Animal-World > Birds > Conures > Nanday Conure

Nanday Conure

Black-hooded Parakeet

Family: PsittacidaeNandayus 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

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

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:    Like the Aratinga conures, 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

Lastest Comments on Nanday Conure View all 51 comments on Nanday Conure Add Your Comment

Pat Johnson - 2012-05-10 We found a Nanday Conure after a storm in the neighbors tree 4 years ago. For no particular reason, we assumed it was male. I have been putting the bird out on the patio this spring in the cage, and today the bird laid an egg. Does the bird have to be fertilized with a male bird to produce eggs??? Or could another bird breed my conure from outside her cage??? We are extrememely puzzled and she is very fussy around her cage today, she is inside now. This is bizarre to me and my husband. Charlie Roche - 2012-05-11 A female doesn't need a male to produce eggs. Sometimes they just lay an egg. If she wants to sit it, let her as she will probably lay additional eggs (up to 6). She may sit them but they don't usually sit them until the last egg is laid. You can put the egg on some shredded paper towel or sawdust in a bowl or tupperware container and just let her sit them until she gets bored - or just throw them out after 20 days. You don't want her to just keep laying eggs cuz calcium defienciency. Think of chickens. A female parrot laying eggs without a male is not all that unusual. Just happens sometimes. Reply

kent wotton - 2012-03-25 I'm hoping someone can give me some advice. I just purchased two Conures from someone who was allergic to them. One is a male sun conure and the other I believe to be a female Nanday. I got them a real nice cage and put a nest box on it just for them to play in,but now they are both sleeping in at night and I've noticed they have started feeding each other. Is there a chance that though they are both different breeds of conures but I'm curious if they will mate and lay eggs They don't like me to open the nest box. Is there a chance that they could possibly breed? I know it isn't good to cross breed them and if I should take down their nest box. Thanks if anyone has any advice. Kent Charlie Roche - 2012-03-26 Because you have two different species of conures - it does not mean they will not breed. They will cross breed. It is not a bad thing. It is just that some people feel that you should never cross breed a species. The babies will be born and healthy, happy etc. Not a bad thing - just some folks do not approve. It would do no gfood to remove the nest box as the female would just lay the eggs off the perch or in the food bowl. If they eggs break, she might continue to lay eggs and run into a calcium deficiency so you might as well let them do what comes natural and enjoy it. The feeding is breeding/courtship behavior. No, they would not want you to open the nest box - it is their private place. Have fun. Reply

marie worthing - 2011-09-11 I'm looking for nanday conures parrots to buy.Can you help me? I live in Texas. In Henderson county but i will travel a long distance if the price is right. Thank you. (903)432-3214 laurie - 2012-03-10 i just bought one from a lady in Euless. $250 if that is a good price for you. Reply

Janet - 2011-04-06 I got my conure from a friend of my sister. He came from a very abusive situation and the friend could no longer keep him because she had to move to a "no pets" house. We have never nor intend to ever mistreat him, but he has a very "high pitch scream" that is used usually when uncomfortable or scared. "Baby Bird" will take food from mine and my kids fingers but not from an open hand (he shys away, like scared). Does anyone know how I can help him calm down and feel safe? He is even around other birds to associate with. Any help is appreciated. Thank you! Charlie Roche - 2011-04-06 Conures are known for that high picthed scream. They love to make noise. Sounds like yours is hand shy. That can be because no one ever picked him up, or taught him "UP", he fell down at one time or possibly abused (even by accident). I just pick them up, like I would a kitten and press them close to my heart. Sometimes the heart beat soothes them. Then you can gradually start petting the top of his head or the sides of his face. I have actaully gone back to hand feeding them formula with a spoon which seemed to work and I pet the bird when I was feeding with a spoon. Hey, ice creme and yogurt worked too - just not a lot. Try giving him the treat in the palm of your hand or holding the teat in one hand white your other hand is extended out. It just takes patience. They are afraid and I imagine you are too cuz no one wants to get bit. I don't like to do this but I have done it where I grab the bird with a sweater or shirt and hold him to my heart. They seem to find comfort in the hiding in the shirt and once I get them close to my heart beat they see to settle. I have even done this with a macaw. Birds are like people, they are all diferent. Just go slow and be patient. I would let them eat off my plate - anything where I can gradually reach out and pet them with my hand so they are not afraid. Richard Brand - 2011-09-01 I have had my Nanday for around 15 years, and he can be VERY noisy at times. That is the main drawback for them. They need a lot of attention or they will lose their trust of you. Mine was very tame untill my former girlfriend, her son, and cat moved in. I was never able to give him the attention he needed and deserved so he now acts just the way you described. Reply

marie worthing - 2011-09-11 I'm looking for nanday conures parrots to buy. Can you help me? I live in Texas. In Henderson county but I will travel a long distance if the price is right. Thank you. Reply

b.m.l. - 2003-07-20 There should be more info on nandays on the web! G. Williams - 2011-08-11 Did you find a way to contact Tim Anthony? I am also interested in purchasing a Waterslager from him. Thank you. Reply

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