Most parrots can copy sounds, but African greys are special. They don't just copy - they seem to understand. The most famous African grey, a bird called Alex who lived in America, learned to count, name colours, and even ask questions like 'what colour is this?'. Alex changed what scientists thought parrots could do.
In the wild, African greys live in big flocks - sometimes hundreds of birds. They roost in tall trees at night and fly out in noisy groups at dawn to find fruit, nuts and seeds. Their loud whistles and squawks fill the rainforest. A flock heading off to feed is one of the noisiest sounds in any African forest.
They use their feet a bit like hands. An African grey can hold a piece of fruit in one foot and lift it carefully to its beak, while balancing on the other foot. They are also right- or left-footed, just like humans are right- or left-handed.
African greys live a very long time - some over 50 years. In the wild, they pair up with one partner and often stay with that partner for life. They preen each other's feathers, share food, and call out to keep in contact when they fly through the forest.