Animal-World > Birds > Conures > Green-cheeked Conure

Green-cheeked Conure

Yellow-sided Green-cheeked Conure

Family: PsittacidaePyrrhura molinaePhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   "Pooki" is just about four months old and he is so darn playful,... he can't wait to be let out of his cage!

   His new home is with a young girl who is "graduating" from cockatiels to a bit bigger bird. Both she and Pooki are very excited about getting to know each other and getting to play with each other!

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

Geographic Distribution Pyrrhura molinae Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific Name:Pyrrhura molinae

Subspecies:

• Green-cheeked Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae molinae
• Argentina Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae australis
• Santa Cruz Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae restricta
• Yellow-sided Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae hypoxantha
• Pyrrhura molinae sordida
• Pyrrhura molinae phoenicura

Distribution:
   These birds are native to Bolivia.

Description:
   The Green-cheeked has coloring very similar to the Maroon-bellied Conure, but can be distinguished by the reddish upper surface of its' tail feathers. It has a green body with blue primary flight feathers and a maroon tail. The scallop feathers on the chest and upper neck are fringed with white. There is purple on the belly and the beak and the ear covers are brown.

Size - Weight:
   These birds grow to a length of 10 1/2" (26.2 cm).

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 tame very easily and are very sociable. The Pyrrhuras are a quieter conure than the Aratinga species making them an easier pet to live with. However, they are not known to be great talkers. In the wild they are very sociable with other green-cheeks. Often they forage in groups and spend the night sleeping together.

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

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The sex of the Green-cheeked Conure is undeterminable by appearance, though an immature bird will have duller pulmage than the adult, darker irises, and less maroonish coloring on there abdomen. These birds reach sexual maturity around two years of age.    The hen will usually lay between four to six eggs, and the incubation period averages 22 - 25 days.The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. They are not too fussy about their nesting box but can use a box about 7" x 7".

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

Availability:  This bird is generally available.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Green-cheeked Conure View all 87 comments on Green-cheeked Conure Add Your Comment

order tramadol - 2012-01-31 so what do we do now? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-31 If you want just the one - then give the male to your friend. The Male Johnny I am sure will bond with a human companion. They will adjust. Try and look at it this way - they had a teen romance - now it's time to grow up, be companion, be loved, be fun and when they really grow up and it is time for them to Marry - say 20 years old or older - then they can think about it again. Reply

Negurj - 2012-01-22 I bought a young Green Cheek Conure in September 2008 for my partner which turned out to be a delightful little companion, naughty, inquisitive, not scared of and very curious about everything. Life and working pattern changed and a years later we bought a companion who was not well cared for. They took to each other, the new friend bloomed, learned tricks and became very very tame but unfortunately we found out a few month later that this unscrupulous person sold us a Johnny instead of a Jenny. We had no idea what to do and needless to say that eggs did not survive. It took the pair a few month to calm down and become regular pets again. However, they got frisky again this year and despite of removing the sleeping pouch they made eggs. Again, eggs did not hatch but we both can not stand another episode of becoming pseudo-grandparents....and here is my dilemma. Female bird is already back to her normal mischievous self, out of the cage causing mayhem but the male, usually hand tame and cuddly, this time around is inconsolable if she is not with him. When we leave both out he is chasing her and trying to hang onto her - wing, foot, neck, anything he can get hold of her. They are content in the cage and I know we are the problem but has anyone else dealt with this problem? A friend is ready to take the male but are we doing the right thing in separating them? Alternative is a bird sanctuary where he would be living in a flock...HEEEELP please, our hearts are aching by the thought of doing the wrong thing. Click For Replies (2) Clarice Brough - 2012-01-22 It sounds like you're not wanting to keep going through the breeding stage, where they become less social and may end up with babies. I understand the birds are content in their cage, but out of the cage the male is chasing and hanging on the female - wanting to keep close contact. It's a tough call to decide to separate them. It sounds like they have a good companionship with each other and birds have a very good memory. But most likely the they would adapt to being without a companion again. If you decide to separate them I think the birds would adapt, though it may take some time. Negurj - 2012-01-28 Thank you very much for the encouraging words, we have still not decided what to do but at least there is a silver lining. Amazing how two little birds can run your life.... Reply

nicholas - 2012-01-16 Hi one of my green cheek conures past away recently and the other has been acting strange lately. If i get a new mate will she adapt to the new mate or be aggresive to it she seems lonely and I would buy a new mate if it made her calmier Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2012-01-16 Conures are VERY VERY social beings and want companionship from their human or their flock. I am sorry that one died but yes the one that is left is mourning and looking for her companion. However, the one that is left will also be more protective of her cage waiting for her companion to come back. I would get another one and introduce them in neutral terriotry - not close to the cage. Let them get used to each other for a few hours on the living room floor or bed - porch whatever. Feed them and play with them both etc. Rearrange the old cage - just move toys around or add new toys. Move perches around and if possible even move the cages location. Let the new one go in first and get used to it whilke you give the older one some extra attention and then place the new one in the cage. They should be fine, 100% OK minus a little squabble but just let them play together and eat together on neutral territory till you see they get along. nicholas - 2012-01-16 Thank you for your help. I will get one as soon as possible does the age matter? The one I have I believe is a female Reply

carol curtis - 2012-01-01 I have a breeding pair of maroon bellied conures they have 5 eggs could you tell me will they throw the shells out when the young has hatched? Thanks. Click For Replies (3) Alex Burleson - 2012-01-01 As in the wild, birds usually remove egg shells from their nest. I would not recommend touching the chicks, or nest during the first several weeks after hatching, or before hatching. carol curtis - 2012-01-05 My pair of conures has chicks do I continue giving them the same amount of fruit while they are feeding their young or not so much,thank you for any information. Charlie Roche - 2012-01-05 I would let up on the fruit and do more scrambled eggs and leave the shells in while scrambing and add veggies. I would also do a little chicken/tunafish - mine loves tuna salad -- little more soft foods that are eaasy to eat and feed the babies and calcium and protein are important. Reply

Judy Weldon - 2011-12-02 I am looking for a green cheek for my grandsons Christmas gift. I have found a four month old female that stays in a cage with his brother and has become territorial. The lady says he bites when she goes in the cage to feed, etc. The male is not so. She says once she gets him out he is fine. Will he stop the territorial actions when isolated and spends time with a new owner? I don't want to give my grandsons a biter. Judy Click For Replies (3) Charlie Roche - 2011-12-02 A person can tame a conure but not fun and should have a lot of experience with parrots first. If the woman can't handle her own bird - there is no way a stranger is going to be able to. Yes, will probably tame down after a time. My concern is a breeder that hand fed babies would not leave two together at that age as bond to the other bird. She should be able to handle them with no problems at all and give them to others to hold and handle. She obviously can not do this. Another concern I have is the 4 month old. The only way that is possible is if they were born really late in breeding season. Real strange. Conures are born in the spring. So she can't handle her own supposedly hand fed bird. You really don't know how old these birds are. They are not going to be better behaved at a new home and it would take a lot of doing to tame them - otherwise she would be able to handle them. A conure is a super super great pet for a young person. They are family orientated, love playing, they are like velcro to your shirt, affectionate and just a clown. However, I would wait until spring and new babies are born and I think I would not buy from this woman. You want a hand fed baby that your grandson can hold and give kisses to and will play in his lap when you purchase it. Judy - 2011-12-02 Thanks, Charlie. I just talked with the lady and she is not sure of age and says she has papers where she got them from the breeder. She says the male bird is very laid back and easy and the female has just started becoming territorial. The vet said the conure was healthy and probably is displaying jealousy and/or a protective attitude. Once the female is out of the cage she is fine and easy to handle. I am going to see them this evening. You sound very knowledgeable and I appreciate any tips you may have. I have a green cheek that I purchased as a 4 month old approximately 9 years ago and she is a great bird. Thanks again, Judy Charlie Roche - 2011-12-02 OK you know the personality of a conure and how friendly, outgoing and velcro they are. Expressive etc. I don't have any idea how old these conures are - but it just makes no sense to me that at 4 or even 8 months or a year - a person wouldn't be able to just pick these guys up and hold them. With a conure, it is more you have to get them off you but they are so affectionate. Good luck. Reply

Baby78 - 2011-08-18 Hi. I will be purchasing two green cheek conures and will house them together. I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the minimum size cage requirements are. Would a cage size of 18 by 18 with an inside height of 29 be convenient for two green cheek conures? I have read that the ideal size for two green cheek conures would be 24 by 24 but I am trying to avoid having a cage of that size inside my home. Click For Replies (5) Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18 Sorry, that would be way too small. I would suggest at a minimum 21/2 by 3 feet by 6 feet. They play a lot and need toys, they need stimulation and human interaction. They need activity and again stimulation or you are into big time feather plucking. If they are going to be in their cage a lot, then you need an even larger cage or think of a flight. My cage is 3 x 4 by 6 for one with a play top and his own perch. harry - 2011-09-09 I would say that a 18 by 18 is a bit small for one conure. As it all comes down to how often you get the birds out. I have have a rather large cage for my bird but he is hardly ever in it as he is always on me. I think you should go for a 24 by 24 at the smallest. But if the birds are out of the cage alot a cage of 18 by 18 is just about ok. But remeber evan if the birds are'nt in the cage that often have toys in there for them to enjoy the short time there in the cage!!!!!! Hope you enjoy bird keping as much as I do, harry Toby Jungle - 2011-09-09 No that is too small - sorry. A cage should be at least large enough for their wings to be extended fully. That would a minimum requirement of 2 feet. They should have more than one perch and they are about 12 inches in length - so there is 3 feet high. You would also, I think want a concrete perch at the top of the cage so his nails and beak are filed so now we are at a 2 X 2 X 3 two feet wide by 2 feet deep and 3 feet high - minimum for one conure. I'd go at least 2 X 3 X 4 for two. Two perches (not doll rods) plus concrete perch as the highest perch. Conures are not big but they are active and they need room to play. They needs toys and they need fun. They need their humans and they need to be included in the family. They love their humans and see them as their own personal flock. Enjoy them. betty - 2011-09-21 First off make sure that the birds getting along with each other and if they are boy and girl, make sure they are not brother and sisters. And that is way to small for just one bird. You will need alot bigger cage aleast 24x24, the bigger the better. And they will need alot of toys and vegs and good seed everyday. And time with the family and not left in a room away from the family. These birds need human to be around. Darin - 2011-11-23 Dear Baby78, That size cage would be acceptable for just one Green Cheek with lots of time out of the cage, but you'll need more room for two birds. May have to move up to at least 24 inches. Reply

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