Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why do young African gray parrots stay close to their parents after fledging?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

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*).

After fledging, young African gray parrots remain closely associated with their parents for an additional two to three years. During this extended period, the young birds stay with their parents to become habituated to the social structure of the flock and to learn the meanings of various vocalizations used for communication.1