Common African Grey Parrot Health Issues and What Causes Them
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African greys face a mix of nutritional, behavioral, and infectious health risks, and this species is more prone to a couple of specific conditions than smaller parrots are.
Hypocalcemia (Low Blood Calcium)
This is the signature health issue in this species. Veterinary sources describe it as the most common cause of central nervous system disease in African greys specifically. Watch for muscle tremors, weakness, and in serious cases, seizures. A seizure is an emergency, get to a vet immediately for injectable calcium. Longer-term, this is managed through proper diet, vitamin D, and UVB exposure.
Feather-Destructive Behavior (Plucking)
Bald patches and damaged feathers. African greys are specifically noted as especially prone to this compared to smaller parrot species such as the budgie and the cockatiel. Causes include stress, boredom, loneliness, insufficient sleep, poor diet, or an underlying medical issue. Always rule out medical causes with a vet first; our enrichment guide covers the foraging research behind the boredom side of it.
African greys are specifically noted as more prone to feather-destructive plucking than smaller parrot species, and the underlying cause is often as simple as insufficient sleep or an under-stimulated day, not a single dramatic trigger.
Aspergillosis
A fungal respiratory infection this species is genuinely prone to. Watch for labored breathing, sneezing, lethargy, and weight loss. Caused by warm, moist, unsanitary conditions or mold, often from fresh food left in the cage too long. Always see a vet, treatment can take months, and this can be fatal if untreated.
Psittacosis
Caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Signs include tail-bobbing, wheezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, and a fluffed-up appearance. This is zoonotic, it can spread to people in the household, and needs a vet for antibiotic treatment.
PBFD (Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease)
A virus causing feather and beak deformities along with immune suppression, potentially fatal, especially in young birds. Diagnosed through vet testing.
The Husbandry Pattern Worth Remembering
A seed-heavy diet with insufficient UVB directly causes hypocalcemia, the most defining health risk for this species. Boredom and insufficient sleep drive feather plucking, particularly common in greys. And a damp, poorly ventilated cage with old food left sitting invites aspergillosis. A quality pelleted diet and a gram scale for tracking weight over time both support catching problems early.
Sources & Further Reading
Last reviewed 17 Jul 2026 · 2 sources
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common health issue in African grey parrots?
Hypocalcemia, low blood calcium. Veterinary sources call it the most common cause of central nervous system disease in greys, and the signs are muscle tremors, weakness, and seizures in serious cases.
What should I do if my African grey has a seizure?
Treat it as an emergency and get to a vet immediately for injectable calcium. Longer-term, hypocalcemia is managed through proper diet, vitamin D, and UVB exposure.
Why are African greys especially prone to feather plucking?
African greys are specifically noted as especially prone to feather-destructive behavior compared to smaller parrot species. Causes include stress, boredom, loneliness, insufficient sleep, poor diet, or an underlying medical issue, so medical causes should always be ruled out with a vet first.
What is aspergillosis and why is this species prone to it?
A fungal respiratory infection this species is prone to, caused by warm, moist, unsanitary conditions or mold, often from fresh food left in the cage too long. Watch for labored breathing, sneezing, lethargy, and weight loss. Treatment can take months, and it can be fatal if untreated.
Is psittacosis dangerous to people, not just birds?
Yes. Psittacosis, caused by Chlamydia psittaci, is zoonotic and can spread to people in the household. Signs include tail-bobbing, wheezing, nasal discharge, diarrhea, and a fluffed-up appearance, and it needs a vet for antibiotic treatment.
What is PBFD?
Psittacine beak and feather disease. The virus deforms feathers and beaks and suppresses the immune system, it's potentially fatal, especially in young birds, and vet testing diagnoses it.
📰 More on the African Grey Parrot
📘 African Grey Parrot care guide
🦜 How Much Does an African Grey Parrot Really Cost?
🦜 How to Handle an African Grey Parrot
🦜 African Grey Parrot Cage Setup: Size, Placement, and Enrichment Done Right
🦜 African Grey Parrot Feeding: Schedule, Diet, and Why They Stop Eating
🦜 African Grey Enrichment: Foraging Is the One With Real Evidence
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Written by Michael Ryan
Mike keeps two rescued bearded dragons, Dex and Cera, and writes the care guides on BeastlyFacts from his own research and mistakes. He is not a veterinarian.
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