Housing a African grey parrot: a 100 × 80 × 120 cm cage, fully fitted
African grey parrot : A cage at least one metre wide in sturdy steel, budget 400 to 800 euros, plus an out-of-cage play area. The species is listed on CITES Appendix I: identification, origin paperwork and registration formalities are mandatory, so research the requirements carefully before buying.
In our shop, for this use: Flexible pastel cotton rope perch, 35 cm, for budgies and cockatiels (€32.90) · the whole shop
We don’t ship products to your country yet; our practical guide downloads anywhere: Budgies, Cockatiels and Canaries: The Starter Guide (€13)
In short: Around 33 cm, lifespan of 40 to 60 years and sometimes beyond 50, moderate noise level but strikingly realistic imitated sounds. Exceptional intelligence and extreme sensitivity: it bonds to one person and copes poorly with change. Boredom-driven feather plucking is THE grey’s risk: hours of occupation and destructible toys are non-negotiable over a 50-year life together.
100 × 80 × 120 cm: the serious minimum
For a African grey parrot, the cage measures at least 100 × 80 × 120 cm, wider than tall: birds fly horizontally, not in lifts. Bars horizontal for climbing, spaced 2 to 2.5 cm — any wider and the head slips through and jams.
Perches and layout
Fitting out a African grey parrot cage starts with the perches: raw natural wood, mixed diameters between 2.5 and 4 cm, mounted at both ends to keep the flight axis clear and never directly above the bowls. No-waste feeders, newspaper cage lining changed every two days, and a bathing corner. Smooth plastic perches and abrasive “nail-care” sleeves damage feet: ban them.
Placement changes everything
Against a wall (safety at its back), at eye height, in the living room but out of the kitchen — fumes from overheated non-stick coatings are lethal to birds. Natural light without direct sun, 10 to 12 hours of calm darkness at night.
Frequently asked questions
What cage size for a African grey parrot?
100 × 80 × 120 cm minimum, wider than tall, bars spaced 2 to 2.5 cm — plus daily free flight, the cage being only base camp.
Where should a African grey parrot’s cage go?
Against a living-room wall at eye height, away from the kitchen (toxic fumes), direct sun and draughts, with 10 to 12 hours of quiet darkness.
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