimics the human voice more accurately than any other parrot, followed by some Amazons such as the yellow-naped Amazon. Every parrot is an individual, and not all of them learn to talk.
- Why is my parrot plucking its feathers?
- Feather plucking in parrots can be caused by illness, poor diet, boredom, lack of sleep or stress. Medical causes should be ruled out first by an avian vet, and then the parrot's environment should be reviewed.
- What do Amazon parrots eat?
- An Amazon parrot should eat pellets as the base of its diet, fresh vegetables every day and smaller amounts of fruit. Seeds and nuts should be limited because Amazon parrots gain weight easily.
