African Grey Parrot (Congo African Grey, Timneh Grey)

This feather exhibits the iconic bi-coloration of the African Grey Parrot. The bird itself is medium-sized with a short, square, bright red tail and a scalloped grey plumage. It is famously known for its high intelligence and ability to mimic human speech.

The distal tip features a vibrant, 'fire-engine' red pigment. This transitions abruptly into a dark charcoal or slaty grey mid-section, which then fades into a pale, downy grey at the base. The underside is slightly more matte.

The distal half is pennaceous with tightly interlocked barbs providing a smooth surface, while the proximal half is highly plumulaceous (downy) with loose, wispy barbs for insulation.

The rachis is relatively thick and rigid for its size, appearing dark grey in the mid-section and whitening towards the base. Barbs are densely packed in the pennaceous red and grey zones.

The red pennaceous tip is smooth and slightly glossy, while the grey body is matte. The base is extremely soft and silky due to the plumulaceous structure.

Likely an upper tail covert or a feather from the lower rump. The distinctive red tip indicates it is transitioning into the coloration of the rectrices (tail feathers).

Distinctive bright red distal tip abruptly meeting a charcoal grey pennaceous vane, combined with a thick downy base.

Lowland primary and secondary rainforests, mangroves, wooded savannas, and cultivated garden areas near forest edges.

Native to the equatorial rainforest belt of West and Central Africa, including countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, and Ivory Coast.

Primarily a seed and fruit eater, they play a moderate role in seed dispersal across the rainforest canopy and act as prey for large forest raptors.

The Timneh Parrot (Psittacus timneh) has darker, maroon-colored tail feathers. No other bird in its native range features this specific combination of slate grey and brilliant red.

African Greys have the cognitive ability of a 4-6 year old human child in some tasks. They are one of the only bird species observed showing altruistic behavior towards unrelated individuals.

Highly prized in the international pet trade. In some West African cultures, their red tail feathers have been used in ceremonial headdresses and traditional medicine.

Look for these small, red-tipped feathers around nest cavities in tall emergent trees or beneath habitual roosting sites in the African canopy.

Excellent condition. The edges are crisp with minimal fraying, suggesting it was naturally molted or recently shed. There are no signs of stress bars or mite damage.