If you’re a bird lover, you may be familiar with the conure species. Conures are a popular choice for pet birds due to their playful and affectionate nature. There are around 40 different types of conures, each with their unique physical and behavioral characteristics.
In this post, we’ll explore 11 different types of conures and what makes each one unique. We’ll cover their physical characteristics, temperament, and care requirements, so you can make the right decision about which type of conure is right for you.
Whether you’re a first-time bird owner or a seasoned pro, there’s a conure that’s just the right fit for you.
Black Capped Conure
If you are looking for a small and colorful parrot, the Black Capped Conure can be a great option for you.
These birds are native to the southwestern part of the Amazon Basin, the Andean slopes of Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil. They are also known as the Rock Conure among breeders worldwide.
Appearance
The Black Capped Conure has a predominantly green body with a black cap on its head, which extends down to the eyes. It has a reddish-brown patch on its belly, and its wings and tail feathers are blue. They are small to medium-sized birds, typically measuring between 10 and 11 inches long.
Personality
They are social birds and enjoy spending time with their owners. They are also intelligent and can be trained to perform tricks and mimic sounds. Yet, they can be noisy at times, so they may not be ideal for apartment living.
Care
If you decide to get a Black Capped Conure, provide them with a spacious cage that allows them to move around freely. They also need a variety of toys to keep them mentally stimulated. Their diet should be a balanced blend of seeds, fruits, and vegetables.
Black Capped Conures are generally hardy birds. They can be prone to certain health problems, including psittacosis, feather picking, and fatty liver disease. Take your bird to a veterinarian regularly for checkups.
Blue Crown Conure
The Blue Crown Conure, also known as the Sharp Tailed Conure, is a popular pet bird due to its intelligence, playful nature, and striking appearance.
Appearance
Blue Crown Conures are primarily green, with a blue head and a pink or rusty-colored tail. These birds possess a moderately sized structure, with an average length of about 14 inches from beak to tail.
Personality
They crave attention and interaction, whether it comes from their human family or a bird friend. They are intelligent birds and can learn tricks and mimic sounds with proper training.
Care
Blue Crown Conures require a spacious cage with plenty of toys and perches to keep them entertained. They need a balanced diet of pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Regular vet checkups are recommended to ensure your bird’s health.
Training
Training your Blue Crown Conure can be a fun and rewarding experience. Positive reinforcement techniques, such as clicker training, can be effective in teaching your bird new behaviors and tricks.
Noise Level
Blue Crown Conures are known to be loud birds, especially when they are excited or want attention. If you live in an apartment or have close neighbors, consider the noise level of your bird before bringing one home.
Lifespan
Blue Crown Conures can live up to 30 years in captivity with proper care. Be prepared for the long-term commitment of caring for a bird before bringing one into your home.
Dusky Conure
If you are looking for a smaller and quieter conure, the Dusky Conure may be the right choice for you. These birds originate from the Western Amazon Basin, inhabit countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Dusky Conures are known for their calm and gentle personalities, making them great pets for families with children or those who live in apartments. They are also less noisy than other conure species, but still very energetic and playful.
Dusky Conures have a dark grey head, green body, and blue flight feathers. They are medium-sized birds, usually reaching up to 12 inches long and weighing around 5 ounces.
Dusky Conures have similar needs to other conure species. They require a spacious cage with plenty of toys and perches to keep them entertained. A nutritious diet consisting of high-quality pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables.
Golden Conure
The Golden Conure, also known as the Queen of Bavaria Conure, is a beautiful bird. With its vibrant yellow plumage and intelligent, affectionate personality, it is a popular choice among pet owners.
Appearance
The Golden Conure is large, reaching up to 14 inches in length and weighing around 8 ounces. Its feathers are predominantly yellow, with some green on the wings and tail. Its eyes are dark brown, while its beak is black.
Behavior
They love to interact with their owners and are easily trained to perform tricks. They are also very social and thrive in a household with other birds or pets.
Care
They require ample physical exercise and mental stimulation, so provide them with plenty of toys and playtime.
Golden Conures are also prone to feather plucking, which provide them with a stress-free environment. This means avoiding loud noises, sudden movements, and any other sources of stress that could trigger them to pluck their feathers.
Lifespan
Golden Conures have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.
Green Conure
The Green Conure, also known as the Green-Cheeked Conure.
Appearance: The Green Conure is a small parrot that reaches around 10 inches long and weighs about two to three ounces. This bird features a vibrant green coloring on its back and wings, complemented by a red tail and chest. Its cheeks are uniquely tinted with a striking red shade, a characteristic that inspired its name.
Personality: They are social birds that enjoy interacting with their owners, and they can learn to mimic words and sounds with some training. They are also active and energetic, so they need plenty of space to play and exercise.
Care: You should provide it with plenty of toys and perches to keep it entertained and stimulated. Green Conures are relatively easy to care for, but they do require regular attention and interaction from their owners.
Lifespan: Green Conures have a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years in captivity.
Jenday Conure
If you’re looking for a medium-sized conure with a lot of personality, the Jenday Conure is a great choice.
Appearance: Jenday Conures are known for their striking colors, which include bright yellow, orange, red, and green. They have a red belly and a yellow head with orange and red markings around the eyes. The wings and tail feathers are green, blue, and yellow, with red and orange accents.
Personality: Jenday Conures are social, playful, and affectionate birds that love to interact with their owners. They are known for outgoing and curious nature, and they enjoy exploring their surroundings. Jenday Conures are also very vocal birds, and they love to make a lot of noise.
Diet: Like all conures, Jendays need a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein sources. They also enjoy nuts and seeds as treats. Provide your Jenday with fresh food and water every day, and clean their food and water dishes regularly.
Care: Jenday Conures need a cage that is large enough for them to move around in and play. They need plenty of toys and perches to keep them entertained. Regular exercise and socialization are important for Jendays, so be sure to spend time with your bird every day.
Nanday Conure
The Nanday Conure is a medium-sized bird that is native to various regions of South America. They are known for their unique color markings.
Appearance: The Nanday Conure is mostly green in color, except for its head, which is black. The bird possesses a moderately-sized body, with an approximate length of about 12 inches.
Personality: Nanday Conures are known to be very social birds and require lots of attention and patience. Their high level of vocalization and potential for creating significant noise may make them less suitable for life in an apartment setting.
Diet: In the wild, Nanday Conures primarily feed on seeds, fruits, and nuts. In captivity, it’s recommended to feed them fresh fruits and vegetables, along with a premium pellet diet.
Lifespan: Nanday Conures can live for 20-plus years.
Care: Nanday Conures require a spacious cage with plenty of toys and perches to keep them entertained. They also need regular socialization and interaction with their owners to prevent boredom and loneliness.
Patagonian Conure
The Patagonian Conure, also known as the Burrowing Parrot, is a beautiful bird that is native to Argentina and Chile. It is the largest species of conure, measuring up to 20 inches from beak to tail.
Appearance
The body of the Patagonian Conure is a dark olive green-brown color with a grey breast. It has an orange-red belly patch outlined in yellow, and red legs. The bird has a distinctive white eye ring and white breast marking, making it easy to identify.
Personality
Patagonian Conures are known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are social birds and love to interact with their owners. They are also very intelligent and can be trained to do tricks.
Care
You need to provide them with a spacious cage that is at least 36 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 36 inches tall. They need plenty of toys to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated.
Health
Patagonian Conures are generally healthy birds, but they can be prone to certain health issues, such as respiratory infections and psittacosis.
Pineapple Conure
This type of conure is a variation of the Green Cheek Conure that resulted from a mutation of Cinnamon and Yellow-sided Conure.
Physical Appearance
Pineapple Conures have a small size, typically between 10 and 12 inches in length. They have a tan-colored head, yellow sides, and lime-green back feathers. The chest has a mixture of bright red and yellow feathers, which gives them a distinct pineapple-like appearance. Their lower beak appears reddish-orange, with a hint of red above the cere.
Personality and Behavior
Like all conures, Pineapple Conures can be noisy at times. They are active and require plenty of exercise and stimulation to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. Providing them with toys, perches, and social interaction can help keep them happy and healthy.
Care and Maintenance
Pineapple Conures require a balanced diet that includes pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds. They also need a clean and spacious cage with plenty of toys, perches, and a bird bath. Regular grooming, including wing clipping and nail trimming, is also necessary to maintain their health and hygiene.
Sun Conure
With its vibrant yellow, orange, and red plumage, the Sun Conure is a striking bird that is sure to catch your eye.
Appearance
The Sun Conure is a medium-sized parrot, measuring about 12 inches in length. Its feathers are predominantly golden-yellow, with orange-flushed underparts and face, and green and blue wings. The bird features a black beak, with its eyes exhibiting a deep brown hue.
Personality
They are intelligent and can learn a variety of tricks and behaviors.
Lifespan
In captivity, Sun Conures can live for 15 to 30 years. They are prone to several health issues, such as feather plucking and respiratory infections.
Red-Masked Conure
The Red-Masked Conure, also known as the Cherry-Headed Conure, is a medium-sized parrot that is native to South America.
Appearance
The Red-Masked Conure is a medium-sized parrot, measuring around 30 cm (12 in) in length. Its body is mostly green, with a bright red face and forehead. The wings are a darker green, and the tail feathers are blue. The beak is black and the eyes are dark brown. The Red-Masked Conure has strong legs and feet, which it uses to climb and play.
Personality
The Red-Masked Conure is a social and outgoing bird that loves attention. It is known for its playful and clownish behavior, and its ability to learn tricks and mimic sounds.
This bird is very intelligent and can be trained to do a variety of things, such as retrieving objects and performing simple tasks.
Care
The Red-Masked Conure requires a spacious cage that is at least 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. The cage should be equipped with perches, toys, and a variety of food and water dishes.
Lifespan
The Red-Masked Conure has a lifespan of around 25 to 30 years in captivity.
Which Conure Is The Best Talker?
The larger conures like the Blue-Crowned Conure and the Green-Cheeked Conure tend to have a better talking ability than the smaller ones.
What Is The Rarest Type Of Conure?
The Golden Conure (Guaruba guarouba) is often considered the rarest.
In fact, the Golden Conure is listed as a CITES Appendix I species, which means that it is protected by international law and trade of this bird is strictly regulated. This makes it very difficult to find Golden Conures in the pet trade, and they are often very expensive.
