Congo vs Timneh African Greys: The Differences (With Pictures)

Although the Congo and Timneh African Grey parrots both come from Africa, they hail from different regions of the continent. They are different sizes and have slight color differences. Both are intelligent birds, however, and form strong bonds with their humans.

The Timneh is considered the calmer of the two breeds, and they are less likely to suffer from anxiety and stress-related illnesses. Although there are some differences in the way they mimic, both breeds are known to be effective talkers. The more quickly maturing Timneh is the most likely to talk from a younger age, however, and will usually be able to string together a sentence by the time they reach 6 months of age.

Visual Differences

At a Glance

Congo African Grey Parrot Overview

The Congo African Grey is considered a large parrot and is especially popular because they are friendly and affectionate, but also because they are known to develop a good vocabulary with minimal training and encouragement. The Congo is the bigger of these two breeds.

Appearance

The Congo African Grey will grow to approximately 14 inches tall and weigh 1 pound. The Congo usually falls between dark to light gray and has a solid black beak. They will have bright red tail feathers.

Personality/Character

These birds are intelligent but cautious. They form a bond with their human caregiver and prefer a single human rather than bonding closely with all family members. However, considering they will live for 50 years, this may change over time, and your Congo African will integrate into your family.

Vocabulary

One of the reasons people buy African Grey parrots is their ability to talk. The Congo is considered a very good talker. With very little encouragement, they mimic not only the words of the person they speak to but also the pitch and tone of the person’s voice. They may not start speaking until they are 12 months or older, but they can learn many words and sentences throughout their lives.

Health & Care

The Congo is more prone to stress and anxiety-related health conditions. In particular, they are more susceptible to chewing their feathers and skin, something that you will have to keep an eye on.

Suitable for:

The Congo African Grey is a popular parrot and is a decent size and a good talker. However, they are considered more challenging to care for because they are prone to anxiety-related health problems. As such, this bird is better suited for experienced bird owners, and because they prefer to bond with a single human, they are better as part of a small family rather than a large group.

Timneh African Grey Parrot Overview

The Timneh African Grey is similar to the Congo in many ways. However, they are smaller, less anxious, and learn to talk sooner than the Congo. They are considered easier to care for and make a caring pet for families and not just individual owners.

Appearance

The Timneh African Grey is smaller than the Congo. They grow approximately 10 inches tall and weigh around 10 ounces when they are fully mature. The Timneh is darker than the Congo, too, usually a charcoal grey. They have a pink upper beak and dark red tail feathers.

Personality/Character

Like the Congo African Grey, the Timneh is considered very intelligent and equally cautious. They are more likely to bond with the whole family than the Timneh. They can show affection to several people within the same group, which can make them a better choice for larger families and groups of people.

Vocabulary

The Timneh is likely to learn a similar number of words and sentences as the Congo, but they start talking sooner. You should expect them to speak from the age of about 6 months, and they will develop a unique voice rather than mimicking a specific person’s speech.

Suitable for:

The Timneh African Grey is a large parrot that bonds with several people, potentially all family members. They are clever, speak early, and learn many words and sentences throughout their life. They are confident and less prone to anxiety than the Congo African Grey, and this combination makes them a good choice of bird for families, as well as for novice African Grey owners who want a talkative little bird.

Which Breed Is Right for You?

The Congo and the Timneh are breeds of African Grey that share several similarities. In particular, they are both chatty birds and are very intelligent. However, they also have several differences. The Congo is bigger, less likely to bond with multiple family members, and better for the experienced owner. The Timneh is smaller, more confident, and starts talking from a younger age, and they are widely considered a good breed for novice African Grey owners.

Featured Image Credit: Top – Jill Lang, Shutterstock | Bottom – tristan tan, Shutterstock