Conures: Small Parrots with Big Personalities
Of the various types of parrots that make good pets, Conures are among the most popular because of their friendly and curious nature. These chatty birds love to chew on branches and play with toys, and they also enjoy playing outside their cages. Puzzle toys and forage boxes (puzzle-based feeders) help provide the intellectual stimulation that Conures need daily.
Uncle Bill’s has Conures for sale, plus all the bird food and supplies you need to create a healthy and happy home for your pet. Inventory may vary by location, so please call ahead to ask about the availability of Conures.
Pet Conure Habitat
The appropriate cage size for Conures is 18” x 22” x 24" (or larger, depending on the size of the bird), with cage bar spacing of 5/8” to 3/4” (because these crafty birds can squeeze through small spaces). Cages should have a locking door and locking feeder dish doors, to prevent accidental escape.
Conures need a variety of toys, a water dish to play in, a hiding place, and plenty of perches at various heights. Keep Conure cages away from direct sunlight, heat sources, or drafts – Conures are most comfortable when the air temperature is between 65°F and 80°F. Cover the cage at night to ensure your pet knows it’s time to sleep.
Caring for Conures
Conures love lots of human interaction and can form strong bonds with their caretakers. They enjoy being outside their cages on a T-stand (a freestanding metal tray with a perch) or playing in a bird playpen.
Conures need fresh water daily, and they can easily learn to drink from a cage-mounted water bottle, which ensures their drinking water won’t be contaminated by food or droppings.
In addition to everyday bird food such as seeds and pellets, the Conure diet should include a variety of fruits and vegetables (except for avocado, which is toxic for birds). Whole grains – unsweetened fortified cereals, brown rice, cooked oats, and seeds – are essential for Conure nutrition. Salt, sugar, caffeine, chocolate, alcohol, and fatty or oily foods can be harmful for Conures, as can aerosol sprays and fumes from Teflon cookware.
Conure Facts
Conures are about 10 inches long when fully grown and live an average of 15 to 20 years, with proper care. There are several species of Conure, and the three that are the most popular pets are the Green-Cheeked, Yellow-Sided, and Sun.
Conures are crepuscular animals, which means they are most active at dawn and at dusk. That’s when they make the most sound, too. Their vocalizations are typically a mix of beeps and low chirps – like a melodic muttering – but they may learn to repeat human words.
If you see your pet Conure sleeping on its back or its side, don’t worry – that’s normal behavior, and it probably just means your bird is comfortable and happy!
Uncle Bill’s Pet Center employs a highly trained staff that can assist you in building an appropriate habitat for your new pet and answer your questions about proper pet care.
Ready to see our selection of Conures? Contact us to ask about availability.