Animal-World > Birds > Conures > Nanday Conure

Nanday ConureBlack-hooded Parakeet

Family: Psittacidae

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Nandayus nendayPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Dave Forsyth

     This juvenile Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is about 5 months old. He is a super sweet bird by anybody's standards!

     Typical behavior of the Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is demonstrated by the cute little youngster 'Nan', pictured above.

     "Nan" loves to come out of the cage. He comes to the front of the cage every time someone comes near. He likes to tumble and toss everything in his cage. He knocks his perches down, empties his water as soon as you put it in, and tips over everything that is not securely attached...all for FUN! He has proven to be a very good escape artist, too. His cage doors must be securely fastened with wire.

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

Scientific Name:Nandayus nenday Syn: Aratinga nenday

Distribution:      The Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is native to southeastern Bolivia, southern Mato Grosso, northern Argentina, Chaco Formosa, and Paraguay. It is also been introduced in North America with colonies reported in the southern and eastern parts of the United States.

Description:      The head is black, along with the cheeks and throat, which looks like a cap. The rest of the body is green, the throat and breast are blue, and the feet are red.

Size - Weight:      Mature birds are about 11-12 inches long and weigh 5.2 ounces.

Care and feeding:      The main diet of the Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet should primarily be nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. A commercially prepared pelleted diet can also be beneficial.

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

Social Behaviors:    Wild conures are friendly and peaceful. They live together in large flocks, often with monk parakeets.

Activities: Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys
Photo  © Animal-World: Courtesy Rob Hast

Breeding/Reproduction:      Nanday Conures are sexually mature at three years of age. The hen will lay two to six eggs which incubate for 24-26 days. The cock usually sits on or near the nesting box. The parents should be fed food that is enriched with calcium and mineral supplements.

Potential Problems:      As with many Aratinga species, the Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet can be noisy, they have a high pitched screech that can be annoying.      See About Conures: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability: The Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is readily available.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

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Latest Comments
My birds name is chak'o and since we brought him into our home... he has been nothing but a joy! Go chak'o! Reply albert 2009-10-22
My Nanday is Panama. I got him/her as a Mother's day present 2005. Panama was about 12 weeks when I got him. When I leave for work he says "Mom come back" and when I get home he says "Mom your back". He can also say Thank you, Kiss Kiss, step up, I'm Panama, bath, go to bed, pretty bird, baby. Panama also plays baby, he lays on his side and takes one of his claws up to his beak so i will pet and stroke his head and all of his feathers. He loves to take showers or a bath in the sink. I take him everywhere. He will go to anyone in the family and some people outside of the family as long as I offer him to them and if he is in the mood. Although, I did have someone come up behind me and try to take him and he did bite them and draw blood. Panama is momma's bird and loves to be on my shoulders to do chores around the house. He makes life interesting and eats everything we do. Julie 9/7/09 Reply Julie 2009-09-07
I found a Nanday in Boynton Beach, Florida earlier this year, we call it Jillian. It's been with me about 4 months and I am happy to say I think it finally gets it that I'm not out to hurt it. It learned tricks in a matter of minutes and finally stepped off its cage and onto my hand without freaking out! This is a great bird, and the more I learn about it, the more I come to appreciate how someone must really miss it. Talks too! Often. As much as it is challenging to own one now, I feel it is quite a (free) gift. Lots more to learn. Reply melanie 2009-06-27
I just rescued a Nanday Conure and a Dusky Conure from the animal shelter along with his mate. I have no knowledge of their previous life. I was having a difficult time when he first arrived, his biting and screaming was horrendous. I am trying to win him over by hand feeding him, tonight 6/24/09 was the first time I actually had him perch on my hand and then on my shoulder. Once there he just made sounds and nibbled on my earrings. I have been feeding him treats such as fresh apples and he absolutely loves millet spray. I love to watch him and his mate interact. I was not informed of his name or if he even was given one. I named him Noah and he mimics one sound. He does screech every time anyone enters his space. I am hoping he will out grow that... please someone tell me he will. I am searching further information on their eating habits. Feel free to share any information. I really want to build a healthy relationship with them both. Reply Jacqueline A. 2009-06-24
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Some of the bestest comments - here's the beef!
One day my mom and myself were walking out of petsmart. A lady was walking to the store with a nanday and i told her what a beautiful bird. The woman asked me if i wanted her. She said the birds name was 2k i said sure. well to make a long story short, 2k is very happy she gets to come out of her cage when she is ready the first day she was very nippy but now she is fine.She gets along with my children and myself. She a pleasure to have with our family and she rules the roost Thanks Cindy Reply cynthia 2003-09-28
I have the same bird, i got him from my sister, she couldn't take his screeming any more, and i felt sorry for him. No he lives with me and like to play a lot takes a shower with me every morning. His cages is always open so he flyes everywere in the house, and loves it, dosen't screm that much. I am very happy with him. Needs a lot of attention. Read a lot about those birds before buying!!! Reply Olga 2003-07-31
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