• Conuropsis: Carolina Parakeet (extinct)
• Cyanoliseus: Patagonian Conure
• Enicognathus: Austral and Slender-Billed Conures
• Guarouba: Golden or Queen Of Bavaria Conure
• Leptosittaca: Golden-Plumed Conure
• Nandayus: Nanday Conure
• Ognorhynchus: Yellow-Eared Conure

Aratinga

Latin for "little macaw," the Aratinga conures generally seem to have a more mischievous personality than the real little macaws or mini macaws. The Aratinga conures are generally larger with brighter plumage, and are generally the noisier, more outgoing, more demanding of the two primary conure genera. The Sun Conure and Jenday Conure are among the species of conures more commonly kept as pets.

See also Aratinga and Cherry-headed conure, aka Red-Masked Conure.

The Red-masked Conure, Aratinga erythrogenys, is a medium-sized South American parrot. It is known in the pet trade as the Cherry-headed Conure.

Red-masked conures average about 33 cm (13 in) long, of which half is the tail. They are bright green with a mostly red head on which the elongated pale eye-ring is conspicuous; the nape is green. Also, the lesser and median underwing coverts are red, and there is some red on the neck, the thighs, and the leading edge of the wings.

Breeding starts in May. Clutches average 3 to 4 eggs and incubation is 23 or 24 days. Juvenile birds fledge after 50 days with solid green plumage; their first red feathers appear around the age of 4 months. The call is two-syllabled and harsh.

These birds are native to southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru, where they inhabit forest edges and partially cleared areas. Some are sold as cage birds; they are considered good talkers. Escaped cage birds are considered to be introduced in Spain. They are also found in Florida and California, and make up most of the feral population in San Francisco that was documented in the book and film The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Nonetheless, this species is not considered established in North America.

Red-masked Conure

German: Guayaquilsittich

Description:

Green; yellowish-green on lower breast and abdomen; forehead, lores, crown, eye area, cheeks, bend and edge of wings, outer under wing-coverts and thighs red; underside of flight and tail feathers olive-yellow; skin to periophthalmic ring whitish; bill horn-coloured; iris orange-red; feet greyish flesh-colour.

Immatures without red; iris dark.

Length:

33 cm (13 ins).

Distribution:

Western Ecuador and northwest Peru.

Habitat:

In forest, partially open areas with forest remnants; thorn bush savannah and arid regions with tree cover up to 500 m (1,600ft); occasionally on edge of rain forest; also near towns and villages.

Status:

Pretty common.

Habits:

They flock in groups of 6 to 10 birds; formerly occasional flocks of over 1,000 birds; nomadic; noisy and conspicuous; call disyllabic and harsh.

Their Natural diet:

unknown.

Breeding Behaviour:

Cherry-headed conures often breed during the hotter part of the year when most other conures rest. Three to Four eggs are the average clutch size and incubation time is 23-24 days. Nestboxes are 10 x 11 x24 inches. Baby birds will wean around 11=12 weeks of age. Immature birds are sloid green. Babies will start growing some red feathers for their masks at about four months of age. The masks slowly fill in more as the bird reaches maturity.

In Aviculture:

A medium-noisy to noisy conure; not hard chewer; shy and reticent in aviary; playful and inquisitive when unaware of being observed; immatures soon confiding; hardy when acclimatised; enjoys bathing; can be kept at liberty.

Preferred Accommodations:

An outside flight 3 x 1 x 2 m (9 x 3 x 6 ft) with adjoining shelter; protect from frost in winter.

Their Diet in Captivity:

A Quality seed mix of safflower, paddy rice, wheat, oats, canary seed , sunflower and different millets; various fruit and vegetables, particularly apple and carrot; half-ripe maize; rose-hips; greenfood; regular mineral supplement; white bread, rusk and biscuit for rearing.

Breeding in Aviculture:

Not difficult; isolate pairs for breeding season; begins in May; seeks out nest-box when about to breed; 3-4 eggs; icubation 23 days; fledging period 50 days; nest box 25 x 25 x 50 cm (10 x 10 x 20 ins) with entrance hole of 6 cm (2.5ins) diameter.

Pyrrhura

The generally greenish Pyrrhura conures including the very common Green-cheeked Conure and are the other large genus of conures. Usually smaller, duller-colored, and quieter than the Aratinga conures, the Pyrrhura conures contain almost every conure species with a hyphen in the name, and the majority of Pyrrhura species names are hyphenated.

See also Pyrrhura:

Maroon Bellied Conures:

Pyrrhura f.frontalis, Pyrrhura.f.chiripepe, and Pyrrhura.f.devillei:

There are three recognized subspecies of the Maroon-bellied Conure: P.f.frontalis, P.f.chiripepe, and P.f.devillei. It is possible that the maroon-bellied conure here in the Unites States has become a blend of the group of races. Many people are not aware of the different sub species and have mixed them together in breeding.

The Maroon-bellied originates from southeastern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, Uruguay, and eastern Paraguay. Maroon-bellies make active, mischievous and feisty companions. Being a common Pyrrhura they are very available in the pet trade.

They are a small bird with a "big bird complex" and will take on any other creature no matter what the size. They are curious about anything and will be the first bird to check out new toys. These birds breed readily available and make an ideal species for the beginning breeder. Clutch size can be large, from seven to nine eggs, and with a high fertility rate. Incubation usually lasts from 26 to 28 days.

Length: 10 1/4 inches ( 26 cm)

Weight: 3.2 oz. (91 grams)

Green-cheeked Conures:

Pyrrhura molinae:

Green-cheeks have an dark green body and wings with royal blue feathers at the end of their wings, and a maroon tail on both sides. Their head is dark gray and their throats are gray. Of course they have green cheek patches. They are remarkably quiet for a Conure. Green-cheeks are really great little birds. They are absolutely fearless and will try anything. They take to water like ducks almost submerging if given a large enough bath bowl. They are very playful and outgoing. While charming as pets their continual play can be tough on other birds. Green-cheeks can talk a little, a very few talk quite well.

They are excellent as a first pair. They interact with each other while continuing to play with you. Some green-cheeks can get 'nippy'. It seems more like rough play than a real attempt to bite. Like suns they prefer to sleep in the nest box and youngsters will sleep on their backs. They are about the size of a cockatiel. People have had cockatiels raise abandoned green-cheek eggs.

Length just under 10" (25 cm).

Weight is 2.5-3 ounces 68 to 84 grams

Painted Conures :

Pyrrhura picta picta:

#There are nine sub species of the Pyrrhura Picta. The Painted Conure originates from Venezuela, Bolivar, Guyana, Surinam, and Brazil. In the US this is an uncommon bird that is raised mostly by aviculturists for future breeding stock. Due to being uncommon only a few birds are placed into the pet market. They have excellent pet qualities and have personalities similar to the green-cheeked Conure. Hopefully, only males will be sold as pets, as fewer females are produced. With a limited gene pool, all females should be placed in a breeding program when they sexually mature.

These birds are more difficult to breed than some of the more common Pyrrhuras. I do not recommend them for first time breeders. They lay large clutches usually with five to seven eggs. Incubation usually begins with the second or third egg and lasts approximately 23 to 24 days. A baby Painted weighs two or three grams at hatching.

Length: 8 2/3 inches (22 cm)

Weight: 2.5 oz. ( 50-75 grams)

Black Capped Conures :

Pyrrhura rupicola:

There are two subspecies of the Black-capped Conures: P.rupicola.rupicola and P.r.sandiae. More research is needed to determine whether or not both subspecies should be combined into one species.

The Black-capped Conures originates from Peru, northwestern Brazil and northern Bolivia. The rupicola is said to come only from central Peru. Less commonly bred in the United States, these birds originated from a very small imported group. The Black-capped Conures clutch size is four to seven eggs that hatch in approximately 23 to 24 days.

Length: 9 1/4 inches ( 23 cm)

Weight: 2 1/2 oz. ( 55-70 grams)

Pearly Conures:

Pyrrhura perlata:

There are four subspecies of the Pearly Conure: Pyrrhura perlata perlata (or P. p. rhodogaster), P. p. lepida, P.p.coerulescens and P. p.anerhthra. The P. p. perlata is more commonly known as the Crimson bellied conure. In the U.S. the Pearly is most likely represented in the form of P. p.lepida.

These birds are very rare in aviculture and we are experiencing difficulty in breeding and maintaining the population due to a very small original genetic pool. It is highly recommended that surgical sexing be done on these birds due to the problem of polycystic ovary disease which makes some birds sterile. New Stock has been brought into the US in the past few years, so this species is doing much better with the new genetic pool that has been added.

The Pearly Conure originates from rain forests in Brazil. They prefer the tops of trees and are rarely found in the medium or lower forest layers. Difficult to breed, these birds lay four to six eggs that are incubated for 24 to 26 days. The challenge for breeders of these birds, is finding unrelated stock. There has been much inbreeding of the Pearly Conures. A fact that is now exhibited in lack of fertility and other problems associated with inbreeding. Owners should feel obligated to place all birds into a breeding situation.

Length: 9 1/2 inches (24 cm)

Weight: 2.8 oz. (79 grams)

Souance Conures:

Pyrrhura melanura souancei:

There are five subspecies of the Pyrrhura melanura. One of these is the Souance Conure also know as the maroon-tailed Conure. Another uncommon Pyrrhura, it is difficult to find in today's aviculture. This is the only subspecies that is established in the U.S. Only small numbers were imported.

The Souance Conure originates from Columbia, eastern Ecuador and northern Peru. It inhabits the trees of the tropical rain forest. The Souance Conure typically lays from 4 to 7 eggs. Some pairs can be very prolific. Incubation period is approximately 24 to 26 days.

Length: 9 1/2 inches (24 cm)

Weight: 2.8 oz. (60 to85 grams)

White Eared Conures:

Pyrrhura leucotis emma / Pyrrhura leucotis griseipectus:

The White-Eared Conure consists of five sub species. Not all sub species are represented in the US. It has been imported into Europe since 1871 where the birds breed regularly in aviaries there. In the US they are considered to be one of the less common Pyrrhura conures with varied breeding success.

The White-eared Conures originate from Brazil and Venezuela. They inhabit the forests of the tropical and subtropical zone. Their average clutch size is usually 4 to 8 eggs with an incubation of about 20 to 23 days.

Length: 8 1/3 to 8 2/3 inches (21 to 22 cm)

Weight: 2.3 to 2.5 oz. ( 50 to 65 grams)

Rose-fronted Conures:

Pyrrhura picta roseifrons:

The Rose-fronted Conure is one of the nine sub species of the Painted Conure. It is now available in the US because two breeding consortiums have imported these Conures in the past few years. The first breeding of this sub species is being considered for an AFA Avy Award. Richard Cusick of CA, has submitted information to AFA to be considered for the first breeding in the US. The award may be presented at the upcoming AFA convention in Tampa, FL in August of 2002

The Rose-fronted Conure originates from the river regions of the state of Amazonas in northwest Brazil and probably also from eastern Peru. They are similar to the P.p lucianii another sub species of the painted Conure. The red feathers on the head extends from the cheeks, forehead and back to the nape. The red coloring increases with maturity. Young Rose-headed Conures will have more red on the head that a mature lucianii. The first captive breeding was probably done in 1908 in Sao Paulo. The clutch size is usually four to six eggs, most of which are fertile and are incubated 23 to 24 days.

Length : 8 2/3 inches ( 22 cm)

Weight: 2 ½ oz. ( 60to 80 grams)

Crimson Bellied Conures:

Pyrrhura perlata rhodogaster or Pyrrhura perlata perlata:

The Crimson-bellied originates from a small area in Northern Brazil between two tributaries of the Amazon River and also in the Mato Grasso region. This species has been commonly bred outside the US. The first breeding consortium here in the US was started in 1998 by Rick Jordan. Mr. Jordan received and AFA Avy Award for the first breeding of this species at the AFA convention in Houston, TX in 2001. They breed regularly in captivity producing four to six eggs that hatch at approximately 24 to 26 days.

Length: 9 12 inches (24 cm)

Weight: 2.8 ounces (70 to 85 grams)

Hoffman's Conures

Pyrrhura hoffmanni

The Hoffman's originate from southern Costa Rica and Western Panama. The only birds in the U.S. belong to a breeding consortium owned and managed by Dale Thompson. (per the, Pyrrhura Breeders Association ) There are two recognized sub species Pyrrhura hoffmanni hoffmanni and Pyrrhura hoffmanni gaudens. They are very similar except that the gaudens has a more pronounced yellow on the head, which will shade to a orange on the crown and to a red on the back of the nape.

Length: 9 1/2 inches (24 cm)

Weight 2.8 oz. (70 to 85 grams)

Nanday Conure

The Nanday conure, Nandayus nenday is the most commonly kept pet conure species outside of the two main genera. Nanday conures have a distinctive black head, and wings and tails tipped with dark blue feathers. They have a light-blue scarf and bright orange feathers on their legs. Although often said to be extremely noisy, they are also extremely intelligent birds, capable of learning tricks, mimicking sounds, and learning a small vocabulary.

Golden Conure

The Golden conure or Queen of Bavaria Conure, Guarouba guarouba (recently reclassified from Aratinga guarouba) is, as the name implies, covered all over with bright yellow feathers, except for the green wing-tip feathers and the greyish-horn-colored beak. Golden conures are among the most expensive conures both to purchase and to care for, although many owners feel that the benefits outweigh the cost.

Patagonian Conure

The Patagonian conure, or Cyanoliseus patagonus, is a large conure found in the Patagonia region of south-central Argentina and Chile. Drab on the top, brighly colored underneath, the Patagonian conure has exploded in popularity in the last decade, leading to an increase in illegal importation which threatens the wild populations.

Enicognathus

The dusky red-tailed and green Austral conure and the descriptively named Slender-billed conure make up the genus Enicognathus. Although both birds in the genus are available in aviculture, neither is especially common in captivity.

Golden-Plumed Conure The Golden-plumed conure, Leptosittaca branickii, is a small Andean conure not found in aviculture and endangered in its own habitat. Yellow-Eared Conure The exceedingly rare Yellow-eared conure or Ognorhynchus icterotis of Colombia and Ecuador was never common in aviculture and has not successfully bred in captivity.

Carolina Parakeet

Conuropsis carolinensis, the Carolina Parakeet, was the only parrot species indigenous to the Eastern United States. The Carolina parakeet was an incredibly social bird that would return to mourn dead members of the flock, making themselves easy targets for sport hunters. Considered a pest, popular in the pet trade, and bearing valuable plumes, this conure was hunted to extinction around the turn of the last century.

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