Information on Timneh and Congo African Grey Parrots

Last Updated on November 1, 2024 by Mitch Rezman

We consider African Grey Parrots medium large parrot species from central & west Africa.

In the wild they live on palm nuts, seeds, fruits, and leafy matter, and have even been observed eating snails.

They can be good talkers, we recommend not putting your bird in the same room with a telephone or you may be answering your bird for years.

Greys come in two flavors, Congo African Greys and Timneh African Greys. Congo’s have light grey feathers, cherry red tails, and an all-black beak.

Timnehs have a darker charcoal grey coloring, a darker maroonish tail, and a light, horn-colored area to part of the upper beak. They also may be referred to as CAGs & TAGs.

In the wild they like the hollows of old trees in their natural habit. In the United States, importation of wild-caught Grey parrots is prohibited under the U.S. Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992.

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In the European Union, an EU Directive of 2007 prevents the importation of this and any other “wild-caught” bird for the pet trade.

Because they’re so smart they can make great pets. But remember, because they’re so darn intelligent, they really need to be engaged on a daily basis. You’ll need a good-sized birdcage and lots of interactive bird toys.

Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s extensive research with captive African greys, famously with a bird named Alex, (recently deceased) had documented the ability to converse with humans and could cognize sizes, shapes, and colors.

Their sociability and intelligence make African Grey Parrots outstanding pets with a strongly devoted following among parrot owners.

These same qualities mean that African Greys require special commitment by their owners to provide frequent one-on-one interaction, and supervised time out of their cage.

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They also require large cages, a varied diet that includes fresh foods, and plenty of safe and destroyable toys.

African Greys can live 50 years or more, so a great deal of thought should be put forth before deciding to become a companion.

Acquiring an African Grey (or any parrot) is likely a lifelong commitment, and should not be done on a whim.

Your Zygodactyl Footnotes

I asked 3 AI “LLMs” (Large Language Models) the following “What is the difference between a Timneh and Congo African grey parrot?”

From ChatGPT (Microsoft)

The **Timneh** and **Congo African Grey parrots** are two distinct subspecies of the African Grey parrot, and while they share many similarities, they also have several key differences:

1. **Size**:
– The **Congo African Grey** is larger, typically around 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm) in length.
– The **Timneh African Grey** is smaller, averaging around 9 to 11 inches (23 to 28 cm).

2. **Color**:
– The **Congo African Grey** has a light gray body with a bright red tail and a solid black beak.
– The **Timneh African Grey** has a darker, charcoal gray body, a maroon or dark red tail, and a lighter, horn-colored (almost pinkish) upper beak.

3. **Personality and Behavior**:
– Both are intelligent and excellent talkers, but the **Timneh** is often considered more independent and might bond quicker with humans. Timnehs are sometimes seen as less prone to developing behavioral issues like feather plucking.
– **Congo African Greys** are slightly more sensitive and can be more cautious or reserved, taking longer to adjust to new environments or people.

4. **Geographical Origin**:
– **Congo African Greys** are found in the rainforests of central Africa, including the Congo Basin.
– **Timneh African Greys** originate from western Africa, particularly countries like Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.

5. **Availability and Popularity**:
– Historically, **Congo African Greys** have been more popular and commonly seen as pets, though **Timnehs** are becoming more well-known due to their calmer nature.

Both species have similar care needs, but these differences can help potential owners decide which might be a better fit for their lifestyle.

From Gemini (Google)

Timneh vs. Congo African Grey Parrots: Key Differences

While both Timneh and Congo African grey parrots are intelligent and social birds, there are some notable differences between them:

Physical Appearance

Size: Congo African greys are slightly larger than Timneh African greys.
Coloration: Timnehs have a darker grey overall coloration, especially on their backs. Their tail feathers are also a darker maroon, while Congo greys have bright red tail feathers.
Beak: The Timneh’s upper mandible is a light, horn-colored area with a dark edge, while the lower mandible is grey. Congo greys have a solid black beak.

Personality and Behavior

Temperament: Timnehs are often described as being more laid-back and less prone to stress or feather-plucking compared to Congo greys.
Vocalization: Timnehs tend to learn to speak earlier than Congo greys and are generally considered to be quieter.
Socialization: Both subspecies are highly social, but Timnehs may be more tolerant of strangers and new situations.

Care Requirements

Diet: Both subspecies have similar dietary needs, primarily consisting of a high-quality parrot mix, fresh fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Housing: The size of the cage or aviary should be appropriate for the bird’s size. Both species require plenty of space for exercise and enrichment.

In summary, while both Timneh and Congo African grey parrots are wonderful companions, their differences in appearance, temperament, and behavior may make one more suitable for certain individuals or lifestyles than the other. It’s essential to research both subspecies to determine which one is the best fit for you.

From Claude (Anthropic)

The main differences between Timneh and Congo African grey parrots are:

1. Size: Timneh African greys are generally smaller, about 22-28 cm in length, while Congo African greys are larger, typically 30-35 cm long.

2. Coloration:
– Timneh: Darker gray body with a maroon tail
– Congo: Lighter gray body with a bright red tail

3. Beak color:
– Timneh: Upper mandible has a light horn color
– Congo: All-black beak

4. Origin:
– Timneh: Native to western parts of Africa (Ivory Coast, Liberia, Sierra Leone)
– Congo: Found in central and eastern Africa

5. Temperament: While individual personalities vary, Timnehs are often described as being slightly calmer and adapting more quickly to new situations compared to Congo’s.

6. Talking ability: Both are excellent talkers, but Congo’s are generally considered to have a slightly larger vocabulary potential.

7. Maturity rate: Timnehs tend to mature slightly faster than Congo’s.

These differences, while notable, are relatively minor. Both subspecies make intelligent, engaging pets and are highly prized for their talking abilities and companionship. Would you like more information on any specific aspect of these parrots?