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C.A.Gs — Congo African Greys, Midland TX
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USDA AWA Licensed · CITES Documented · Vet Certified

African Grey Parrot Health Guarantee

Our buyer protection promise — because you're bringing home a 40–60 year companion, not a product.

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

USDA AWA Licensed

Federal Animal Welfare Act licensing. Our facility meets USDA inspection standards. License number available on request.

CITES Documentation

Every bird ships with CITES Appendix I captive-bred certification. Legal ownership proven. No wild-caught birds, ever.

Avian Vet Certified

Full avian veterinarian health exam before pickup or shipping. Health certificate provided. DNA sexing included.

What Our Health Guarantee Covers

✓

Pre-existing congenital conditions

Any condition that existed before purchase and is diagnosed by a certified avian veterinarian within 72 hours of pickup or delivery.

✓

Infectious disease at time of sale

Active infections that were present but not detectable at our pre-sale vet exam, confirmed by an independent avian veterinarian.

✓

Shipping-related health issues

Health problems directly attributable to the shipping process, reported within 24 hours of bird arrival at destination airport.

✗

What's not covered

Accidents, injuries after delivery, conditions resulting from improper care or diet, behavioral issues, or changes in circumstances. African Greys require specific husbandry — we provide complete care guides to prevent avoidable issues.

CITES Documentation Included With Every Bird

African Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) are listed on CITES Appendix I — the international treaty that regulates wildlife trade. This means all African Greys, even captive-bred birds, require specific documentation to be legally sold and owned in the United States.

Every bird from our aviary comes with a complete documentation package:

  • DOC 1 CITES Appendix I captive-bred certificate — confirms your bird was bred in captivity in the United States, not imported from the wild.
  • DOC 2 DNA sexing certificate — laboratory-confirmed sex (male/female), not guessed by physical appearance. Issued by a certified avian DNA lab.
  • DOC 3 USDA health certificate — required for interstate transport. Issued by our avian vet within 10 days of shipping date.
  • DOC 4 Avian vet records — complete health history from our vet, including vaccination records and any treatments during weaning.

Keep these documents in a safe place. You may need them if you travel between states, move internationally, or if ownership is ever questioned. Buyers from states with strict wildlife regulations (California, Hawaii, New York) benefit especially from having complete documentation.

Avian Vet Certification Before Pickup

Every bird is examined by our avian veterinarian before leaving our aviary — no exceptions. The exam includes:

  • ✓ Weight and body condition assessment
  • ✓ Respiratory system evaluation
  • ✓ Feather and skin condition check
  • ✓ Musculoskeletal examination
  • ✓ Crop and digestive health assessment
  • ✓ Parasite screening
  • ✓ Behavioral health observation
  • ✓ USDA health certificate issuance

We also recommend new owners schedule an independent avian vet appointment within 7 days of bringing their bird home. This establishes a baseline health record separate from ours — important for a bird that will live with you for decades.

Health Guarantee: Common Questions

What does the African Grey parrot health guarantee cover? +
Our health guarantee covers congenital conditions and infectious disease for 72 hours after pickup or delivery. Each bird receives a full avian vet examination before leaving our aviary. If a certified avian veterinarian diagnoses a pre-existing condition within the guarantee period, we work with you directly to resolve it — including full replacement or refund at our discretion.
What CITES documentation comes with my African Grey parrot? +
Every bird from Congo African Greys includes: CITES Appendix I captive-bred certification confirming legal US captive breeding, DNA sexing certificate, avian veterinarian health certificate, and USDA inspection records from our AWA-licensed aviary. These documents prove your bird is legal to own and legally documented — critical if you ever travel or move states.
Do I need to take my new African Grey to a vet after purchase? +
Yes — we strongly recommend a new-owner avian vet visit within 5–7 days of bringing your bird home. This establishes a baseline health record and confirms our pre-purchase vet clearance. We provide vet records from our aviary vet to make this appointment faster. The new-owner vet visit also starts your bird's lifelong health file — important for a species that lives 40–60 years.
What happens if my bird arrives unwell after shipping? +
Birds are vet-checked within 48 hours before any shipping date. IATA-compliant travel containers are used, and flights are kept under 8 hours when possible. If your bird shows distress on arrival, contact us immediately — same day. We take shipping health concerns seriously and have standing protocols with our avian vet for remote consultation to buyers.
Is Congo African Greys USDA licensed? +
Yes. Mark & Teri Benjamin operate under a USDA Animal Welfare Act (AWA) license for their aviary in Midland, Texas. This means our facility is subject to USDA inspection, our animal care practices meet federal standards, and our records are maintained to government requirements. You can request our USDA license number at any time.
What is your return policy for African Grey parrots? +
We do not accept returns for buyer's remorse — African Grey parrots are living beings, not products, and transfers are stressful for the bird. However, our health guarantee covers pre-existing conditions as described. If a life change makes it impossible to care for your bird, we will assist you in finding a responsible rehome rather than surrender to a rescue. We maintain relationships with our birds' families for life.

Ready to Meet Your African Grey?

Our birds are hand-raised, CITES-documented, and DNA sexed. Reach out to start the conversation — we reply within 24 hours.

Inquire About a Bird

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