Animal-World > Birds > Conures > Half-Moon Conure

Half-Moon ConureOrange-fronted Conure

Family: Psittacidae

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"Lucky"Aratinga canicularisPhoto Courtesy: Kristen

     A happy little bird, the Half-Moon Conure has a wonderful temperament and is very friendly. They are very popular and fun pets!

     The Half-Moon Conure is a lively, alert, spontaneous little bird. They will bob their head and even dilate their eyes when they are happy to see you, are showing off for you, or are just plain excited!

     Though they can be noisy the Half-Moon Conure has a lower volume to their call. They are considered to be one of the quieter birds in the Aratinga species. They enjoy mimicking a variety of sounds and some, like "Lucky", can even be great talkers.

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

Scientific Name:Aratinga canicularis

Orange-fronted Conure Subspecies (3):

• Petz' Conure
  Aratinga canicularis canicularis
• Half-Moon Conure
  Aratinga canicularis eburnirostrum
• Aratinga canicularis clarae

Distribution:      Though Half-Moon Conure is native to southwestern Mexico, the other two species of Orange-fronted Conure range in western Central America from Sinaloa, Mexico, south to western Costa Rico.

Description:      The Half-Moon Conure has a narrow frontal orange band that extends down to the lores and a forecrown that is blue. They look very much like the other Orange-fronted Conures though a tad bit larger than the Petz' Conure, and they have a brown spot on each side of the base of the lower mandible. They are also similar in appearance to the Peach-fronted Conure but have a macaw-like beak that is horn colored.      They have a generally green plumage with a greenish-yellow underside and yellow to olive-yellow under the wings and tail. The outer parts of the wings are blue. Like the macaws they have a naked eye ring. Their eye ring is a dull orange-yellow and the iris is pale yellow. Juveniles have a brown iris and the orange frontal band is narrower. Females also have a narrower frontal band.      Like most conures of this size, they have an average life span of about 30 years and possible longer.

Size - Weight:      These birds get up to 9.5" (24 cm) and 2.6 ozs. (74 g). Generally a little larger than the Petz' Conure which is about 2.5 ozs. (71 g).

Care and feeding:      Half-Moon Conures are not as destructive as many of the others conures, and can easily be housed is a lighter weight cage such as a cockatiel cage. A roomy cage is appreciated unless the bird is to be let out for periods of exercise and play.      In the wild many of the Orange-fronted Conures eat figs, seeds, nuts, berries, and blossoms, but the Half-Moon Conure has been observed to feed mostly on fruits, so much so that their feathers are often found to be sticky. In captivity these birds will eat an avian pelleted diet as well as a wide variety of fruits. They are not as quick to bathe as most conures. Offer them a bath, or if they are not interested in that give them a misting of warm water with a spray bottle or in the shower or sink about every other week.

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

Lucky Photo Courtesy: Crystal McCraine "Half-Moon Conures are some of the best talkers. Lucky is two years old... Crystal McCraine"

Social Behaviors:      All Orange-fronted Conures are social birds and live in fairly large flocks in the wild (up to about 80 birds) for a good part of the year. During mating season however, they pair up and live alone or with a few other pairs. They love to play and will preen each other during resting periods.

Activities:        They love to climb and play. Provide lots of toys. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch.

Breeding/Reproduction:      In their natural environment these birds nest in termite mounds, digging out a long upward climbing entry that then makes a sharp turn into a cavity dug out in the middle of the mound. They have been observed to use the natural hollow of a tree when termite mounds are not available, but this is the exception rather than the rule. Captive breeding is a bit more difficult than with other conures because of their preferred natural nesting place, but they are being successfully bred.      Though these birds will need to be either DNA or surgically sexed for a certain determination, the females will generally have a narrower frontal band.      The hen lays three to five eggs, one every other day, which are then incubated for about 30 days. The female broods the eggs and does the Initial feeding when the hatchlings are first born. The male then gradually takes over the feeding. The young fledge (leave the nest) after about six weeks. A nest box size should be 13" x 10" x 10" with an entrance hole about 3.25" in diameter.

Potential Problems:      As with many Aratinga species, Half-Moon Conures can be noisy but are generally considered a quieter conure. Not nearly as noisy as most of the Aratinga species are.      See About Conures: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:    The Half-Moon Conure is very popular and available from time to time. Your best bet is to find one at a pet store or a reputable breeder. (They are very plentiful and readily available to people who live in their native country Mexico!)

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Latest Comments
I have a Half Moon that is about 33 yr. old, I am his only owner. As of this morning he is not using his feet. He stays still and can't grip anything. I am worried about him. Can you help? Denise Lake Forest CA Denise 2009-12-20
Why are there people who think feeding Conures coffee and junk food is a good idea. They are very fragile animals and get sick easily. A nut as a treat is just as exciting to them as a cheeto,and it wont kill them. People need to understand the responsibilities of owning a bird. I am a bird owner and lover and its not fair to them, they don't know this food is horrible for them. michelle 2009-08-11
I would love to purchase a Halfmoon Conure if anyone knows of any. Darrell chevydarrell@yahoo.com Thanks darrell 2008-10-15
I purchased a Half Moon Conure abou 5 Years ago from a local pet store that specializes in Birds. He was hand raised and hand weaned. We brought PACO home and It was love at first bite. Paco is very active but seems to get real cranky during periods of high humidity. Paco screams my name when she wants attention or to play. She loves peanuts and french fries, and coke a cola is also a favorite of paco's. Also has a big liking for salt. This Bird can make life miserable if she wants too or is ignored. Very smart, likes to bite people and then laugh like a person, it is too funny. Red 2008-07-16
I purchased Payno (short for jalapeno) seven months ago when he was about ten weeks old near where I live in central Mexico. Although parent raised, within a week he readily and eagerly stepped up and enjoyed being handled, even being stroked on his back. He seems to take pleasure in outscreaming my cockatiel, four parakeets, and cardinal. He is a heart stealing protective delight who only shows his sweet and loving side to me. While I excercise in the morning he takes tremendous joy in flying back and forth from his cage to his playground about 12 feet away and then repeatedly bowing to my applause. His favorite activity seems to be climbing onto my wide brimmed sombrero and inverting himself while he beaks my ears, nose, lips, and back. Payno is everything - playful, loving, resourceful, independent - one could want from a companion bird. Les Shulman 2008-06-07
Some of the coolest comments:
We adopted Joshua at 3 months - and little did we know what a ball of fire we got! He's now 3 1/2 years old and talks no-stop; people will ask how many words he knows, and I just say as many as he wants! When not at home we let him and our little Shih-Tzu, Dixie watch cartoons; so now he's picking up some of their words, the latest being "Okey, dokey, dokey," & we are are saying it too! Bad enough when your pets imitate you, but worse when you find yourself imitating them! We had Dixie for 3 years prior to getting Joshua, she was not thrilled when he came in, but, for him, it was instant love. He loves that little dog and throws her carrots and green beans all day...he tells her to go "Pee Pee" and then says "Good Girl" afterwards! When she comes in he asks if she wants a "Cookie or a Carrot." She in turn, tolerates him now, after all, Joshua is a good food source! PROS for having a Half Moon: Intelligent, will reward you 10-fold if you take care of them. They are family friendly with us, love me the most and my husband second,(of course, after Dixie!). Beautiful little birds. Loves to ride on my shoulder all day. Will stay on perch without wondering. Definite talkers! And looove you so... CONS - if spoiled, they will call (or yell) for you by name until you pay attention. Can be loud, & nippy. One thing we hate is that while Joshua lets us kiss him, play bite, and steps up, he won't let us touch his body with fingers or be picked up. Having spoken with several other Half Moon folks, found out that they have the same problem. Don't know if it's breed characteristic, or just coincidence. After 3 years of trying, he now lets us touch his back (if we do it quick!). All in all, they are definite keepers and worth a little noise & nip for all of the love you get. Toni 2006-10-09
I have a wonderful Half-Moon conure named Frankie. He is incredibly intelligent, happy, outgoing and a great talker. He is not yet 6 months old and says the following phrases, already: Whatcha-doin? Hello Frankie Pretty Bird Such a Pretty Bird Good Boy Step Up Ouch (which he learned to say when he would nip my finger) He whistles the "cat call" sound and is beginning to whistle the Andy Griffith Show song! He's a great little bird, allows me to scratch his cheeks and head and loves attention. I'd recommend this species to anyone who is interested in a pet bird. Tammie 2006-10-08

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