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C.A.Gs — Congo African Greys, Midland TX

USDA AWA Licensed · CITES Captive-Bred · DNA Sexed

African Grey Parrot for Adoption

Adopting a captive-bred, documented African Grey from a licensed breeder — the responsible, fully legal way to bring home a 40–60 year companion.

USDA AWA Licensed Federal breeder license
CITES Appendix I Compliant Captive-bred documentation
DNA Sexed & Certified Certificate with every bird
Avian Vet Health Certificate Pre-placement exam
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What "African Grey Adoption" Means With a Reputable Breeder

When most people search for an African Grey parrot for adoption, they want one thing: to bring home a healthy, well-socialized bird through an honest, responsible process. At Congo African Greys, adoption means exactly that — acquiring a captive-bred, fully documented African Grey from a USDA AWA-licensed family aviary in Midland, Texas.

This is different from a shelter rescue or rehoming program. Our adoption birds are hand-raised from the nest, fully weaned, DNA sexed, and examined by an avian veterinarian before they ever leave us. You know the bird's exact hatch date, parentage, band number, and health history. Nothing is a mystery.

The adoption fee is the purchase price — and it covers far more than the bird itself. It includes the complete documentation package that proves your African Grey is legal to own, legal to transport, and legitimately captive-bred. For a full breakdown of costs, see our African Grey parrot price guide.

CITES notice: African Greys are listed under CITES Appendix I. Every bird we place is captive-bred in the United States and ships with full CITES captive-bred documentation. We never sell wild-caught birds — and you should never adopt one. Learn the warning signs in our guide to how to avoid African Grey parrot scams.

Breeder Adoption vs. Rescue Rehoming

Adopting From Congo African Greys

  • ✓ Known hatch date, parentage, and band number
  • ✓ Hand-raised, fully weaned, and socialized
  • ✓ Full CITES captive-bred documentation
  • ✓ DNA sexing and avian vet health certificate
  • ✓ 3-day health guarantee
  • ✓ Lifetime breeder support after adoption

Typical Rescue Rehoming

  • — Often unknown age and origin history
  • — May arrive with behavioral or plucking issues
  • — Documentation frequently incomplete or missing
  • — Sex and health status often unverified
  • — Health guarantees rarely offered
  • — Limited or no post-placement support

Both paths can be responsible — but if you want a documented, health-verified bird with a known history, breeder adoption gives you certainty from day one.

The African Grey Adoption Process

Five clear steps — from first inquiry to your bird coming home. Most adoptions complete within one to three weeks.

1

Inquiry

Tell us about your home and the variant you want through our short contact form. We reply within 24 hours.

2

Deposit

A $200 deposit reserves your African Grey and is applied toward the total adoption fee.

3

Matching

We pair you with the right bird by temperament, age, and experience level — not just availability.

4

Documentation

You preview the full CITES, DNA, health, and hatch documents before final payment is made.

5

Pickup or Delivery

Collect in Midland, Texas free of charge, or choose IATA-compliant shipping nationwide for $185.

What's Included in the Adoption Fee

Your adoption fee is never just the bird. Every African Grey leaves our aviary with a complete documentation package.

Your African Grey

A hand-raised, fully weaned, socialized bird ready to bond with your family.

CITES Captive-Bred Certification

CITES Appendix I documentation confirming legal, captive-bred US origin.

DNA Sexing Certificate

Lab-verified confirmation of your bird's sex — proof of a professional program.

Avian Vet Health Certificate

A full pre-adoption examination by a certified avian veterinarian.

Hatch Certificate & Band Number

Documented hatch date and a unique closed leg band identifying your bird for life.

3-Day Health Guarantee

Coverage against pre-existing conditions diagnosed by a certified avian vet.

African Grey Adoption Fees

All adoption fees include the full documentation package above. A $200 deposit reserves your bird.

Congo African Grey

$1,700–$3,500

The larger variant with a signature red tail. Price varies by age, with adults from $1,700 and bonded pairs at the top of the range.

See Congo African Grey for sale

Timneh African Grey

$1,500–$1,600

The smaller variant — often calmer, with a maroon tail and a tendency to start talking earlier than Congos.

See Timneh African Grey for sale

Want a complete cost breakdown including setup and lifetime care? Read our African Grey parrot price guide or our detailed adoption cost breakdown covering rescue vs. breeder, first-year setup, and lifetime estimates.

Nationwide Adoption Delivery

Can't visit Midland, Texas? We ship adopted African Greys nationwide for a flat $185 via IATA-compliant live-animal cargo with Delta, United, and American. Your bird travels in a climate-appropriate, vet-approved container, accompanied by a USDA health certificate required for interstate transport.

Local pickup at our aviary is always free of charge.

Post-Adoption Support

Adoption with us is the start of a relationship, not the end of a transaction. Mark and Teri Benjamin stay available for the life of your bird — answering questions on diet, enrichment, training, and avian health.

You also receive a settling-in guide and our aviary vet records to speed your first new-owner vet visit.

African Grey Adoption — Frequently Asked Questions

What does African Grey parrot adoption mean with a licensed breeder?
Adopting an African Grey from Congo African Greys means acquiring a captive-bred, fully documented bird from a USDA AWA-licensed family aviary. Unlike rescue or rehoming, our adoption birds are hand-raised, weaned, DNA sexed, and avian vet-certified. The adoption fee is the purchase price and includes complete CITES Appendix I captive-bred documentation, so your bird is legal to own and transport.
How much is the African Grey parrot adoption fee?
The adoption fee depends on the variant. Congo African Greys range from $1,700 to $3,500 depending on age and pairing. Timneh African Greys range from $1,500 to $1,600. Every adoption fee includes the bird, CITES captive-bred certification, DNA sexing certificate, avian vet health certificate, and hatch certificate with band number. A $200 deposit reserves your bird.
What is the African Grey adoption process?
Adoption has five steps: submit an inquiry through our contact form, place a $200 refundable-against-purchase deposit to reserve your bird, complete a matching conversation so we pair you with the right temperament, receive a documentation preview before final payment, and arrange pickup in Midland, Texas or IATA-compliant shipping for $185. The full process typically takes one to three weeks.
Is adopting an African Grey parrot legal in the United States?
Yes. African Greys are CITES Appendix I, and all of our birds are captive-bred in the United States with full documentation. Every adopted bird ships with CITES captive-bred certification proving legal origin. We never sell wild-caught birds. Captive-bred African Greys are legal to own in most US states — we recommend confirming any local permit requirements before adoption.
Can I adopt an African Grey parrot if I live in another state?
Yes. We offer IATA-compliant live-animal shipping nationwide for a flat $185 via Delta, United, and American cargo. Your bird travels in a climate-appropriate, vet-approved container with a USDA health certificate for interstate transport. Local pickup at our Midland, Texas aviary is also welcome and free of charge.
Does an adopted African Grey come with a health guarantee?
Yes. Every adopted African Grey is covered by a 3-day health guarantee against pre-existing congenital conditions and infectious disease diagnosed by a certified avian veterinarian. Each bird receives a full avian vet exam before pickup or shipping. We recommend a new-owner vet visit within the first week to start your bird's lifelong health record.
Should I adopt a Congo or a Timneh African Grey?
Both make exceptional companions. Congo African Greys are larger with a red tail and higher name recognition. Timneh African Greys are smaller, often calmer, and tend to start talking earlier. Your matching conversation with us helps determine the best fit for your home and experience level. You can compare both on our Congo African Grey for sale and Timneh African Grey for sale pages.
What ongoing support comes after I adopt an African Grey?
Post-adoption support is included for the life of your bird. Mark and Teri Benjamin remain available for questions on diet, enrichment, training, and avian health. We provide a settling-in guide, our aviary vet records to speed your first vet visit, and ongoing advice. We stay connected with our birds' families — adoption with us is the start of a long relationship.

Ready to Adopt Your African Grey?

Every bird is captive-bred, CITES-documented, DNA sexed, and avian vet-certified. Submit an inquiry to start the matching process — we reply within 24 hours.

Inquire About a Bird

$200 deposit reserves your bird · 3-day health guarantee · IATA-compliant shipping nationwide