The Cameroon Grey

[luvparrots]

According to Jean Pattison, "When people refer to Ghana, Togo, Cameroon, Congo and Angola Greys, they are referring to the region or country from which these parrots originated. These are their 'street Names' and they refer to 'variations,' not subspecies.

"The Cameroon Greys that most people erroneously refer to in the United States are large silver Greys. However, these Greys actually came from the old Congo, turned Zaire, and now turned back to Congo region. Originally, the Congo exported their birds, and they were the largest and lightest in color, the Congo Grey. The Congo ceased exporting their birds, but during this era, Africa was exporting birds out of Ghana, Togo, Cameroon and other countries. But of course, by this time the term Congo Grey was a permanent "generic " label for any red tail.

Trappers in Africa were trapping birds in Zaire (the old Congo) and smuggling them to Cameroon. Cameroon would then legally export them out of Africa (legal, but NOT legal). So we in the United States received birds from Zaire* (475-600+ grams) with papers saying the birds originated in Cameroon; and on top of that we continued to also receive birds that actually did originate in Cameroon (425-500 grams). Brokers decided to get more money for the larger parrots, thus marketing them as Cameroon Greys (also, they had to since it was illegal to have Zaire/Congo birds), and then they sold the smaller darker birds as the common generic, Congo Grey (any red tail). Are you confused yet? If not, try this... We now have Cameroon Greys that are really Congo in origin, Zaire Greys that were imported out of Togo; therefore, so much for the 'street names'. HOWEVER, after all is said and done, they are ALL one and the same subpecies, the nominate Psittacus erithacus erithacus."

*Note: Importation of wild caught parrots into the Unitied States ceased in 1992 with the enactment of the Wild Bird Conservation Act.

Jean Pattison is the Chairman of the African Parrot Society.

[BMustee]

Most "exporters" would jumble all the greys into crates all mixed up and would label the larger greys as being of Cameroon orgin. Congo Greys as a name is not just a generic name ether. There are only two official subspecies...the "Psittacus erithacus erithacus'' which is the Congo and the ''Psittacus erithacus timneh'' which is the Timneh. Notce how there are no wierd sub-subspecies of the Timneh grey? There was no market for a spin-off like there was for the Congos. I have seen enough TAGs in my day to notice some are bigger than others and some are darker than others.

As for their being a difference in the coloring and size depending on the region of orgin, I'm sure there is a difference. But, unless you have a wild cought Grey you more than likely have a mix of regional ginetics. My Elmo's parrents looked very different from one another. Her mother was a HUGE dark grey, but her father was a smaller lighter grey. Elmo came out looking like her father...weighing in at 385g and has a light silver color...but if I bred her I might get a huge dark grey out of her. So basicly if you have a captive bred bird you really can't say it's a Camroon, Togo, Gabon, or any other distinct region, it's more of a pot-luck now.

[danmcq]

Whats sad, is some breeders actually suck people in for a little more $$$ claiming "Cameroon" greys, as if they are special in some way from other Congo's, of which, they are not.

The truth is, a Congo, is a Congo, is a Congo.....

As with all critters and humans, the area in which they live and the abundance of foods and types dictates slight differences in bone density, size and weight accordingly.

This is a good topic to have been started. Especially for new Congo owners or ones that are thinking of getting one. It will atleast alert them to the fact that some people try to classify Congos by region they MAY have come from in Africa. But, the reality is, they are a Congo and not a "Special" sub-species.

As BMustee stated though, most Greys coming from breeders are not from a specific region in Africa, the are from the local breeders cage and if they happen to have a set of large boned, light gray Congo's, their offspring will have the same genetics as their Mom and Dad, just like us humans do. :-) Got big parents? your gonna be big. Got small parents? your gonna be small....etc.<br><br>Post edited by: danmcq, at: 2008/10/04 14:38

[dblhelix]

http://www.africanature.com/Project%20Africa/wildgreys.htm

[Tycos_mom]

I agree with all of this I have a very large Grey with very dark feathers so she is obviously a all mixed up Congo and who cares anyway a grey is a grey is a grey and they are all wonderful no matter what part of Africa they came from origanally they are from here now. Our birds where born in our country not Africa mabie we should give them a north american name LOL oh yea they already have one they are all African Grey Congo or African Grey Timnehs.<br><br>Post edited by: Tycos_mom, at: 2008/10/05 21:37

[kar2nz]

Casper is quite petite for a Grey. I don't remember the exact weight the doctor said he was, but she did comment that he was a bit smaller than normal. Also, she said he was a bit darker than normal. We have no plans for breeding him, so i guess it doesn't matter what subspecies he is. All that really matters to us is that he seems to be fitting in quite well. From your description though, Casper certainly wouldn't be a Cameroon Grey.

P.S. I looked up Jean Pattison, and read the article you may have been referring to. Casper sounds like the Ghana variety she describes. He's tiny and dark charcoal grey with bright red tail feathers.

[she]

Nice picture. My Charlie is quite big at 500 gms and sort of light grey. I just term him as a cag.Blue my cousing grey is a bit darker and about 450 gms,we weighed him last time I had him stay. Charlie just gets on the scale when I say lets see if you are a fat man.I just refere to Congo and Timneh greys.They are all fantastic birds.

[Char]

Well my Grey is petite and light colored so I guess she is all mixed up.:lol:

[ZivaDiva]

Old-ish thread but happy to see it being a newbie and all. There's a local bird store with a well respected owner AKA the bird lady. She has hand fed babies for sale. Ready?

TAG's - $1,100
Congo's - $1,200 and, yes wait for it
Camaroon's for $1,300!

I'm tempted to stop by or call and ask what the differece is just for a laugh. (But, I am afraid I'll fall in love!)

[redkim]

Hey ZD,

Is that Karen in Torrance? Birds n more? I got my CAG baby from her and while I don't know about the Cameroon deal the baby I have is WONDERFUL!! She sure does do a great job with the birds she raises. I know she is great about emails - you can always email her and ask the Cameroon question.I found her to be very open and informative - it would be interesting to see her answer to this.