Conures are a delightful and engaging species of parrot, making them a popular choice for both novice and experienced bird owners. These small to medium-sized birds are known for their active, intelligent, and playful personalities. This guide provides essential care information for various small conure species, including Maroon-belly, Dusky, Peach-front, and Green-cheeked conures. Conures thrive on interaction and require daily playtime outside their enclosure to encourage their natural behaviors like jumping, dancing, and climbing. However, it’s crucial to supervise them closely during these times to ensure their safety.
Understanding Conure Behavior
While generally social, conures may occasionally nip or bite, especially when feeling overstimulated, confused, or threatened. It’s important not to react with yelling or excessive attention, as this can reinforce the behavior. Instead, calmly place the bird in a safe area and disengage. This “time-out” method teaches them that biting does not garner attention. Observing your conure’s body language is key to preventing bites. Signs like pinned eyes, flared tail feathers, or lunging indicate a potential for biting. Although not typically known for extensive talking, conures are highly vocal. Green-cheeked conures tend to be quieter than other species, but they still express themselves through squawks, chatters, and chirps, which may not be suitable for noise-sensitive individuals.
Key Characteristics of Conures
| Care Difficulty | Intermediate |
|---|---|
| Average Lifespan | 20+ years with proper care |
| Average Adult Size | 9-12 inches (head to tail tip), species-dependent |
| Diet Type | Granivorous (grain-eaters) |
| Minimum Habitat Size | 24” W x 24” D x 30” H |
Essential Supplies for Conure Ownership
To ensure your conure remains happy and healthy, consider acquiring the following basic supplies:
- An appropriately sized habitat (minimum 24” W x 24” D x 30” H)
- High-quality pelleted conure food
- Millet spray (for treats)
- Various treats
- Habitat paper or litter
- Food and water dishes
- Perches
- Enrichment toys
- Grooming supplies
- A play gym
- UV light source
Providing the Right Habitat for Your Conure
Choosing the Ideal Enclosure
For a single conure of the Green-cheeked variety or a similar size, the habitat should measure at least 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 30 inches high. The spacing between cage bars should be no more than ¾ inch to prevent escape or entrapment of the bird’s head or legs. The enclosure must be spacious enough for the conure to fully stretch its wings and move around comfortably. Always opt for the largest habitat possible. It’s worth noting that some conure species may sleep on their backs on the enclosure floor, which is a normal behavior. Most commercially available conure habitats are made of stainless steel. Avoid homemade enclosures or those constructed with wood or galvanized wire, as these can pose risks. Critically, ensure no part of the habitat or toys are made with lead, zinc, lead-based paints, or other toxic metals, as ingestion can lead to severe health issues.
Setting Up the Habitat Environment
Conures are comfortable in typical household temperatures ranging from 65°F to 80°F. Be vigilant about sudden temperature fluctuations, as birds can be sensitive. Position the habitat in a well-lit, draft-free area away from other pets. Conures can live singly or with compatible conures in the same enclosure, but different species should never be housed together. Introduce multiple conures gradually and under supervision to ensure compatibility. Providing a variety of safe enrichment toys is crucial for mental and physical stimulation, helping to prevent detrimental habits like feather-plucking.
Bedding and Lighting Considerations
The habitat should feature a removable metal grate at the bottom to allow droppings to fall away from the bird’s feet. Line the tray beneath the grate with habitat paper or a paper-based bedding for easy cleaning and dust reduction. Birds require exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light to synthesize vitamin D, essential for calcium absorption. Standard glass windows filter out UV light, so simply placing the habitat near a window is insufficient. Outdoor time in an escape-proof cage provides natural UV exposure, but birds must never be left unsupervised outdoors or in direct sunlight. Alternatively, a full-spectrum UV light designed for birds can be used for 10-12 hours daily. It’s important to replace these lights every six months as their potency diminishes.
Decor and Accessories
Perches: Offer perches of varying sizes, heights, textures, and materials to promote foot exercise and prevent pressure sores. Perches should be approximately ½ inch in diameter; excessively wide perches can lead to grip issues and injuries. Suitable materials include concrete, wood, braided rope, and natural branches. Avoid sandpaper perches and covers, as they can be abrasive. Crucially, do not place perches directly above food or water bowls to prevent contamination from droppings.
Toys: Conures are highly intelligent and energetic, requiring a diverse range of enrichment toys and interaction with their owners. Engaging with toys not only strengthens the bond between bird and owner but also encourages physical activity, mitigating behavioral issues such as screaming and feather-plucking. Toys can be constructed from cardboard, paper, soft wood, or hard plastic that the bird cannot easily chew and ingest. Opt for toys with varied colors, shapes, and textures. Rotate toys regularly to maintain interest and ensure they are securely fastened within the habitat to prevent injury. Avoid toys with small, detachable parts that could be swallowed.
Water and Food Dishes: Provide separate dishes for dry food, fresh food, and water. If housing multiple conures, each bird should have its own feeding station to minimize competition. Water dishes should be sufficiently large for the conure to bathe in. Thoroughly wash and rinse all dishes daily to prevent bacterial growth.
Cleaning and Maintenance Routine
Daily spot cleaning of the conure’s habitat is essential, involving the removal of soiled material and old food. Food and water bowls must be washed daily. Replace substrate, bedding, and habitat liners at least weekly, or more frequently if multiple conures share the enclosure. When cleaning the habitat, use only pet-specific cleaning agents, as birds’ respiratory systems are sensitive to aerosolized fumes.
How to Thoroughly Clean a Conure’s Habitat
- Relocate the bird: Move your conure to a secure, separate location, such as another habitat or travel cage.
- Remove contents: Take out all old substrate, bedding, and accessories.
- Wash: Use a bird-specific cleaner or a 3% bleach solution to wash the habitat and accessories.
- Rinse: Rinse thoroughly with water, ensuring no cleaning agent residue or smell remains.
- Dry: Allow the habitat and its contents to dry completely.
- Reassemble: Place new substrate, bedding, and clean accessories back into the habitat.
- Return the bird: Safely return your conure to its clean environment.
Inspect perches, dishes, and toys regularly for wear and damage. Replace them as needed and introduce new toys one at a time to avoid stressing the bird, as they can be creatures of habit.
Conure Diet and Nutrition
A balanced diet for conures includes pelleted food, seeds, fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats. Always provide access to fresh, clean water. Never share human food with your conure, as our mouths harbor microorganisms that can be harmful to birds.
A nutritious diet for small conures should consist of:
- High-quality pelleted food: This should form the staple of the diet, making up 60-70%. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for serving size and discard uneaten pellets before each feeding.
- Vegetables and fruits: Offer a variety of vegetables (excluding onions and garlic) and fruits (avoiding avocados and fruit seeds/pits) in moderation.
- Treats and fortified seeds: These should constitute no more than 10% of the diet. Fortified seeds and millet can be given occasionally. Conures can hull seeds before eating, so grit supplements are not necessary for digestion. Discard uneaten fruits and vegetables within 10 hours to prevent spoilage.
- Fresh water: Ensure water is changed daily.
Avoid feeding conures chocolate, caffeine, or alcohol, as these are highly toxic. Steer clear of treats high in fat, sugar, or salt.
Grooming and General Care
Owners should avoid nonstick cookware and appliances (like Teflon™) due to the release of toxic PTFE fumes when heated, which can be fatal to pet birds.
Wing Clipping
Wing clipping is a procedure that temporarily prevents a bird from achieving lift for flight, allowing for a safe descent. This should only be performed by a trained professional, such as a veterinarian or experienced avian groomer, to avoid severe injury. Improper clipping can cause significant harm. Correctly trimming the outermost flight feathers can help prevent escape and potential injury. Consult an avian veterinarian before attempting any feather trimming. As feathers regrow, wing clipping needs to be repeated every few months.
Bathing
Ensure water dishes are large enough for bathing. If your conure doesn’t bathe regularly, gently mist it with warm water from a clean spray bottle a few times a week.
Nail Care
Nail trimming is typically needed every few weeks to months. This procedure should also be done by a trained professional to prevent injury. If bleeding occurs, styptic powder can be used to stop it quickly.
Most conures do not require beak trims, as daily use usually keeps them in good condition. Abnormal beak growth or deformities due to underlying health issues like liver disease or trauma must be addressed by an avian veterinarian.
Veterinary Care for Conures
Annual Check-ups
Conures should receive an annual veterinary examination. Transport them in a carrier or small travel cage, and provide your vet with photos of their home enclosure and supplies.
Signs of a Healthy Conure
- Clear, bright eyes
- Clean nostrils
- Symmetrical, intact beak
- Healthy, unbroken feathers
- Strong, equal grip in both feet
- Clean vent/cloaca
- Full, symmetrical wing movement
- Consistent droppings
When to Contact a Veterinarian
Seek veterinary attention if you observe:
- Eye or nasal discharge
- Overgrown beak or beak fractures
- Feather plucking, bleeding, or uneven feather growth
- Excessive itching
- Loss of grip, falling from perches, or foot sores
- Moist feathers around the cloaca or any discharge
- Runny, liquid, or abnormally colored droppings
- Limping, reluctance to use a limb or wing, or abnormal wing posture
- Loss of appetite or hiding behavior
- Lack of vocalization
- Constantly fluffed feathers
- Rapid breathing or head tilt
- Unexplained weight loss
Common Illnesses in Conures
Be aware of potential health issues such as Pacheco’s disease (herpesvirus), Polyoma virus, Proventricular Dilatation Disease/Wasting Syndrome, malnutrition (Vitamin A or D deficiencies), overgrown beaks, heavy metal or Teflon toxicosis, and cancer. Regular veterinary care and a proper diet are crucial for prevention and early detection.
