Conures are wonderful members of the parrot family with over 40 subspecies. They’re also relatively popular pets for many reasons. Conures have spectacular appearances with vividly colored feathers, and they’re very intelligent. They require plenty of care but it’s a very enriching experience if you can meet their needs.
Conures Make Good Pets for Bird Lovers
Conures are amongst the most popular pet bird species because it’s relatively easy to care for them. Despite this, they have very specific needs, so it’s best to do your research before getting one. It’s not very complicated to situate them in the right place and feed them the appropriate food. They’re great pets for apartments and smaller homes because they don’t take up much space.
Conures are also some of the best pet birds for children if you supervise them correctly. You can also form an emotional connection with your conure and even cuddle them!
Conures Need Space to Spread Their Wings
One of the most important aspects of caring for any bird is providing the right cage or enclosure. There must be enough space for them to fly and stretch their wings. We recommend a 20 x 20 x 30 inches cage as a minimum for a single green-cheeked conure. Different subspecies may have slightly different requirements. Bigger cages are always better and more ethical. Ensure the bars are close enough together that the bird can’t slip through. Three-fourths of an inch or less is the safest for your pet conure.
There should be several perches in the cage for your birds. They can flutter between them throughout the day instead of being stuck in the same position. Don’t place the perches above their water or food because they’ll defecate in them! You can also include toys like mirrors, swings, wooden chews, and dye-free paper to enrich your conures.
Feeding Conures Is Fairly Straightforward
The good news is that it’s easy to feed conures. Most owners provide them with commercial pellets that contain key nutrients. Conures, like other parrot species, need carbohydrates for energy and protein for growth. To provide an extra “boost”, provide them with chopped fruit and vegetables. These should make up to 20 percent of the conure’s diet.
Blueberries, sliced apples, carrots, and zucchini are great options. Remove seeds from apples and pears first because they are toxic to birds. Also, don’t give them avocados because this is also poisonous for conures. Ensure they have enough water and remember to replace it every day. Avoid giving them too many seeds because of their high fat content. They eat them in the wild for energy but don’t need them in captivity. Seeds are fine as an occasional treat!
Conures Are Social Pets
One of the trickiest aspects of keeping conures is meeting their emotional needs. Most experts recommend getting two conures because they are very sociable. It’s advisable to pair two females or a male and a female. Don’t get two males because they may be territorial and aggressive. Also, never mix two different conure species. Getting a pair is essential if you’re not going to be around all the time. Otherwise, the bird may become lonely and suffer stress. All parrots need attention, including conures!
Conures love company and activity around them. Situate their cage in a safe place where there’s plenty of human traffic. Living rooms and offices are great options if you spend plenty of time in them. Avoid kitchens, though, because the fumes from ovens could irritate your pets!
Conures Can Experience Some Health Problems
Conures live up to 20 years in captivity. However, they are susceptible to several health conditions, including:
- Pacheco’s disease. This is a type of herpes that causes liver and kidney infections. It disproportionately impacts New World parrots and cockatoos including some conure species. However, certain conures have more resistance against the disease. Pacheco’s disease has a very high mortality rate.
- Malnutrition/vitamin deficiencies. This is very common in conures that only eat all-seed diets. Seeds don’t provide enough nutrients for birds. It’s very avoidable if you care for your birds correctly.
- Polyomavirus/PBFD. This devastating disease attacks many of the bird’s organs at once. Younger birds are at the highest risk from polyomavirus. Members of the parrot family are very susceptible. The conure may show a range of symptoms for up to 48 hours before death.
Different Types of Conures
Here are some of the most popular types of pet conure:
- Green-cheeked conures are very cheeky with lots of personality. They’re one of the loudest pet birds, so they aren’t for everybody, but they love interacting with their owners. They can live for up to 30 years in captivity so they’re a great long-term pet.
- The blue-crowned conure is one of the most intelligent parrots. Owners love them because they can teach them a large vocabulary, so they’re one of the most popular pet bird species. They are also attractive birds with their green feathered bodies and blue caps.
- “Duskies” are one of the smaller members of the conure family. They are usually relatively quiet, but you’ll hear them when they’re excited! Dusky-headed conures aren’t as common as pets, however.
- Sun conures are medium-sized birds that are incredibly loud for their size. They grow up to 12 inches in length and have brilliant yellow-orange feathers. They make fantastic pets if you’re willing to do the work. Originally from Venezuela, they’re a striking species.
