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Sun Conure: Parrot Species Profile 2023

Sun Conure

Species Overview

Also Known As: Sun Parakeet

Scientific Name: Aratinga solstitialis

Adult Size: 11.8 inches

Life Expectancy: 15-25 years

Is The Sun Conure a good pet?

PROS
  • Affectionate, cuddly, deeply loyal
  • Fun loving
  • Can learn tricks and mimic sounds
  • Vibrant, beautiful colored plumage
CONS
  • They can be loud so are not ideal for close neighbor living
  • Can get nippy, especially towards young children if they’re provoked
  • They’re not known to be able to talk
  • They need to spend a lot of time socializing with their owner

General Information

If you like wonderfully bright colors, the Sun Conure will leave you in awe. The stupendous mixture of fiery yellow and orange are accented perfectly by splashes of blue and green on this gorgeous bird. This bird is, without a doubt, one of the most eye catching birds in captivity. The male and female have no outer physical differences except that there is a bit more green plumage on the female than on the male. Both have color template involving green, blue, yellow, and red. The green and blue coloring is mostly on the tail and wing area. Most of the body and head is covered in a brilliant orange and yellow. The beak is a nicely contrasting black.


A good way to know if the bird is less then a year old is to take a look at the amount of green feathering. Juveniles have almost no yellow and orange as a defense mechanism in the wild. Less bright color means the young birds will not attract attention. Attracting attention is bad when one is young and clumsy in a world full of predators. The mature feathers slowly appear after about 6 months of age and continue to come in until the bird is about one year old. At full length, both males and females reach about 12 inches from head to tip of the tail.


The Sun Conure is native to Northeastern South America. They live in flocks of around 30 birds. That being said, no wonder they are so loud! They have to have shrill voices to be heard in their big “families”. All jokes aside, this bird really is a loud one. They have high pitched “birdy” voices and, though they can talk, won’t have the distinct human-like sounds as some of the talking champs, such as the African Grey. They love to use their voices, as most birds do, in the early morning when they wake up and late evening when they are ready for bed. These are normal times for “I’m happy to be alive” type bird sounds. When a bird starts incessantly screaming all day is when you know there is a big problem that needs addressing. These type of birds are good for people that don’t feel that a bit of noise is a big deal

What food do they eat?

Like most birds, a good pellet is the best way to go. Treats, of course, are very much appreciated. They are a great way to include variety in your bird’s diet and a superb way to add some fun. A mixture of fruits, veggies, and nuts can be given. Sprouts are an excellent way to add loads of nutrients. Find out what your particular bird loves. Every bird (and every person!) has their favorite food.

Price

They can be rescued, adopted, or purchased at verified organizations or adoption websites like Petfinder. Pricing is around $800 from breeders. If you want to choose a breeder, make sure that the breeder is reputable by asking them how long they’ve been breeding and working with Conures. Ask for a tour, but don’t be alarmed if you are unable to tour the facilities in which they keep the birds. Many reputable breeders opt to work under closed aviaries, which prevents diseases from infecting the flock.

How big is the Sun Conure?

Sun conures are considered medium-sized compared to their parrot ‘cousins’. An adult sun conure weighs between 3.5 and 4.5 ounces. They average 11.8 inches in length, with a wingspan of around 6 inches. Conures need lots of climbing room. The Cage should be at least 24 x 22 although largest is always best with any parrot and 5/8 inch bar spacing is recommended.

Temperament

The sun conure is smart, interactive, and easily trained. In general, it is a very affectionate and cuddly bird that is gentle to all members of the family as long as it’s treated well. If provoked the bird can turn aggressive so be sure to teach your young ones to treat the bird with the dignity and respect it deserves. The Sun conure can go through a biting stage, but this can be changed with proper training and care through the lifetime of the bird. They are naturally playful and affectionate when they get the attention they need, which makes them perfect for someone looking for a long lasting companion.

Common Diseases

– Psittacosis

– Aspergillosis (caused by a fungus)

– Malnutrition (often caused by seed-only diets)

– Feather picking

– Conure Bleeding syndrome (cause is unknown)

10 Things you need to know about Sun Conures

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