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

Green-cheeked Conure

Pyrrhura molinae Family: Psittacidae

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Pyrrhura molinae Photo © 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

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.

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Latest Comments
My husband and I adopted a YSC from his aunt and uncle a little over a year ago. He is a real attention-beggar - he loves making chirping or "quacking" noises to get attention, and if we happen to leave his door open overnight, he will even waddle into our bedroom and onto our bed to wake us up! He's also got his nighttime habits - if the lights are turned off, he will either go to his little fur-house in his cage, or if he isn't around his cage, he will snuggle against one of us to nap. One of the funniest things about him, though, is his palate. He loves breading from fried chicken and vanilla ice cream, among other things. He gets EXTREMELY pushy if he sees any of these things being eaten in his presence. Oh, and he loves trying to sing to techno music. Diana 2009-06-03
I have a gorgeous GCC that is now about just under a year old. He's become the whole families favourite pet. Whenever you walk past his cage he bobs up and down and tries desperately to try and fly to you even tho he can't lol. He dances to whistling and makes a variety of sounds, he loves it when we take him outside and he can listen to the bell birds in the wild. He has grown very attached to the women in our family and 'defends' them from anyone coming too close by, puffing up his chest. He loves to help out with household chores, e.g. sitting down your top with his head poking out while you are ironing or doing the dishes. He loves to have a snuggle with my mum and our cat when night time comes around, the cat is like his idol, he worships him! He makes little cooing noises when he's falling asleep and will gladly sleep on anyone. He enjoys sitting at the door of his cage and throwing corn out onto the floor and LOVEs eating twisties (well not so much eating but chewing into tiny crumbs) He's the light of our lives! Amy 2009-04-08
I have a 2year old sun conure called Chucky. He is ectremely cute. His wings are unclipped so he flies around in the house and can be quite a pest sometimes. He helps himself to food on the table and often fiddles with the buttons on the television set. He once managed to up the volume so loud that he and Koko, the african grey, got a big fright from the noise. He likes to sleep under my duaghter's clothes and get's annoyed when disturbed. My son oftens teases him, therefore he is the only one that gets bit. Anyone eating chips is his buddy because that's his ultimate favourite. Ridewaan 2009-03-30
I have a GCC, called Fife, now for about 2years and I'm only 13years old. She is wonderful, She has grown very attached to me, and she can't stand to be with anyone else. She hates it when I beat box, and she sings and dance along with the music I play. She likes going up my sleeve, when she was about a month old, and that has expanded to be being down my top. Any loud noises, she will also make her fair share of loud noises. She gives lots of Kisses and snuggles up with you. She flys after me too. Though of course there are the bad bits; She bites very hard if she get angry (but we need to clip her beak), she is loud, and she always wants to be with you. If you can't be with them everyday, place a carboard box in her cage of some sort and that will keep them busy. I have heard that they go through their terrible twos, so I am waiting for that. But if you can ignore those bad bits, then she is the best bird that you could ever have. My family had cockatoos, Cockatiels, budgies and a few chicks, but this bird beats all of them. Annie 2009-03-14
I bought a GC Conure on 1-30-09 from a pet store and in her cage she was being such a clown. So as you might say, she won my heart. She was really timid at frist but once I had her wings clipped she warmed up to me quick. She loves to ride on my shoulder and on top of my head. She is only 7 months old and I named her Baby. I have never owned a conure before, but I am ready for the challenge. Anonymous 2009-02-03
Some of the coolest comments:
I purchased a 6 month old GC Conure four months ago and though he was rather untame when he came home, he quickly settled into a routine with some patience from his companion humans. By "triangulating" with my border collie, Blackie, with whom I carry on many albeit one- sided conversations, Ariel began to pick up speech and though his voice is gravelly, he has an active vocabulary of over 70 words, mostly formed into phrases such as his first one: "Come see Blackie." I tried to turn all "contact calling" when I left the room into intelligible but simple conversation, and now get to answer Ariel's queries about what I am doing: eating, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. I'm delighted with Ariel's interest in language, though I read conures are not known for their language ability. Apparently, Ariel had not read such information. If you want to stimulate language, I recommend an involvement of a third party (even a dog)in the process, and teach in context and as if you are teaching a small child. Ariel's favorite word: Beautiful! Margaret Searing 2006-04-04
He might be a she yet, but Bobby, my young Green Cheeked conure, is curious and intelligent. I do not want his curiosity to kill him. I lost my last 2 birds, cockatiels, to escape. Once he gets outside, it will only mean freedom. Watch doors, incoming visitors, open windows. It takes a lot of luck to get one back. To the person with the water-shy bird: your bird is now afraid of the spray. Let him become curious on his own. If the cage is left in a quiet warm place, he will eventually take his own bath. You may have to do this for several days, especially in the case of your bird. That means do not disturb. They are smart enough to know when they need one. These birds learn readily if they are not coerced. The best way is to incorporate their natural behaviors and follow their leads. Listen to your bird! Good luck! Mark B. 2004-07-18
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Animal-world your site was and still is very helpful, because I am thinking about gettting a Green cheeked conure and the information your site provided was very helpful, especially since I knew absolutely nothing about conures! But now I do! Thank you! Sydney Alfeld 2005-08-10
thank you for the information, because i just bought a green cheeked conure and its the first day.its going on my hand, trusting me, and talking a little bit. thank you for your tips and every thing jeff asiedu 2005-07-18
I think your website is wonderful! I have a Green Cheeked Conure myself and they are the most loving little birds. Its great to have a site with so much information and beautiful pictures too! Hayley 2005-06-26

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS