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Grey Haven AviaryCongo African grey breeder · US · Canada · UK

September 28, 2026 · Blog

African Grey Parrots for Sale in the UK: Article 10, Rules and Our Waitlist

We regularly hear from UK parrot lovers asking whether they can buy one of our Congo African greys and have it delivered to the UK. At the moment the answer is no, and it’s worth explaining exactly why — because the rules around this bird in Britain are stricter than for almost any other pet species.

Why a US bird can’t simply be shipped to the UK

Congo African greys (Psittacus erithacus) are listed on CITES Appendix I and on Annex A of the UK’s own wildlife trade regulations — the highest level of protection under both frameworks. Selling, buying or even advertising one for sale in the UK is only lawful under an Article 10 certificate issued by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Moving a bird into the UK from a US aviary would additionally require CITES export and import permits on both sides. Our aviary is based in Fort Myers, Florida, and we sell only to buyers already living in the US, so this isn’t something we currently do.

Buying within the UK

None of this stops you owning a Congo African grey in Britain — plenty of captive-bred birds are sold there every year. It does mean the seller needs to be able to show you a valid Article 10 certificate for that specific bird (or, for transaction-specific certificates, arrange a new one for your purchase) before any sale can legally go ahead. If you’re buying in the UK, ask to see the Article 10 certificate and check the ring number on it matches the ring on the bird in person or on a video call.

Join our UK waitlist

We’re often asked whether we’ll open a UK-based aviary, and it’s something we’re considering. If we do, UK buyers would be able to see chicks on video and arrange delivery the same way our US buyers do today, with a proper Article 10 certificate for each bird. If you’d like to hear if and when that happens, get in touch and let us know you’re in the UK — we’ll add you to the list.

What to check with any UK breeder

  • A valid Article 10 certificate for that specific bird, with a ring number that matches the bird itself.
  • A live video call or in-person visit with the actual bird before any deposit or payment.
  • A DNA sexing certificate from an independent lab.
  • An avian vet check, with the date and practice named.
  • No pressure to pay before you’ve seen the certificate and ring number match.

See our current Fort Myers birds, or reach out to join our UK waitlist.