Grey parrots in Westafrika

Trapping for the pet trade, the felling of large nesting trees, and habitat destruction have had a catastrophic impact on the once widespread grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) in West Africa (Annorbah, Collar, Stuart 2015). 

Larger populations are now found only from southeastern Nigeria to Central Africa. Since 2016, both grey parrot species (P. erithacus and P. timneh) have been listed in Appendix I of CITES and are therefore under maximum protection.

In Europe and North America, there are no longer any illegal wild-caught birds for sale, but the situation remains different in Ghana, as in other parts of Africa and Asia. A report from 2023 documents the illegal trade in Ghana. The directory, including corresponding photos and videos, is available here.

Watch our videos on grey parrot conservation.