Animal-World > Birds > Conures > Mitred Conure

Mitred Conure

Family: PsittacidaeHeckel and JeckelAratinga mitrataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   "I'm here to tell you... the original Heckel and Jeckel never got into as much trouble as these two!"...Dr. Jungle

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

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

Scientific Name: Aratinga mitrata

Distribution:
   These birds are native to central and souther Peru south through eastern Bolivia the La Rioja and western Cordoba in north-western Argentina.

Description:
   Mostly green but more yellowish on the underparts. The forehead is red with distinctive red markings around the eyes. There are scattered red feathers on the hindneck, mantle, throat, thighs, and bend of wing. The undersides of the wing-coverts are olive-green, while the undersides of tail and flight feathers are olive-yellow. The naked periophthalmic ring is creamy-white. Bill is horn colored. Irises are orange-yellow with and inner gray ring.

Size - Weight:
   These birds get up to 15" (38 cm). 8.6 ounces (244 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 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:
   In captivity these conures become very tame and will learn to speak. They need attention, patience, and toys.

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

Breeding/Reproduction:
   They breed readily if they have the right size aviary. The hen lays two to four eggs which are incubated for about 23-26 days. The young fledge after about 59 days. The nest box size should be 12" x 12" x 12".

Potential Problems:    As with many Aratinga species, MItred Conures can be noisy.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:
  This bird is generally available at a pet stores or breeders.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Mitred Conure View all 21 comments on Mitred Conure Add Your Comment

PyrO - 2003-07-26 hi Ellie, I know that pionus parrots are lovable but dont' need that much attentiion as do cockatoos and other parrot's you're better of loking into those kind of birds there known to be very nice tempered. good luck on your search. Click For Replies (2) Sylvia - 2012-01-21 It definitely just sounds like a petite-Mal seizure. That just means that they're acting normal on second and then they just pause and blank out the next second. They don't remember anything from the few moments during the seizure. Also, considering he is new to the environment, he is probably just scared and nervous. Things should get better. If not, take him to the vet. They don't really do anything to stop petite-Mal seizures but it is possibly that it could be something else. Sylvia - 2012-01-21 Chinchillas are really great pets and not a ton of hard work. And going with the carpet floor, if you get the right cage, you shouldn't have to worry about pee on the floor. But! Peeing is one of a chinchillas biggest defense mechanism especially if they are territorial... so, they may pee on you when you go to get them out of the cage, but not all chinchillas do that. Reply

Martha from Silverstrand Beach - 2011-04-22 Hello, Much to my surprise the "wild parrot" that visits my back yard is a Conure. I would like to make friends, not sure how to go about that. I put fruit and nuts in the birdbath type of feeder and also drove a tall handled shovel next to it for the bird to purch. So now it does stop by to see what I have out to eat. Would you guess this is a pet that took flight ? It stays in a 2 block radius and caws to let us know he is around. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks...Martha Click For Replies (2) Charlie Roche - 2011-04-23 Yes, I would say this is/was someone's pet but who knows from where. I had a friend who had her bird fly out of the car on a trip. So the conure could be from your area or from another state. The idea that the bird stays in a 2 block area can mean that it is from there or it got lost there and will expand it's circle of flight. The "caw" is the cry to find what it is used to. It's owners, its mobile home or whatever. You could place an ad in the paper but you might have many responces. You are feeding it and that is the first big step. It is eating. When you see it and it is eating, talk to it. Be calm and go slow and talk to it. Hold your hand out with food in it - or just sit down by it and eat something also. They are usually curious and want what you eat. Cheerios, cheese, cracker, something and it might just come over to you. If you can get that close, you can probably just pick it up. Just hold out your hand and say "UP". However, if you are nervous, at all, then you grab him around the back. If you are really frightened than you can try with a towel. Of course the towel will probably scare the whatever out of the conure so you will only get one chance on that. Your hand and holding it up should work fine. The idea is to get it in the house where it is safe. It can't live out there in the wild too long. There are predators and it doesn't have a clue how to survive out there. Obviously, if you get it in the house, you will eventually need a cage etc. The idea is just to let him know you are safe and feeding him and to come to you. Charlie Roche - 2011-04-23 It's just Cheryl again and as I was drinking my coffee it occured to me that I didn't know if you have ever had any experience with birds, fish butterflies etc. You can purchase a bird net at the pet store and just slowly approach the bird with the net held at your side and when he is eating, just quickly put the net over the conure. They do not like this. It does make them frightened and mad. However, you would be able to hold him in the net until you got in the house. He will be mad at you but he will be in the house. They are very easy to work with from there. You will probably only have one chance at this cuz somehow birds seem to know a net even if they have never been exposed to one before. I, personally, would just try and pick him up - at least try. Then if that didn't work, I would use the net. One other thing, most birds can not fly wet. You can sprinkle him really well with a hose and that would slow him down or bring him to the ground and you could pick him up. You would use the adjustment for spray on the hose not the force of a nozzle. Good luck and let us know what happens. Reply

michelle - 2009-07-10 I just recently caught a mitred conure in my front yard about 2 months ago. We have no idea how old he is but we do know that he is a boy. He can still fly so I can not take him out of his cage. He bites anything and everything that gets in the cage including fingers. My sister already got bit. I don't know what to do. I want him to be able to get up on to my finger and play with me out of the cage but I do not want him to fly away. I would like to have a great family bird that loves getting out of the cage and playing with the family. What do I do? Click For Replies (5) Roz - 2010-03-07 Michelle, My mitred conure passed away December 24, 2009. Sophie was 18 1/2 years old. I had her since she was a baby on formula. Sophie used to bite occasionally and follow it with the words. "What's the matter. Sophie is a good girl". They do have a sense of humor and are smart. Any questions, you need to ask, just email me. Roz Roz Levin - 2010-03-28 You are so lucky to have a mitred conure. I had Sophie who lived 18 1/2 years with me from a baby. She passed away on Dec. 24, 2009. I handled her often(every day), and she was out of the cage 10 to 12 hours a day. She was a very good talker also. When she would bite me, she would follow with "What's the matter? Sophie is a good girl. If you are afraid to lose him, have the wings cut. Sophie was full flighted, but I live in an apartment. She was very attached to me. Where are you? I'm in New Jersey. If you have any questions, just contact me. maryann - 2010-07-16 I too found my mitred conure in feb. On my screen it was screaming to get in side so I put a blanket over him and put him in a dog cage soon my son had an idea to let him out to socialize made a big difference now he is so lovable follows me in the shower, sleeps on the recliner as I take a nap at night he sleeps on the lamp shade. You need to keep your furniture covered but if you want them social they need to be part of your family use food as a reward soon you will have a great pet. Frank - 2010-10-26 First thing, get his wings clipped. Once his wings are clipped, work on getting him to perch on a stick (14") that you are holding. Once he realizes that he can't fly, he will rely on you to move him around. Next step would be to get him on a freestanding perch outside of the cage and work on massaging him with the stick. It will take time but parrots are a sucker for a massage. Over time choke-up on your holding of he stick. Making it shorter in your hand. As he gains trust, bites the stick less, gets used to your hand getting closer, trust will grow. Takes time a patience. And you may never be successful. But it's a worthy cause! Best of luck! Deb Summers - 2010-11-05 I also Have a Mitred Conure, Dolly, what a gal. Dolly was a rescue, she had plucked herself bald where she could reach. We knew she came from horrible living conditions. When I got her nobody would touch her. She would bite, foul mouthed brat. Thing is you don't know this birds history so you are going to have to start from scratch. Trust, if you don't build some trust you'll get nowhere fast. Check out Chet Womack on line he was a tremendous help. Because of his advice and some good old fashion common sense, Dolly is my best buddy now. People are amazed she's the same bird.The more I interact with her the bigger the clown she becomes. Get the wings clipped and also when a bird is wet they are easier to handle. In due time though. Be patient and always be calm. These birds are very emotional and shockingly intelligent. Good Luck and don't give up on him. He needs you. Reply

James McAfee - 2010-09-22 In May 2010 I was fortunate enough to acquire a Mitred. I was really excited about the relationship and found it to be one of the closest pets I ever had. We quickly bonded and I had him on my shoulder much of the time. I did chores and played with him, as well as rubbing his neck as he would rest his head on my thumb. His name was Jake and he had an accident on Sept. 11 in which he didn't survive. I was really fond of him and enjoyed his company as we bonded together. I miss him everyday and the so short of time we had will stay with me forever. He became my little buddy. Reply

Mary Hodges - 2010-07-12 I have a blue crown conure that is wonure and I thought I would like a mitred but I can't find any. I an thinking of maybe getting a sun conure instead I do have six cats and two dogs(papillons). The cats are scared to death of Gibby but I am worried about a smaller bird. I am almost always at home due the fact that I can't walk well. What kind if bird is recommended? Reply

Kristof - 2008-10-21 I wouldn't trust that Tango's flock. While they provided us a great bird, they don't provide good customer service and once they got paid, they don't care. Reply

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