African Grey Parrots are exotic, intelligent and well spoken. And because of their wonderful traits they have become one of the most sought-after parrots.
Greys are intelligent as well as beautiful. Here are 5 answers to frequently asked questions about the Congo and Timneh African Grey Parrot.
What is the difference between the Congo (CAG) and the Timneh (TAG)? The Congo is slightly larger and can be easily identified because of its brilliant red tail, dark gray beak, and overall powder gray feathers.
The Timneh sports a sleeker body build, has a maroon tail, gray feathers that are a darker charcoal color, and has a two-tone beak with the upper mandible being bone in color and the bottom one gray. With proper care they have been known to live 50 years and longer.
Is there a difference is cost? The Congo seems to be more in demand among bird lovers because of their size and their powder gray color. There are more bird lovers who choose the Congo. Breeders meet this demand by raising more of this type because they bring more money in the market place.
African Greys can be quite expensive, but if you have your heart set on a Grey, the Timneh makes a great choice. They are just as intelligent but cost a lot less.
How does their care differ? There is no difference in the care needed. They both need a high quality pellet base diet supplemented with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, a continuous supply of fresh water, toys, a large cage with perches at various levels, a lot of attention, socialization, and training.
This will keep you Grey physically healthy, and emotionally happy which goes a long way toward preventing behavioral issues such as biting, screaming, feather plucking, and self mutilation.
Is there a significant difference in their personalities? There are some who believe that the Congo tends to be more excitable and prone to feather plucking than its smaller cousin. Others believe that any difference between the birds is due more to their individual personalities than a generalization about the subspecies.
What can be done about the dust they create? The dust they create is a natural phenomenon and is nature's way of helping their wings develop normally. In the wild this dust would dissipate rather than build up as it does in captivity.
This dust is not good for the birds because it clogs their air passages which can lead to respiratory infections. It also serves as a carrier for airborne bacteria and viruses that can cause disease and infection in your bird.
In addition, it is also not good for people, particularly those who suffer from allergy or asthma. Filtering your bird's air with a HEPA or high efficiency particle arresting air purifier is the only way to keep the air clean for you and your bird.
Author Resource:
Breathing the dust from your African Grey is bad for both you and the bird. Start filtering your air today with the Bird Dust Air Purifier at http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html
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