African grey parrots are highly intelligent, long-lived birds with complex social and cognitive needs - welfare failures in captivity are extremely common.
African grey parrot welfare in captivity is deeply challenging to achieve. Their extreme intelligence and social needs create suffering when unmet - feather destruction, screaming, aggression, and stereotypies all signal welfare compromise. Many birds spend decades in inappropriate conditions: single housing, small cages, minimal foraging enrichment, and inconsistent human interaction. A truly welfare-positive approach requires a flock companion, very large or aviary-scale housing, daily foraging enrichment, and long-term commitment. Rescue organisations are overwhelmed with relinquished grey parrots.