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Green Cheek Conures (Pyrrhura family)
Description
Green Cheek Conures are one of the smallest Conures at around 10” and weighing approximately 70g. They originate in Bolivia (Republic of) in Central South America, and are closely link to Macaws. They are green bodied, with long red tails, a grey “scarf” around the neck area and blue flight feathers. They also have prominent white eye rings, with black beaks and dark grey feet. Green Cheek Conures also have an oil gland to preen their feathers and do not create the dust found African Grey Parrots, this also gives their feathers a beautiful sheen. Today with specialist breeding programs, there are “mutation” colours, such as Cinnamon, Pineapple, and Blue Green Cheek Conures.
Pyrrhura Conures are also know as “the quieter parrot”, as they are considerably less noisy than some parrots.
Given proper care and diet your Green Cheek Conures will live a long and happy life, between 15-30 years.
An update to the above is that recently (in the UK) a breeder has bred a Blue-Pineapple.
Housing
Green Cheek Conures, require a minimum cage size of 24”x24”x18”, but with any caged bird, “the larger the better”. One concern is that the bar spacing must be appropriate for your Conure, as if they can get their head through the bars, this could prove fatal. Horizontal bars help with climbing, and are worth looking out for when deciding on a cage. The cage must be placed in an appropriate location, so interaction is easy, but also away from draughts, fumes and smoke. It is a good idea to cover the cage at night, as it can help regulate the parrot day, as they need approximately 12 hours of sleep a day. Perches should be placed high, for roosting and low and have varying widths, so as to exercise their feet. Natural branches or nail trimming perches are the best choice. Alongside the cage, it’s often a good idea to get a play stand for when the parrot is out of the cage. Conures, as with most parrots love to play, and require a selection of parrot safe toys, including puzzles, foot toys, swings etc., these can be all moved around the cage changing the environment for added enjoyment . Also try hanging some of their foods like a corn on the cob, as this provides great stimulation. Another thing relished by Conures, is bathing, and a good idea is to regularly place a shallow dish of water in the bottom of the cage, but remember to remove right after bathing. Cleaning should be regular, with food and water dishes thoroughly cleaned daily. The floor can be covered with newspaper and again replaced daily.
Diet
Wild Conures will feed on grass seeds, nuts, berries, fruits, flowers, buds, insects and grains and like many parrots will scavenge. Pet Conures require a good balance diet and there are two options, pellet based or seed based. Having no experience of the pellet diet, I can only give an outline on this subject. The pellet diet provides all that a parrot requires nutritionally, and does not require extra vitamins and minerals, but can be boring for intelligent parrots like Conures. Seed based diets, need to be a good quality parrot mix with not too much striped Sunflower seed, fed from a large bowl (as if small bowls are used, all parrots will drop/discard seed getting to their favourite seed, but also, getting into the seed provides mental stimulation too). Along side this there should be a variety for vegetables and fruits cut into varying sizes (see the Diet page), millet spray, soaked parrot pulses, and sprouted seeds. You will also have to add a vitamins supplement & minerals, in either supplement or cuttlefish bone. Conures, and all parrots, should always have access to a bowl of clean, fresh water, often changed several times a day, if your Conure “dunks” (as most do).
Health
Conures, along with any prey animal, will not show any symptoms of illness until it is very ill. Watch your bird daily, and be aware of the following, which may indicate an ill bird:- decreased activity (maybe sat at the bottom of the cage), not eating, weight loss (chest bone sticking out), ruffled plumage, cloudy eyes, watery droppings over couple of days, discharge from nostrils, laboured breathing or stops talking, however Conures are hardy birds, with a remarkable resistance to illness. A healthy bird (and what to look for in a new bird), is bright, clear eyes, with smooth feathering, eating throughout the day and a curious investigative manner. It is also very beneficial for Conures (especially the young just fledging) not to have their wings clipped, as in the long term; they are able to build up stronger chest muscles, developing into a healthier bird, however nails and beaks will require a trim if they get overgrown.
If in any doubt consult an Avian Vet immediately!
Handling
It is widely accepted that animals have a 6th sense as far as fear is concerned and parrots are no exception. If a person is afraid of a parrot, the bird will sense this and often test their boundaries of social behaviour. Be confident, but gentle and never hit your bird, as this will lead to a loss of trust between you and the bird. In the wild Conures are flock birds, which is why they make great pets (as you join their flock).They are intelligent, and easily trained, with the most basic commands such as "step up" onto your finger and "step down" when putting them back into their cage, praising the good behaviour, and ignoring the bad behaviour. Young birds will often test boundaries and rough play can lead to painful bites, as they are not aware of the strength of their bite, so placing the bird back in the cage for a 5 minute cool off helps, although they often require to be reminded. Green Cheek Conures, can talk, although compared with an African Grey, their words are very limited, with a high pitched voice, which sometimes only their owners can recognise.
Site created January 2007.