African Grey vs Amazon
African Grey or Amazon? A side-by-side comparison of size, lifespan, temperament, care needs and observed prices, from our Animal Library.
At a glance
| African Grey | Amazon | |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | West and Central Africa | Mexico to South America, Caribbean |
| Adult size | About 13 in, 400–650 g | 10–18 in by species |
| Lifespan | 40–60 years | 40–60+ years |
| Housing | Large cage plus daily time out | Large cage, daily out-of-cage time |
| Diet | Pellets, vegetables, some seed | Pellets, vegetables, limited seed |
| Best fit | Experienced, home-based keepers | Confident keepers, tolerant neighbors |
| Noise | ●●●●● Whistles, talks, mimics | ●●●●● Loud, especially morning |
| Social needs | ●●●●● Needs hours of interaction | ●●●●● Wants daily interaction |
| Mess | ●●●●● Dust and scattered food | ●●●●● Throws food, moderate dust |
| Beginner fit | ●●●●● Sensitive, needs routine | ●●●●● Bold; hormones can bite |
| Observed price | $4,000 median (125 prices) | $2,000 median (100 prices) |
How they differ
- Noise: the Amazon rates higher than the African Grey (5 of 5 vs 3).
- Social needs: the African Grey rates higher than the Amazon (5 of 5 vs 4).
- Mess: about the same (3 of 5 each).
- Beginner fit: about the same (2 of 5 each).
The African Grey
A medium grey parrot from the forests of West and Central Africa, famous for speech and problem-solving. That intelligence is the whole job: a grey needs daily training, enrichment, and a steady routine, or it turns anxious and may pluck.
A grey can outlive its owner, so plan for who takes it. It is dusty (powder down), prone to feather plucking when bored or stressed, and needs calcium and vitamin D attention. The reward is one of the most capable companion animals there is.
The Amazon
Amazons are stocky green parrots from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, known for big voices and bold personalities. They are affectionate and playful, but loud at dawn and dusk, and many go through a hormonal, nippy phase each breeding season.
An Amazon is a lifetime bird with a loud call, and a seed-heavy diet quickly leads to obesity and fatty liver. Hormonal seasons can bring lunging and biting in otherwise sweet birds, especially males.
Questions
Is an African Grey or an Amazon better for a beginner?
Neither has the edge: both rate 2 of 5 for beginners in our Animal Library. African Grey: Sensitive, needs routine. Amazon: Bold; hormones can bite.
What is the main difference between an African Grey and an Amazon?
A grey can outlive its owner, so plan for who takes it. It is dusty (powder down), prone to feather plucking when bored or stressed, and needs calcium and vitamin D attention. The reward is one of the most capable companion animals there is. By contrast, an Amazon is a lifetime bird with a loud call, and a seed-heavy diet quickly leads to obesity and fatty liver. Hormonal seasons can bring lunging and biting in otherwise sweet birds, especially males.
Which costs more, an African Grey or an Amazon?
On the prices we observed, the African Grey median is $4,000 (125 prices) and the Amazon median is $2,000 (100 prices).