Breed profile

Loro Yaco (African Grey)

Considered the most intelligent parrot. A vocabulary of 1000+ words. An enormous commitment; it needs constant stimulation.

Origin: África Central Size: Grande Lifespan: 40-60 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Families with time for daily interaction
✓Spacious flats (large birds require a room)
✓Those who accept a decades-long commitment (parrots live a long time)

Reconsider if

×Households with no time to socialise
×Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise)
×Flats with no space for flight

Notify me when a Loro Yaco (African Grey) is up for adoption

We'll only email you when a verified rescue posts one available. No spam, unsubscribe in 1 click.

We'll only use your email for this alert. More info in our privacy policy.

Meanwhile, see all birds up for adoption →

Is the Loro Yaco (African Grey) a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

40-70 €/month

Feeding (pellets, fruit and vegetables): 20-35 € · Toys and enrichment: 8-15 € · Avian vet: 10-20 €

History and origin

An African grey parrot from Central Africa, considered one of the most intelligent animals; highly sensitive to hypocalcaemia and stress.

Temperament and character

Intelligence varies by species. Parrots form strong bonds with their humans. They need daily mental stimulation · NOT just a cage.

Living together

Children: depends on the species + individual character. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Older pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.

Life stages of the Loro Yaco (African Grey)

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 40-60 años.

Chick

0-5 months

Hand-rearing, prolonged weaning, calcium/vitamin D

Juvenile

5 months-5 years

Socialisation, cognitive stimulation, pelleted diet

Adult

5-30 years

Hypocalcaemia, feather picking, intensive enrichment

Senior

30-60 years

Atherosclerosis, arthritis, kidney/liver function

Care

Cage: at minimum twice the size of the bird with its wings outstretched. A dedicated room is better.

Feeding: SEEDS are NOT a complete diet. A combination of pellets + fresh fruit/vegetables daily.

Free flight: at least 1-2 hours/day outside the cage in a safe area.

Veterinarian: an avian (exotic) vet specialist. Annual check-up.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Seeds are NOT a complete diet. A base of quality pellets supplemented daily with fresh fruit and vegetables; pay particular attention to calcium intake.

✂️ Grooming

Bathing or showering with lukewarm water several times a week and checks of the beak and nails. It needs adequate light exposure for feather health and calcium.

🎓 Training

It is the most intelligent parrot, able to learn more than 1000 words: highly trainable with positive reinforcement. It needs daily interaction and mental stimulation or it develops feather picking and problem behaviours.

🏃 Exercise

At least 1-2 hours a day outside the cage in a safe area, with toys, foraging and mental work. The cage alone is never enough.

Breed-specific health

Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 40-60 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, consider that you will live with it throughout your adult life.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🦜Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)☠️Intoxicación / envenenamiento

Common diseases in birds

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

☠️Intoxicación / envenenamiento 🦴Fractura ósea 🩸Hemorragia (sangrado importante)🦜Psitacosis (clamidiosis aviar)🦜Megabacteriosis aviar 🔥Quemaduras

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Loro Yaco (African Grey)

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Annual blood test and biochemistry, with particular attention to calcium (the African grey is prone to hypocalcaemia)
✓Psittacosis screening (chlamydiosis, zoonotic)
✓Culture/serology for aspergillosis in the presence of respiratory signs
✓Viral screening (PBFD, polyomavirus) in birds of uncertain origin

Prevention

A varied diet based on pellets plus fresh fruit and vegetables (seeds alone cause deficiencies), adequate light exposure to fix calcium, a draught- and fume-free environment, and plenty of enrichment to prevent stress-related feather picking.

Check-up schedule

Annual review with an avian vet specialist, including blood work.

Warning signs

!Deteriorated or self-plucked plumage (feather picking from stress or deficiencies)
!Nasal or ocular discharge and sneezing
!Breathing difficulty, tail pumping or open-mouthed breathing
!Lethargy, fluffed-up feathers or weight loss

Loro Yaco (African Grey) gallery

Foto de la raza loro yaco — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Loro Yaco (African Grey)

How long does a Loro Yaco (African Grey) live?

▾

The life expectancy of the Loro Yaco (African Grey) is 40-60 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Loro Yaco (African Grey) weigh?

▾

An adult Loro Yaco (African Grey) weighs between 400-500g, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

Where does the Loro Yaco (African Grey) breed come from?

▾

The Loro Yaco (African Grey) originates from África Central. An African grey parrot from Central Africa, considered one of the most intelligent animals; highly sensitive to hypocalcaemia and stress.

How much exercise does a Loro Yaco (African Grey) need?

▾

The Loro Yaco (African Grey) has media energy. **Cage:** at minimum twice the size of the bird with its wings outstretched. A dedicated room is better.

Is the Loro Yaco (African Grey) good with children?

▾

**Children:** depends on the species + individual character. **Other birds:** better in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Older pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.

Who is the Loro Yaco (African Grey) NOT recommended for?

▾

It isn't the right breed for: Households with no time to socialise. Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise). Flats with no space for flight. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Loro Yaco (African Grey) have?

▾

How long does an African grey parrot live?

▾

Between 40 and 60 years. It is a lifelong commitment: you will very likely live with it throughout your adult life, and it is wise to plan who will care for it if you pass away.

Can it eat only seeds?

▾

No. A seed-only diet causes serious deficiencies (vitamin A, calcium). The base should be quality pellets plus fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

Is it noisy?

▾

Like all parrots, it vocalises and can be noisy, as well as talking a great deal. It is worth considering if you live in a flat with sensitive neighbours.

Why do they pluck their feathers?

▾

Feather picking is usually due to stress, boredom or nutritional deficiencies. It is a highly intelligent bird that needs daily interaction and enrichment; without these it develops this problem.