This article delves into the fascinating world of Sun Conures, exploring their taxonomy, historical significance in aviculture, and breeding habits. Originally a rare and expensive species, the Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis) has become a popular choice for bird enthusiasts. This first part focuses on the early days of encountering these vibrant birds, the complexities of their classification, and their journey into domestic breeding.
The Allure of the Sun Conure
My first encounter with the Sun Conure in the 1970s was a vivid memory. Walking into a quarantine station, I was struck by the beauty of these birds, commanding a price of $800.00 per pair. Unlike the subdued taxonomic skins seen in museums, the live birds, with their stunning intermingling of green, yellow, red, and orange, were far more captivating. They were a species I had only previously encountered in scientific collections, and their vibrant presence was truly remarkable.
Taxonomic Debates and Subspecies
The classification of the Sun Conure has long been a subject of discussion among ornithologists. While some consider it a monotypic species, distinct from its close relatives like the Jenday, Golden-capped, and Sulphur-breasted Conures, others propose they form a complex grouping of closely allied species. I personally lean towards the subspecies theory, as these birds replace each other geographically and, in some instances, interbreed where their ranges converge. The ability to hybridize and produce fertile offspring strongly supports this view.
The Sulphur-breasted Conure, once common in Brazilian aviculture, presented a puzzle due to its less vibrant coloration compared to the typical Sun Conure. Conversations in the 1980s and 1990s with prominent aviculturist Nelson Kawall highlighted the need to breed Brazilian Sun Conures with birds from the Guianas to improve their color. The official naming of the Sulphur-breasted Conure in 2005 finally provided an explanation: it was a distinct, previously unrecognized form.
This discovery reinforced the subspecies concept. The Sulphur-breasted and Sun Conures hybridize in the southern Guianas, and similar hybridization occurs between the Jenday and Golden-capped Conures in their contact zones.
The Identity of Aratinga maculata
The taxonomic status of the Sun Conure and its allies has been a recurring debate. The Sulphur-breasted Conure serves as a prime example. Initially named maculata in 1776, it was later dismissed as invalid, with its coloration resembling that of immature Sun Conures. It wasn’t until 2005 that it was recognized as a distinct form, named Aratinga pintoi. Four years later, it was confirmed that maculata and pintoi were indeed the same species. As the first name takes precedence in taxonomy, the conure became known as Aratinga maculata. Originally believed to be confined to the Brazilian state of Pará, its range has since been extended to the Guianas, suggesting it may be more widespread than initially thought. Sightings of poorly colored birds north of Manaus, which I once believed to be immature Sun Conures, were likely this species, indicating a potentially broader distribution.
Distribution and Conservation Status
The Sun Conure’s natural habitat spans Roraima, Brazil, extending north to the southern Guianas and parts of Venezuela. Recent records place them in Santa Elena de Uairén. The exact extent of their range within Brazil remains poorly understood, and they appear to come into contact with the Sulphur-breasted Conure in several areas, which is the origin of the aforementioned hybrids.
Historically, the Sun Conure was considered locally common in the wild, with populations thinning towards the Brazilian range. However, its current status is believed to be declining, with possible extirpation in large parts of its territory. While the bird trade has been implicated, habitat changes should not be overlooked. Even with decades of no wild bird trading, populations have not shown signs of recovery, which is unusual for a species considered ostensibly prolific.
Nesting Behavior and Avicultural History
In their natural environment, Sun Conures inhabit open forests, savannas, palm groves, and seasonally flooded scrub, nesting in narrow tree cavities. I was surprised to find active nests in tree trunks no thicker than my thigh. One nest, approximately 17 inches deep, contained two chicks and remnants of two eggs. My own Sun Conures initially required a nest box measuring 20 cm (8 in) square and 45 cm (18 in) deep. Today, they readily accept nest boxes that are 30 cm (12 in) square and 35 cm (14 in) deep. Interestingly, they are one of only two species I keep that will not accept a metal nesting box, necessitating the use of plywood nests encased in wire enclosures to prevent chewing escapes.
Sun Conures were introduced to aviculture relatively recently. Madame de Kerville in France is credited with the first breeding in 1883. In the US, R. Schmidt claimed the first breeding in 1932. While the French breeding is credible, given the historical import of birds from French Guiana to France, the US breeding might have involved Jenday Conures, based on photographs I was shown.
The Sun Conure quickly became a highly sought-after addition to aviculture due to its striking beauty, captivating pet buyers. By the early 1990s, young birds were fetching between $700.00 and $1000.00 each in retail stores. Today, alongside the Green-cheeked Conure (Pyrrhura molinae), the Sun Conure is one of the most commonly bred and popular neo-tropical parakeets, with numerous collections housing hundreds of pairs to meet the demand for pets.
Title photo: (c) Daniel Ramirez. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
