Animal-World > Birds > Conures > Blue-crowned Conure

Blue-crowned ConureSharp-tailed Conure

Family: Psittacidae

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Aratinga acuticaudataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

     The Blue-crowned Conure, also referred to as the Sharp-tailed Conure is quite a character, as was demonstrated when this little bird became popularized by the movie "Pauli"!

     The Blue-crowned Conure is one of the most magnificent of the Aratinga conures. Not only is it beautiful, but is easily identified with it's attractive blue "crown".

        Though initially somewhat shy, the Blue-crowned conure is very intelligent and will become a very tame, loveable companion. They enjoy playing and can become very lively and active. Though they are generally a quieter bird than most of their Aratinga cousins, they can become rather loud and this should be taken into consideration when obtaining one as pet.

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

Scientific Name: Aratinga acuticaudata

Subspecies:

• Sharp-tailed Conure
  Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata
• Blue-crowned Conure
  Aratinga acuticaudata haemorrhous
• Aratinga acuticaudata neumanni

     Generally all three subspecies are referred to as the Blue-crowned Conure, though sometimes the name Sharp-tail Conure is applied specifically to the nominate species Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata which displays the most blue; while the name Blue-crowned Conure is used to describe the subspecies Aratinga acuticaudata haemorrhous that has less blue, restricted more to the forehead and the front part of the crown.

Distribution:      They are native to the central areas of South America from eastern Colombia and northern Venezuela south to Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. They inhabit the more arid regions of tropical zones living in thickets, grasslands, savannahs, and along the edge of forests.

Description:

Photo  © Animal-World

The whole head as well as the cheeks and ear coverts are blue, and sometimes there is a tinge of blue on the breast. They have a generally green plumage that is more yellowish underneath. The outer wings are a blue-brown going to a chestnut brown on the secondary outer feathers.
     The tail of the Blue-crowned Conure or "Sharp-tailed Conure" is long and tapered. This picture of a juvenile shows the beautiful maroons on the underside of the tail feathers.
     The central tail on a mature bird is green with the outer feathers being more brownish-red tipped with a golden-olive.
     The upper beak is horn colored with a gray tip and the lower mandible is grayish-black. They have a creamy white eye ring surrounding a yellow eye. The legs are pinkish brown.
     A younger bird will have less blue on its forehead and crown with no blue on its breast.

Size - Weight:      The Blue-crowned Conure or Sharp-tailed Conure will get up to 11 3/4" (37 cm), and weigh about 6.7 ozs (190g).

Care and feeding:      A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch.      In the wild the Blue-crowned Conure eats berries, fruits, seeds, and nuts. As a pet they will enjoy a variety of sprouts, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat.      See About Conures: Housing and About Conures: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:      They are sociable and live in small groups or sometimes in flocks up to about 100 birds. They love to play, and can be fairly destructive if not watched. They can also be rather loud though not nearly as noisy as some of their Aratinga cousins such as the Nanday, Sun, and Jenday Conures. They make a real fun, playful pet and are very popular.

Breeding/Reproduction:      In the wild these birds nest in tree hollows. They have been found easy to breed in captivity and so are commonly bred. They are not dimorphic so will need to be sexed either through a DNA sampling, surgically, or through a chromosomal analysis.      The hen will lay three eggs which are incubated for about 24 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 58 days.       See About Conures: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:      As with most Aratinga species this bird can be noisy, though it is quieter than some of the other poplar birds in this genus such as the Sun Conure, Jenday Conure, and Nanday Conure.      See About Conures: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:    This bird is generally available. They can usually be found at pet stores and reputable breeders.

Activities:   Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys.

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Latest Comments
I received a blue crown conure a few months ago as a gift and he is hilarious. His previous owners taught him many words, some as "colorful" as he. When we first got him, he would cry, and it would sound just like an infant. Not, eight months later, he laughs, though it isn't that often, and it sounds like an actual person laughing. it is hilarious. He sings, plays peek=a=boo, and gives kisses. Anonymous 2009-08-25
I bought a blue crown conure only two days ago and he is a hoot! I had been looking every where for the bird that was right for me. It first started when I saw a Sun Conure at a petsmart and I was wowed by how beautiful this bird was! It had been about a month since I started researching the conure and cockatoo species when I was contacted by a man who was selling his Blue Crown Conure. We talked about the conure for a while then I asked if I could swing by and take a look at the bird. It was love at first sight! I took him home that night and got him comfortable. I had two lovebirds before but I now absolutely love my Chewy! He is 6 yrs old and says "hello", "Whatyadoin?", "Pretty Bird", and whistles the Andy Griffith Show Theme song. He is sooo cute! When I walk into the room Chewy wolf whistles at me, I just want to snuggle with him all the time. I am now working on finding a companion for him, but I'm not sure if he has an aggression towards other birds. Chewy and Kylie kylie 2008-12-02
Our Blue Crowned Conure has only been with us for a couple of days but we already love him/her! Marley is a baby (14 weeks) and didn't even know how to step up a couple of days ago. He/She has learned how in only four days. Marley loves to cuddle and loves a neck massage. He is rather quiet and very playful. My kids 5 and 7 yrs old can pet and cuddle with Marley. He/She is vocalizing all the time and has learned how to say "Hello", and is making attempts at "Good morning", "Good night", and "step up". I am sooo happy we chose a Blue Headed Conure. jen 2008-10-02
I LOVE birds, and I always wanted a cockatoo, but after much research and constantly visiting a pet store, I quickly realized this was not the species for me. I spent months researching the "perfect" bird. I was looking for affection, strong bonding, funny factor, size, and least on the list was talking ability but a plus. It wasn't until I saw the true documentry, "The parrots of Telegraph Hill"--a real tear jerker, but it was there I became enamored with Conures, and especially the Blue Crown, because of the main star named Conner. After visting a local pet store, I was thrilled they were weaning a 7 week old baby Blue Crown. I visited her every day for a 7 weeks, waiting for her to finish weaning. We bonded, so strongly. It was hard to leave her daily and I couldn't wait to see her. She would be waiting for me everyday and soon as she spotted me she would make this cute crying noise until I would hold her. As soon as I would put her back, she would watch me leave and start her crying. She is the love of my life. Her vocabulary is unbelievable at 14 weeks she knows so much. She is glued to me, follows me everywhere. She loves to shower and must of all she loves to take naps with me, right under my neck. My little Nina (pronounced Neenya, Spanish for little girl) is my Cockatoo. She is everything I could have asked for, and she surpassed all my expectations. This is by far my FAVORITE species. Jaclyn 2008-08-31
My little Tiki has taken my heart for his own. He follows me around the house like a puppy and is so comical, never a dull moment. He loves to imitate my husbands arm movements, doing the same with his wings and yells, "MOMMA! MOMMA!" when he wants attention or is ready to come out of his cage early in the morning. (If too lazy to get the door open himself that is.) I couldn't imagine our life with out him. He's 5 months old, learns so quickly and his vocabulary consist of Step up, Daddy, Momma, Hello, Tiki Tired, Gimme Kiss, No, and making the kissing sound after saying gimme kiss or getting on your shoulder and leaning to your cheek. I love his bath time, the sounds he makes are hilarious. He doesn't know a stranger as my African Grey and Moluccan Cockatoo definitely do! He is also awesome with our 3 children! Michelle Powers 2008-02-29
Some of the coolest comments:
Popeye has been my friend and a member of our family for 30 years, I brought Popeye home in 1992 (Santa Cruz, Ca) he has been wonderful, colorful and sometimes protective often chasing my son around when he would play “hop on pop”. He has brought joy and amusement to adults and children as he played in the sand at Cowell’s Beach, besides the beach he loves riding in the car and the occasional ride on the bike. We found him a mate 15 years ago Olive Oil who is also a wonderful addition to our family. Conures are smart, loving, and loyal companions I wouldn’t change having them in my life. My son, nieces and nephews have developed a love and understanding for animals through interaction with these avian ambassadors Tony 2009-10-20
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
I would like to introduce our 15yr old Harold, who loves caravan holidays, and sitting outside with us just chillin. He is definately Mummy's boy, and gets a little jealous when dad wants a cuddle, but is usually won over with a treat. He likes to chase the cat, and joins us at barbeques, loves socialising at parties - guests not so keen to have him on their knee for some reason! (That's where he likes to sit, or on your chest with his head against your chin). Is happy to sit on your shoulder outside, and joins in when I play the guitar (not quite in tune with it though). He likes playing cards, but he cheats by marking them. He doesn't talk, but slurps his drinks (not taught by mum!), laughs, and clucks like a hen. He also does a fanfare and goes oh-oh. He likes a piece of the action - literally, and will sample anything you are trying to read, sew, fix. His favourite trick? Watch dad hoover the carpet, then throw his food around and look around with a satisfied expression. Is loved loads. Love the website, very informative, nice to hear of other conures and their owners! Anne-Marie 2006-04-16
Thank you for your website. It helped me decide to get my loving BCC named simone. He says hello, makes kissing noises, and mocks a couple of little noises when he hears someone else make them first because hes shy. He is a big part of my life and I dont know what I would do without him. Amber 2006-02-11
I don't have a conure yet, but I plan to get one. thank you sooo much for this site! it's really helped me in preparing myself for this bird type. I've learned a lot about them. I've wanted a blue-crowned conure since I was very little, and after seeing the movie "Paulie" I wanted one even more! Everyone I've talked to says they are very loving and lovely extrodinary birds. So thank you for all the info about these beautiful birds. Jenna 2005-10-18

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