Conure

conure: It is a small parrot of about 25 cm, very active, endowed with a huge “care fond” and great intelligence. He lives on average about twenty years.

Its two main character traits are curiosity and gluttony, which makes it an easily tamed bird.

He can be affectionate and will seek your contact as long as he finds an interest in it (interactions, games, treats…).

He is reputed to be a pincher, which is one of the reasons why it is not recommended to leave him with young children. Most of the time, he will pinch slightly simply to “taste” you or to say “be careful, I don’t agree”. If you persist in your action, the pinch can be much more painful.

He needs a firm education and is always positive. He does not understand the concept of punishment. It is a small being composed of a great emotional complexity, which implies that one must absolutely be interested, and seek the reason for undesirable behavior.

Keep in mind that it is a wild animal, so it is normal that it has the same behavior as in nature, which is not always compatible with our daily lives.

It is also a gregarious animal that basically needs congeners of its species to flourish.

Conure behavior

Conure parrots are intelligent, social animals that are known for their playful and energetic personalities. They are generally very active and enjoy climbing, chewing, and playing with toys.

Conure parrots are also known for their vocalizations, and they can be quite loud at times. They may squawk, chatter, and make a variety of other sounds to communicate with their owners and flock mates.

Conure parrots are social animals and do their best when they have the opportunity to interact with their human caregivers and other conures. They may become lonely and depressed if they are left alone for long periods of time.

Conure parrots can also be quite affectionate and may bond closely with their owners. They may enjoy cuddling and being petted, and some may even learn to mimic words and phrases.

It is important to provide conure parrots with plenty of stimulation and opportunities for physical and mental exercise to prevent boredom and keep them happy and healthy. This can include providing a variety of toys, perches, and climbing structures, as well as interacting with them regularly and providing them with socialization and training.

Conure sounds

Conure parrots are known for their vocalizations and can make a variety of sounds to communicate with their owners and flock mates. Some common sounds that conures may make include:

  1. Squawking: This is a loud, harsh cry that conures may use to communicate distress or alert others to potential danger.
  2. Chattering: This is a series of rapid, high-pitched chirps or chatters that conures may use to communicate excitement or joy.
  3. Whistling: Conures may learn to whistle tunes or mimic other sounds, such as the ringing of a phone or the alarm of a smoke detector.
  4. Purring: Some conures may make a soft, low-pitched purring noise when they are feeling content and relaxed.

It is important to note that conures can be quite loud at times, and they may make these and other sounds frequently throughout the day. This can be a delightful aspect of conure ownership for some people, but it may not be suitable for everyone.

If you are considering getting a conure, it is important to be aware of its potential for noise and to consider whether it is an acceptable level for your household.

Conure DNA test

You have to go through DNA sexing.

You can do it yourself. All you have to do is choose a laboratory, and send them some feathers, which you have collected correctly. Be careful though, some site has a low price but it will take large feathers (remiges, tail) which is painful.

It is in some cases possible to determine the sex of nestlings by the mutation of their parents.

Conure bird cage

A cage (or better an aviary) must be as large as possible, it’s a matter of common sense. The length is to be preferred to the height (these are not helicopters).

What you find in pet stores is too often unsuitable. In fact, cages measuring less than 90 cm x 50 cm and round cages should be avoided.

Aside from cage size, enrichment is equally important. Your birds need to occupy themselves, chew, to look for their food.

In order to optimize the space, place the perches (natural branches recovered in the forest) in the direction of the width, trying to keep the middle of the cage empty. Rotate the toys, place the food high up and not under the perches and reorganize their environment often.

It is a parrot that loves to sleep in the nest all year round. You will have to place it in height by placing it outside the cage so as not to clutter the space. If breeding is not desired, you can opt for a small tent.

Needing to fly, it will be necessary to open its cage several times a day so that it can frolic in a secure room.

It is possible to house them in an outdoor aviary all year round, provided you have accustomed them a few months before winter. Knowing that a bird warms up while flying, an aviary two meters in length would be a minimum. Parts must be sheltered from winds and bad weather.

Here are some ideas for arranging your space:

  • Wooden logs
  • Hazel Corkscrew
  • Coconut board
  • giant perch
  • Crusher Ball
  • seat board
  • Ladder
  • leg rings

Conure food

Food should be rich and varied. The bowls of water and food must be removed and renewed every day in order to preserve freshness.

  • Seeds: Large Parakeet Seed Mix
  • Extruded
  • Sprouted seeds: Soak the seeds (around 4:00 for the smallest, 10:00 for the largest), rinsing them as much as possible, then germinate them, always rinsing them as much as possible. Serve them as soon as the seed is germinated, do not wait! 
  •  Vegetables & Fruits: a large majority are authorized, serve them in different forms: cut, whole, in the feeder, mixed with their mash, in the form of a hanging skewer, hidden, raw, cooked… You can serve them vegetables every day, regarding fruits, twice a week is sufficient due to their sugar content
  • Food: to give in winter if your conures are outdoors, during the molting or breeding period.
  • Vitamins: These are not necessary if your conure has a balanced diet.
  • Clay: leave permanently. Be careful, however, not to give at the same time as a treatment, as the clay would soak the effect of the medicine.
  • Red Palm Oil, Coconut Oil: Excellent for feathers, skin, and heart function. May be given occasionally, by mixing a small amount with the seeds.
  • Pine nut: Perfect as a reward, they love it. 

Conure breeding

Breeding conure parrots can be a rewarding experience, but it is also a big responsibility. Here are some things to consider before you start breeding conures:

  1. Make sure you have a good understanding of the specific species you are interested in breeding, including their natural history, behavior, and requirements for housing, diet, and care.
  2. Ensure that you have suitable facilities for breeding conures, including a large, safe, and well-ventilated enclosure, as well as appropriate nesting boxes or breeding cages.
  3. Provide a healthy and varied diet for your breeding conures, including a range of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a high-quality pellet or seed mix.
  4. Keep a close eye on the health and well-being of your breeding conures, and seek veterinary care if necessary.
  5. Be prepared to devote a significant amount of time and effort to the care and management of your breeding conures, including monitoring the progress of the chicks and ensuring they are well-socialized.
  6. Consider carefully whether you have the resources and experience to responsibly breed conures, and be prepared to find good homes for any chicks that you produce.

Conure adoption

Conures are intelligent, social birds that make great pets. If you’re considering adopting a conure, there are a few things you should know.

First, conures are known for their loud, energetic personalities. They need a lot of mental and physical stimulation, so it’s important to provide them with plenty of toys and opportunities to play and explore. They also need plenty of social interaction, so it’s important to spend time with them every day.

Conures can be trained to do a variety of tricks and behaviors, and they can be very affectionate with their owners. However, they can also be prone to biting if they don’t receive the attention and care they need, so it’s important to be patient and consistent when training and interacting with them.

When adopting a conure, it’s important to do your research and choose a reputable breeder or adoption agency. Conures can live for 20 years or more, so it’s a big commitment to bring one into your home. Make sure you have the time, resources, and knowledge to properly care for a conure before making the decision to adopt one.

Conure reproduction

Conure parrots reproduce through a process called sexual reproduction, in which a male and female conure mate and produce offspring. The female conure lays eggs, which are incubated by either the male or the female (depending on the species) until they hatch into chicks.

Conure parrots typically reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 years of age, although this can vary depending on the species. During the breeding season, males will often engage in courtship behaviors such as singing, dancing, and offering food to females in an effort to win their favor. The female allows the male to mate with her if she is receptive.

The female conure will then lay eggs in a nest, which may be a natural cavity in a tree or a man-made nesting box. The eggs are incubated for about 3-4 weeks, depending on the species, before hatching into chicks. The male and female will take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks until they are old enough to leave the nest.

It is important to note that breeding conure parrots require a significant amount of time, effort, and resources, and it should not be undertaken lightly. It is important to be prepared to provide proper care and housing for the breeding conures and their chicks and to find good homes for any offspring that you produce.

Conure lifespan

Conures are long-lived birds and can live for 20 years or more with proper care. The average lifespan of a conure is around 15-25 years, although some individuals have been known to live longer. Factors that can influence a conure’s lifespan include its diet, environment, genetics, and overall health.

Providing your conure with a healthy diet, a safe and stimulating environment, and regular veterinary care can help ensure that it lives a long and healthy life.

Conure type

There are many different types of conure parrots, which belong to the family Aratingidae. Some of the most popular types of conures include

Green-cheeked Conure

This small, energetic conure is native to South America and is known for its bright green and grey plumage.

Sun Conure

This vibrantly colored conure is native to South America and is known for its orange, yellow, and green plumage.

Maroon-bellied Conure

This small conure is native to South America and is known for its reddish-brown belly and green plumage.

Nanday Conure

This medium-sized conure is native to South America and is known for its mostly black plumage with a splash of bright blue on the wings.

Pacific Conure

This small conure is native to Central and South America and is known for its green plumage with a red breasts and blue wings.

Jenday Conure

This medium-sized conure is native to South America and is known for its vibrant yellow and green plumage.

Blue-crowned Conure

This medium-sized conure is native to Central and South America and is known for its green plumage with a blue crown and red underwing feathers.

Cherry-headed Conure

This small conure is native to South America and is known for its bright red head and green body.

Red-masked Conure

This medium-sized conure is native to Central and South America and is known for its green plumage with a red head and breast.

Conure price

The price of a conure can vary depending on the specific type of conure, where you purchase it from, and any additional costs such as supplies and veterinary care. In general, conures tend to be more affordable than larger parrot species such as macaws and amazons, but the cost can still vary widely.

Some common types of conures and their approximate price ranges are:

  • Green-cheeked conure: $100-$300
  • Sun conure: $300-$700
  • Nanday conure: $150-$400
  • Jenday conure: $400-$800
  • Blue-crowned conure: $300-$700
  • Peach-fronted conure: $200-$400

Keep in mind that these are just rough estimates and prices can vary significantly depending on where you live and where you purchase the bird. It’s important to do your research and be prepared for the ongoing costs of caring for a conure, including food, supplies, and veterinary care.

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