The Blue-crowned Conure gained popularity after starring in the 1998 movie “Paulie.” Not many birds can boast a successful silver screen appearance. If you are a fan of intelligent birds, then look no further than this beautiful and intelligent parakeet.
The Blue-crowned Conure, or Blue-crowned Parakeet, is known to be one of the most intelligent species of bird. It has some of the best verbal skills of all the conures. It originally hails from South America and has the bravado to boot. Its bright green, eye-catching color is only broken up by an iridescent shade of blue starting at the crown of its head and extending to cover most of the head and face. This coloration gives the Blue-crowned Conureits fitting name.
In this article, we bring you 15 fun facts about this talkative bird. So if you are interested in owning one as a pet, are a passionate bird enthusiast, or just like learning new facts about cool animals, read on for some mind-tickling information.
Fact 1: The Blue-crowned Conure Goes By Another Name, As Well
The blue-tinged head of this parakeet isn’t the only part of their appearance that affects its name. The long, pointy tail of this bird also lends itself to the name, “Sharp-Tailed Conures.”
All of these distinctive features, mixed with its celebrity movie appearance, make this bird very recognizable among bird experts and amateurs alike.
Fact 2: This Bird Loves, and Needs, Attention
Like many similar intelligent bird species, the Blue-crowned Conure requires a lot of social interaction. Although its high level of intelligence lends it remarkable language skills, it also makes it so that this bird becomes bored easily.
If kept as a pet, you should not leave it locked in a cage all day. It should have some daily social interaction, whether with humans or fellow birds. Luckily, the Blue-crowned Conure is a species that gets along well with many other birds.
Fact 3: The Blue-crowned Conure Can be a Buisance to Neighbors
This bird likes to use its language skills often and loudly. Although compared to its parrot cousins Conures do not talk as much, they do like to exercise their vocal muscles, and the Blue-crowned Conure is no different.
This species of Conure is known for being just as talkative as the rest and can be rather noisy, especially if not kept preoccupied with toys, activities, or social interaction. Pay attention to the thickness of your walls and the proximity of your neighbors if you keep one of these birds as a pet.
Fact 4: The Blue-crowned Conure Makes a Great Pet
This bird’s temperament is that of a playful, social, and affectionate companion. Its need for interaction and proclivity for playing make it an entertaining pet to have.
If you own one of these birds and can live with the occasional ruckus, you will be well pleased.
Fact 5: They Have a Range of Habitats
As mentioned before, the Blue-crowned Conure hails from South America. Their native habitat ranges from Brazil to Argentina, in environments such as the savannah, the jungle, the grasslands, and the outskirts of woodlands.
Unfortunately, this bird’s habitat is being destroyed at a rapid pace. However, a small saving grace is their film fame. Because of this bird’s appearance in the hit movie “Paulie,” bird enthusiasts have gained a liking to owning these birds as pets, giving them a place to live.
Fact 6: These Birds Can Be Lifelong Companions
As pets, the Blue-crowned Conure can live 30 years, on average. Some have even been recorded as living as long as 40 years and beyond.
If you make the purchase (a Blue-crowned Conure will typically cost you USD 800) be prepared to care for and enjoy the company of this beautiful and intelligent bird for a large part of your life.
Fact 7: Blue-crowned Conures Love to Be Social
These birds love to interact and play with their owner and other birds. When living in the wild, as well, they are social butterflies.
In their natural habitat, the Blue-crowned Conure will live in flocks of up to 100 individuals. Imagine the sight of these vividly colored birds soaring through the sky. Imagine the noise.
Fact 8: Feathers are Important to Them
The Blue-crowned Conure derives its name from the coloration of its feathers. The long tail feathers also give them their alternative name of “Sharp-Tailed Conures.”
They also serve a functional purpose. When they feel threatened, the Blue-crowned Conure will puff out its feathers to look bigger and scare away any potential predators. Though humans are its biggest threats, rats also pose a danger to these birds.
Fact 9: Their Size Gave Them Their Scientific Name
Aratinga is the scientific specification of the Blue-crowned Conure. “Ara” comes from the family classification of macaws. “Tinga” means smaller, thus giving this bird the scientific name of “smaller macaw.”
When looking at a Blue-crowned Conure, you can see the resemblance between them and macaws, the only difference being the smaller size of the conure.
Fact 10: The Blue-crowned Conure is Actually the Subdued Part of the Conure Family
Compared to its Conure brothers and sisters, the Blue-crowned Conure sports less colorful flowers, especially when compared to the vividly colored Sun Conure. It even talks a bit less when compared to other Conures.
This can be good if considering keeping one as a pet. However, they still do talk and when they do, can be rather loud.
Fact 11: Feathers Can be a Sign of This Birds Health
Many common ailments that affect the Blue-crowned Conure are accompanied by feather picking or loss. If you witness this behavior in your bird, take it for a check-up immediately.
If no health conditions are found, your pet may be exhibiting signs of boredom or lack of social stimulation. Be sure to interact with them enough or at least give them toys to entertain themselves with.
Fact 12: The Blue-crowned Conure is Considered an Endangered Species
The destruction of this bird’s natural habitat in South America has left many of them homeless. The human impact on their land as well as the desire to own them as pets takes a vast majority of these birds away from their homes.
Owning one of these birds a pet can be a double-edged sword. Some of these birds may have been taken unwillingly from their land to be sold in the pet trade. However, there are bird sanctuaries and relief agencies that have rescued these birds and sell them to responsible owners as pets to ensure their safety and well-being.
Fact 13: They Say the Eyes are a Window to the Soul
Although you might not be able to gaze into the soul of your Blue-crowned Conure, if you look in their eyes you will notice a feature distinct to this bird.
All Blue-crowned Conures have a ring of white around their eyes. This unique feature sets Blue-crowned Conures apart from other bird species.
Fact 14: Blue-crowned Conures Enjoy a Vegetarian Diet
This bird, along with its Conure brothers and sisters, eats mostly seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables that they can find in their natural habitat.
If kept as a pet, they are happy to eat parrot pellet food, though many enjoy the occasional treat of peanuts or tropical fruits.
You should avoid feeding your Blue-crowned Conure avocado, chocolate, or any food containing caffeine or high levels of sugar. These foods can prove to be toxic to your bird and case health and digestive issues.
Fact 15: Blue-crowned Conures Call Each Other Names
Don’t worry, they’re not mean names. At least we assume so. Blue-crowned Conures have been discovered to have a more complex system of language and communication in their flocks than previously thought.
These birds can easily mimic the call of any other bird in their flock, effectively using that to call that bird’s name. Researchers also think that communication might be a way Blue-crowned Conures decide who can join and who to kick out of their flock.
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