The African Gray Parrot (Psittacus erithacus Linnaeus, 1758) is a medium-sized parrot of the Psittacidae family, native to the African continent. It is the only species of the genus Psittacus.
The gray parrot owes its name to the typical ash gray color of its plumage, with white tips and a tail that can be red or brown depending on the subspecies. The ashes, like all parrots, are zygodactyls, having 4 fingers per paw (two front and two hind). Their diet is mainly composed of seeds and fruits, supplemented by leafy vegetables, but also of some insects, especially during the period of reproduction.
The gray parrots captured in the wild need time and care to adapt to the human presence, and tend to growl. The Cenerini grown in captivity generally are exceptional pets and tend to become morbidly attached to the owner. The bosses often talk about the relationship they have with their ashes “having a five-year-old child”. They are generally considered the best imitators of all parrots.
Anyone who wants to take a Cenerino as a pet should take into consideration that they tend to get bored easily unless they have stimulating toys and constant interaction with their owners. The life expectancy of an ash is from 40 to 60 years and even more, if kept in optimal conditions.
