I'm trying to identify my parrot, small and gray in color

[sweetiepie]

My grandma has been taking care of Sweetiepie for about 6 years, ever since my great grandma died. I don't know if it's a boy or a girl, but it's always been referred to as he. She can no longer take care of him and since I am the only person that he doesn't attack I am going to be taking him in a few days. The thing is, she keeps telling me that he is an Amazon Parrot, but I have been looking it up online and I'm doubtful. He's gray, and probably about 8-10 inches long. He will mimic sounds, like whistling or a click noise I make. I haven't heard him copy any words, but that could be because he does not get enough attention, I am not sure. I can't find any information about gray parrots except for the African Grey Parrot, and that seems too big. The thing is, if I'm going to take this parrot I'm going to make sure I do things right, and I can't do that without knowing what type of bird he is. I don't have any good bird vets close to where I live, but I plan to make a trip once I get him, maybe they will be able to help me out. Any help is appreciated though!

[Wrong Bird Lady]

Can you give anymore details about how it looks? Or a picture would be best!

Have you done a google search for cockatiel? It might be way off the mark but they are a small/medium sized bird that is technically a parrot (part of the cockatoo family) and the natural colour is grey. They whistle naturally and can be taught to whistle specific tunes, males (more than females) can learn to talk although not always clearly and they can learn tricks.





[EDIT] I added the pictures for you. They come in A LOT of different colours but the natural is grey with the rosey cheeks, although as you can clearly see some have more grey on their faces than others (normally females but not always).

[Wrong Bird Lady]

I'm struggling to think of anything else that kind of size (I'm also fairly new to parrots but been looking at A LOT of photos heehee)

You have the 'African Grey' but they are quite a bit bigger...



The problem is if I type 'small grey parrot' into google it just brings up pages and pages of african greys!

Are there any other colours? Nearly all the grey parrots I have seen also have some other colour or markings. That would really help



(All images taken from google)

[sweetiepie]

Okay, so I forgot he had yellow! I took some pictures and you can see the yellow below. If you look at the cage and the mess you can tell why I need to take him, she simply can't care for him anymore. She has cancer and the chemo has her so bad that she can't even change the bottom of the cage out. Anyways, I'm gonna look some more now that I have more information and pictures.

[sweetiepie]

Could he maybe be a senegal? Perhaps he is quite unhealthy?

[Michael]

Plucked Meyer's Parrot Poicephalus meyeri

[GlassOnion]

Yes, a meyer's! My goodness that setup needs to be be changed COMPLETELY!! Poor bird must be bored out of his mind!

[sweetiepie]

I think you guys are right! I'm so excited I finally know what kind he is. Now I can get all of the stuff he needs and get it all set up. Thank you!

[sweetiepie]

Also, if anyone has any suggestions as to toys or cage size, I would appreciate that as well. I plan on buying everything tomorrow and bringing him home. Would a fountain be too much haha? I know he likes playing in water. I imagine when he sees his new cage he will be amazed!

[Michael]

5/8" bar spacing ideal, 3/4" maximum. Absolute minimum cage 18x18x30 but honest recommendation is 25x25x40. Bigger is usually better but watch the bar spacing doesn't exceed 3/4".

Poicephlaus aren't the strongest chewers so they like softer wood toys. Stuff with balsa, thin wood, and meshy woven stuff are good. Very important to have a good variety of perches. 3 absolute minimum, recommend 5 in cage at a time. 2-3 natural wood perches, 1 granite/sandy perch, 1 rope perch/swing.