Golden-capped Conure

Golden-fronted Conure, Golden-headed Conure

Family: PsittacidaeAratinga auricapilla aurifronsPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Golden-capped or Golden-headed Conure shown here is only about four months old!

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

Geographic Distribution Aratinga auricapilla aurifrons Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Genus: Aratinga Species: auricapilla aurifrons

Scientific name:Aratinga auricapilla

Subspecies:

• Golden-capped Conure
  Aratinga auricapilla auricapilla
• Golden-fronted Conure
  Aratinga auricapilla aurifrons

Distribution:    These birds are native to southeastern Brazil (Bahia).

Description:   The bird is mainly dark green with a front of the crown yellow or dark red. The back of the head and neck are a yellowish light green.

Size - Weight:    These birds get up to 11.8 inches (30 cm) and weigh 5.3 ozs. (150 g).

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. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, 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:    These birds make a very warm and friendly pet. Great for people of all ages.

Breeding/Reproduction:    These birds breed easily in captivity. A young hen usually only lays 2 eggs, and the clutch gets bigger as she ages. Eventually the hen will lay 3 to 5 eggs, which hatch in 25 days. The best breeding box is a deep nest box, 41" x 9"x 6.3".

Potential Problems:    As with many Aratinga species, Golden-capped Conures can be noisy, though not nearly as noisy as most Aratinga species.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:   This bird is generally available. Your best bet is to find one at a pet store or reputable breeder.

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

Lastest Animal Stories on Golden-capped Conure View all 10 Animal Stories on Golden-capped Conure Add Your Animal Story

Sherry - 2012-07-07 Hello I just wanted to introduce myself. I have just adopted a Golden Capped Conure and a question is all of a sudden she is attacking my son (22 years old) everytime he trys to pet or have her go to him he was going to him - but now won't ? Charlie Roche - 2012-07-07 Most likely the Gold Cap has decided that you are his/her mate and is attacking the competition.  Rather than your son trying to pick up or pet the Gold cap, have your son just be around him, talking, possible little piece of toast as a treat.  Make friends.  Usually the conure will 'allow' other members into the family and maybe just re aquaint your son to the Gold cap. Reply

Devin - 2003-08-12 I have a gold-capped conure. His name is chilly. He is very funny and loves to hang out with me. Chilly likes everyone but he doesnt care for them as much as me. Chilly likes to play with his toys and his mineral blocks. He tends to hate cudle bones though. chilly also likes to go under things such as blankets and my arm. I am glad to have him and I am hoping to get another conure. They are my favorit type of parrot. Dawn - 2010-09-16 I have two gold-capped conures that i am selling. please contact me. asmith5192000@gmail.com Reply

Toni Meyer - 2012-07-04 Hi I have a 2 year old I was told that it was a male. How can you tell if it's a male or female? Charlie Roche - 2012-07-04 The only 100% way to determine if it is a male or female is through DNA sexing.  You can purchase the DNA sexing kits in the back of the Bird Talk magazine in the classifieds.  A breeder would be able to tell you with about 75% accuracy whether it is a male or female by the shape of the head.  The males head is flatter and the females head is a smooth curve from the eyes up and over the top of the head to the neck.  The males head just looks flatter from the side.  Other than that, if it ever lays an egg - it is a female. Reply

Sandra - 2013-02-20 We have a pair of gold cap conures that have laid one egg this week. Last year the proven sexed female (the other we think is male) laid three eggs but they broke. Now while she is nesting on this egg she frequently chirps for long periods of time. Is this normal? Is this a sign she is sick? Should I be worried? Reply

Ramdhan Cindy - 2012-05-17 Hi my name is Cindy. I just got a 3 month old Golden -capped Conure as a mothers day gift. I been trying to bond with him. He won't let me touch him. Everytime I try he bites my finger. I try takin him out of his cage he won't budge. I left the door open he still wont come out. I don't know how to aproach him so am asking if anyone has any tips on how to train him. It will be greatly apreciated thank you. I need help. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-17 First you have to get him out of his cage but don't put your hand in the cage to get him out. Put his food and water outside the cage. You can pput millet or pieces of apple outside the cage. He will come out. Once he is out just talk to him, sing, laugh act nutty do whatever so he realizes you aren't scary or a threat. Eat with him - start feeding him with your hand something like cheerios. You now have him out of his cage and you can feed him with your hand --- here comes the hard part. Make a fist and see if he tries to bite the back of your hand. No way can a bird bite a tight fist - keep your thum down. Let him get used to doing this and realize it does not bother you but it doesn't hurt him either. At this stage you can try and just have him get up on your hand. You are relaxed as you realize he can't hurt you with the bite on your fist and he is relaxed cuz he realizes you aren't going to hurt him. If that works then you are home free. If you try this and stillnot comfortable or doesn't work then here's the really hard scary part -- just pick him up - just pick him up. If you think he is going to bite, put a towel over him and pick him up in the towel. Now hold him - he might be in a towel but just hold him. Uncover his little head and slowly pet the top of his head. Hold him close to your chest so he can hear your heart beating. This process could take a few weeks so go slow - real slow. It is more important that you learn the birds body language than it is for you to go fast. Reply

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