Dusky Conure

“Duster bug” is a cute litte 5 months old Dusty Conure or Weddell’s Conure… and a real character!

Dusky Conures are very popular pets because of their quiet, friendly, and easy going disposition. “Duster Bug” was handfed and likes the company of people very much. He loves to be held and played with. He has proven to be a very good escape artist. He climbs out of his own cage and climbs in other cages to visit his friends! Although “Duster Bug” doesn’t talk yet, most Dusky Conures will learn to say a few words.

For more information about the care of Conures see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Conure

Scientific Name:

Aratinga weddellii

Distribution:

   Originates from western South America. They populate water courses in the Amazon basin and the tropical woodlands on the eastern edge of the Andes mountains.

Description:

   Also known as the Weddell’s Conure, the Dusky Conure belongs to the parrot family. It has a green body and a gray-brown head. The tips of the feathers on the top of the head have a bluish cast, the legs are gray. They grow to about 11 inches. Younger birds are duller in color and their belly is green turning more yellow as they age. The ends of the primaries and tail feathers are blue.

Size – Weight:

   Mature birds are about 11 inches long and weigh 4.1 ounces.

Care and feeding:

  The Dusky’s main diet should primarily be nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. A commercially prepared pelleted diet can also be beneficial.

   See About Conures: Housing and About Conures: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:

   Wild conures are friendly and peaceful. They live together in groups of 20 or more birds and seldom fight with each other.

Breeding/Reproduction:

   Dusky conures breed early in the year. They lay three to four eggs which are incubated for 24 days. Once hatched the young will stay in the nest for about 55 days. Many females will only take an egg food while they have young in the nest.

Potential Problems:

  This bird is not nearly as noisy as most Aratinga species.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:

 Readily available.

Activities:

  Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys.

Featured Image Credit: bluepaints, Pixabay