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How do African gray parrots move between branches while feeding?

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Close-up of an African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) showing its curved black beak, pale eye, and detailed grey feathers. — African gray parrot African gray parrot (*Psittacus erithacus*).

When foraging in trees, African gray parrots prefer to use their beaks and feet to climb between branches rather than flying. Like other parrots, they possess zygodactylous feet—an arrangement where two toes point forward and two point backward—which serves as a specialized aid for climbing. In addition to using these feet for grasping, they frequently employ their bills to assist them as they navigate vertically through the canopy.12