Psittacus

The genus Psittacus is home to one of the most intelligent and beloved parrots in the world — the African grey parrot, specifically Psittacus erithacus. While the genus originally had more members, it’s now largely centered around this one standout species. Native to the rainforests of central and western Africa, African greys are famous not just for their beautiful looks but for their exceptional intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.

The African grey has a sleek, mostly grey body with a pale face, black beak, and a bright red tail that gives it a splash of color. There are two main subspecies — the Congo African grey, which is slightly larger with a vivid red tail, and the Timneh African grey, which is smaller, darker, and has a maroon tail. These parrots are medium-sized but pack a big brain. They have been shown to understand concepts like shape, color, number, and even basic reasoning — a level of intelligence comparable to that of a young child.

One of the most famous African grey parrots was Alex, who was part of a decades-long study by animal psychologist Dr. Irene Pepperberg. Alex could identify objects, count up to six, and even express simple feelings. He changed the way scientists thought about bird intelligence and proved that parrots don’t just mimic — they can actually understand. Many pet owners also report that their African greys not only copy voices and sounds, but seem to use words in the right context, like asking for food, calling people by name, or even imitating household noises like phones ringing or microwaves beeping.