African Grey vs Amazon Parrot, which is right for you in the UAE?

Reviewed by Hamza, Avian Care Lead at Dubai Birds since 2018

Last reviewed May 2026

Option A

African Grey Parrot

Psittacus erithacus

Option B

Amazon Parrot

Amazona spp.

African Greys and Amazons sit at the top of most UAE buyers' parrot shortlists. Both are highly intelligent, long-lived, and capable talkers, but they have very different temperaments, noise levels, and household demands. This guide compares them on the seven factors that matter most for first-time and experienced owners in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

Our recommendation

Choose an African Grey if you want the world's best talker, you can spend several focused hours a day with the bird, and a quieter, more analytical companion suits your home. Choose an Amazon Parrot if you want a more outgoing, vocal personality, you prefer a hardier eater, and you don't mind a louder bird that loves to vocalise at sunrise and sunset.

Side-by-side

Attribute	African Grey Parrot	Amazon Parrot
Lifespan	50-60+ years	40-60 years
Talkability	Exceptional, clearest mimic of any species	Very good, favours singing and phrases
Noise level	Moderate (mostly contact calls + speech)	Loud (sunrise + sunset screaming sessions)
Temperament	Reserved, neophobic, deeply bonded to one person	Outgoing, social, can bond to whole family
Best for first-time owners	Not recommended, needs experienced handler	Manageable for committed beginners
Time commitment	3-4 focused hours daily	2-3 focused hours daily
Cage size (minimum)	120 × 90 × 150 cm	100 × 75 × 130 cm
Diet sensitivity	Calcium-sensitive, needs careful supplementation	Robust eater, wide range of fresh foods
AED price range at Dubai Birds	Contact for current pricing	Contact for current pricing
CITES status	Appendix I (paperwork included)	Appendix I or II depending on species

Frequently asked

Which is louder, an African Grey or an Amazon?

Amazons are noticeably louder. They have predictable sunrise and sunset vocalisation periods that can carry across an apartment block. African Greys make contact calls and chatter but rarely engage in sustained loud screaming.

Which talks better?

African Greys are widely considered the best talking parrots in the world. They mimic with remarkable clarity and have demonstrated genuine context-awareness in Dr. Irene Pepperberg's research with Alex the Grey. Amazons are also strong talkers, often favouring songs and phrases over single-word vocabulary.

Are either of them legal in the UAE?

Yes. Both are legally owned in the UAE when sourced from approved breeders. Every bird from Dubai Birds comes with the required paperwork.

Which is better for a family with kids?

Amazons. They're more outgoing, less likely to single-bond to one person, and more tolerant of household noise. African Greys can be excellent family birds but typically form a strong primary bond with one adult.

Still not sure?

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