African Grey
African Grey parrots have "powder down" that generates a fair amount of dust in your home. Therefore, African Greys are not a good choice for people who have sensitive lungs. If they bite, they seldom give a gentle warning nip first. When African Grey parrots are afraid they emit a metallic growling sound.
There are two species of African Grey parrots:
Congo African Greys & Timneh African Greys
Congo African Greys
Are one of the best known of all the parrot species. The Congo African Grey, Psittacus erithacus erithacus, is predominately gray with a bright red tail and white patches of skin around the eyes and face. They have interesting scalloping on their breast feathers that resembles chain mail. They originate from central and west Africa from the coast to western Kenya and Tanzania.
Perceived by many to be one of the most intelligent of all parrot species, Congo African Grey parrots can be the best talkers, both in terms of vocabulary as well as clarity of speech. They often respond appropriately within the context of a conversation and also love to whistle and imitate peculiar sounds from their environment.
Timneh African Grey
Are smaller and not as well known as their larger cousins the Congo African Greys. They are predominately dark gray, with dark maroon tails and a white patch of skin around their eyes. Timneh African Greys have black upper beaks with pink areas on each side. Their lower beaks are black. They originate from Africa in southern Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and the Ivory Coast.
Timneh African Grey parrots are outgoing and playful. Like the Congos, they, can also develop large vocabularies. Also, like the Congos, they are intelligent and need a lot of stimulation to keep them occupied. Timneh African Grey parrots tend to more outgoing and unafraid of new things than the Congos. Timnehs have a lot of energy and love to explore new things. They also can be a little bit dominant and bossy.