Breed profile

Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey)

The smaller variety of the African Grey. Same level of intelligence. Maroon tail instead of red.

Origin: África Occidental Size: Grande Lifespan: 50 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Families with time for daily interaction
✓Spacious homes (large birds require a dedicated room)
✓Those willing to make a decades-long commitment (parrots live a long time)

Reconsider if

×Homes with no time to socialise the bird
×Those who cannot tolerate noise (all parrots vocalise)
×Homes with no space for flight

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Is the Loro Timneh (Timneh 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

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Grooming needs

Vocalisation / noise

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

40-80 €/month

Quality pellets, fresh vegetables and fruit (20-35 €), foraging and chew toys -high consumption- (12-25 €) and prorated preventive care (8-20 €). Separately: an annual check-up with an avian vet (50-90 €) and a high initial outlay on a spacious cage (200-500 €).

History and origin

Timneh grey parrot from West Africa, smaller and darker than the Congo African Grey; recognised as a separate species in 2012.

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:** best kept in a pair/group (except territorial species). **Older pets:** avoid — a real risk of predation.

Life stages of the Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey)

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 50 años.

Chick

0-5 months

Hand-rearing, weaning, calcium intake

Juvenile

5 months-5 years

Socialisation, cognitive enrichment, pelleted diet

Adult

5-30 years

Hypocalcaemia, feather plucking, exercise

Senior

30-50 years

Atherosclerosis, arthritis, renal/hepatic check-ups

Care

Cage: at least twice the size of the bird with its wings extended. A dedicated room is even better.

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

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

Vet: an avian specialist vet (exotics vet). Annual blood work.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

A base of pellets formulated for grey parrots plus vegetables and a little fruit; controlled calcium and vitamin D3 intake given their tendency towards hypocalcaemia. Seeds only as an occasional treat.

✂️ Grooming

Frequent baths or misting for feather health. Access to UVB light or supplementation. Do not clip the wings without veterinary guidance.

🎓 Training

Exceptional intelligence, comparable to that of the Congo African Grey: it learns many words, concepts and tricks. It needs daily cognitive work and positive reinforcement, never punishment.

🏃 Exercise

At least 2-3 hours a day out of the cage in a safe area, with foraging, destructible toys and puzzles to keep its mind occupied.

Breed-specific health

Aspergillosis (fungal), psittacosis (chlamydiosis), feather problems from stress/deficiencies. Life expectancy 50 years with proper care. Before adopting a large parrot, bear in mind you will share your entire adult life with it.

🩺 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 Timneh (Timneh African Grey)

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Psittacosis/chlamydiosis screening (PCR)
✓PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease) and polyomavirus testing
✓Blood calcium/blood panel (grey parrot hypocalcaemia syndrome)
✓Aspergillosis culture or screening if respiratory signs appear

Prevention

A diet based on quality pellets with vegetables, sunlight/UVB or a vitamin D3 and calcium supplement to prevent the hypocalcaemia typical of greys, plenty of enrichment to avoid feather plucking, and check-ups with an avian vet. Avoid seed-only diets.

Check-up schedule

A check-up with an avian vet at acquisition and an annual check-up with blood work; regular weighing at home.

Warning signs

!Tremors, weakness or seizures (hypocalcaemia)
!Pulling out feathers or feather plucking
!Breathing with a pumping tail, respiratory noises (aspergillosis)
!Dystrophic feathers or beak abnormalities (PBFD)

Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey) gallery

Foto de la raza timneh — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey)

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

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The life expectancy of the Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey) is 50 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 Timneh (Timneh African Grey) weigh?

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An adult Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey) weighs between 275-375g, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

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

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The Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey) originates from África Occidental. Timneh grey parrot from West Africa, smaller and darker than the Congo African Grey; recognised as a separate species in 2012.

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

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The Loro Timneh (Timneh African Grey) has media energy. **Cage:** at least twice the size of the bird with its wings extended. A dedicated room is even better.

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

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

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

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

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

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Is it very different from the Congo African Grey (red-tailed grey)?

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It is somewhat smaller and has a maroon tail instead of a red one, but its intelligence and speaking ability are comparable; it is usually just as capable and sometimes a little calmer.

How long does it live?

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It can reach 50 years. Adopting a Timneh is a commitment for the whole of your adult life, even planning who will care for it afterwards.

Why do greys pluck out their feathers?

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Feather plucking is usually caused by boredom, stress, loneliness or health/diet problems. Enrichment, a stable routine and a veterinary check-up are key.