African Grey Parrot
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: TH
Subject: Species in News
Context: RTI responses from 19 States/UTs revealed that no Forest Department has records of registered breeders or authorised pet shops dealing in African grey parrots despite their easy availability in Indian markets.
About African Grey Parrot:
• What it is? The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-sized, highly intelligent parrot considered the best mimic among all bird species, often called the “Einstein of the bird world.”
• The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-sized, highly intelligent parrot considered the best mimic among all bird species, often called the “Einstein of the bird world.”
• Habitat & Natural Range: Native to West and Central Africa, it inhabits savannas, mangroves, woodland edges, and forest clearings, with two subspecies—Congo African Grey (CAG) and Timneh African Grey (TAG).
• IUCN Status: Classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss and heavy capture for international pet trade.
• Key Characteristics: Exceptional talking and comprehension ability; large vocabulary and contextual speech. Distinctive grey plumage, intelligent orange eyes, and a bright red (CAG) or maroon tail (TAG). Highly sensitive, social, and prone to stress-related behaviours (feather plucking, anxiety). Require enriched environments, cognitive toys, high-nutrition diets (beta-carotene, vitamin D).
• Exceptional talking and comprehension ability; large vocabulary and contextual speech.
• Distinctive grey plumage, intelligent orange eyes, and a bright red (CAG) or maroon tail (TAG).
• Highly sensitive, social, and prone to stress-related behaviours (feather plucking, anxiety).
• Require enriched environments, cognitive toys, high-nutrition diets (beta-carotene, vitamin D).
• Significance: Among the world’s most trafficked parrots due to high demand in the exotic pet trade. Ecologically important seed dispersers in African ecosystems. Serves as a flagship species for global wildlife protection under CITES (Appendix I).
• Among the world’s most trafficked parrots due to high demand in the exotic pet trade.
• Ecologically important seed dispersers in African ecosystems.
• Serves as a flagship species for global wildlife protection under CITES (Appendix I).
Status of African Grey Parrot in India:
• Although protected by CITES Appendix I (requiring strict import permits), India’s domestic market freely sells the species, indicating widespread illegal and unreported trade.
• RTI findings show no State has a proper registry, breeder list, or authorised pet shops—indicating a complete data vacuum.
• Despite Tamil Nadu claiming zero authorised breeders, it is a major hub for exotic bird trade, along with Kerala and Karnataka.