The grey parrot is the largest parrot in Africa and one of the most popular pet birds in Europe and America. It is best known for its ability to mimic sounds and voices, particularly human speech. Even wild grey parrots imitate voices – though those of other animals.
The background noise becomes particularly loud when danger threatens or when the grey parrots settle in a tree for the night. They then often let out loud screeches and whistles. If an enemy is spotted, all the parrots fly up from the tree, screeching, and make a deafening racket.
Taxonomy
Psittacidae, genus Psittacus (2 species)
Habitat
forests in western Central Africa
Migratory behaviour
loyal to the location
Social structure
foraging in flocks of around 30 birds; roosting sites with up to 10,000 birds; breeding in pairs
