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Patagonian Conure

Greater Patagonian Conure, Burrowing Parrot, Bank-burrowing Parrot

Family: Psittacidae"Mollie"Cyanoliseus patagonusPhoto Courtesy Lisa Umstead

   The Greater Patagonian Conure is sometimes known as the Burrowing Parrot or the Bank-burrowing Parrot. This is because they have been known to 'burrow' up to 6 FEET into the side of a cliff or a bank just to build their nest!

   This genus consists of only the one species, of which there are three subspecies. Both the Patagonian Conure and the subspecies, the Greater Patagonian Conure are becoming common in captivity as they are growing in popularity.

   Besides 'big feet' and the ability to 'burrow' the Patagonian Conures have some other very distinctive features. They are some of the largest conures, they tend to look more similar to macaws than to other conure species, and they have an unusual brown coloring.

   These birds are very social and love companionship, their natural behavior is to live in very large groups and to nest closely to one another. They make a very fine and affectionate pet. Being quite intelligent, they are good talkers. However they do have a harsh voice and can get rather loud. This along with being very sociable makes them an ideal aviary bird.

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

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

Scientific Name: Cyanoliseus patagonus

Subspecies:

• Patagonian Conure
  Cyanoliseus patagonus patagonus
• Greater Patagonian Conure
  Cyanoliseus patagonus byroni
• Cyanoliseus patagonus andinus

Distribution:
   The Patagonian Conures originally got their name from Patagonian, an area that is now included as part of Chile and Argentina. They are native to central Chili and the northern and central parts Argentina. They inhabit open country and especially like areas around water. They have also been noted to be very destructive to crops.
   In Chili these birds had been greatly depleted, largely through collecting of the young by natives to be eaten as delicacies, especially during the feast of Saint Andrew. Today they are better safe-guarded as Chili granted them legal protection in 1967.

Description:
   The Patagonian Conure is a very large conure with the Greater Patagonian Conure being even larger still, about 2 inches longer. The head, neck, and upper back are olive-brown with some tinges of green, while the Lower back, rump, upper tail, and underparts are more yellowish with an olive tinge. The thighs and the center of the abdomen are an orangish-red. The throat and breast are grayish-brown and there are white markings on each side of the upper breast. These white markings are much more pronounced on the Greater Patagonian Conure than the nominate species as well as their having brighter and more intense yellows on the underparts. The wings are olive with the outer feathers being blue moving down to a bluish green on the outer secondary feathers. The tail is an olive-green tinged with blue on the tip and brown underneath. They have a white eye ring surrounding a yellow eye. The beak is gray and the legs are a flesh pink.
   A younger bird will have a pale gray eye ring and the beak is almost a horn color.

Size - Weight:
   The Patagonian Conure will get up to about 17 3/4" (45 cm) and the Greater Patagonian Conure will get up to about 19" (48 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.
   In the wild the Patagonian Conure eats seeds, berries, fruits, and probably vegetable matter. As a pet they will enjoy a variety of sprouts, seeds, 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:
   They are very sociable and have been recorded to live in very large flocks. Today they are not as abundant and are being seen in smaller flocks.
   They enjoy being near to each other and even nest in close proximity to one another. Their social behaviors make them wonderful pets and they are very intelligent and good talkers. However because they do have such a loud harsh call, they are also considered to be excellent aviary birds.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   In the wild these birds nest in burrows dug out in cliffs or banks. Sometimes this burrows are up to six feet deep. The hen will lay three to four eggs which are incubated for about 24 to 26 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 80 days.
    See About Conures: Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.

Potential Problems:    This bird has a loud harsh call and can be noisy.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:
  This bird is becoming more available as it is increasing in popularity.

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

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on Patagonian Conure View all 23 comments on Patagonian Conure Add Your Comment

Heather - 2009-03-06 James - so sorry to hear about your little parrot. I got mine from someone who couldn't keep her in a flat. she was nearly bald from plucking but so eager to be friends. She loves me and starts calling the minute she hears my car pull up although she is with my mom all day. She just wants to be on my shoulder or under my chin and gives me so much happiness. I know how big a space she will leave in my heart. There are many unwanted parrots who would love you as an owner. Think about 'adopting' and enjoying giving and receiving from another lovely bird. Heather Reply

Annelie Dietrich - 2010-02-04 We are addicted to our Pattis. We have both a male and female, but not a breeding pair. These are the most awesome pets, noisy and rule the household, but lovable beyond words. Could someone advise me, if their birds have experienced any form of fits, similar to epilepsy. Out vet prescribed additional calcium feeding. Also the one bird is nearing 18 years old, and if they experience a loss of balance, and or disorientation. Can someone also advise the life span for these babies... Much appreciated. Regards susan - 2010-04-27 I have read the life span is about 30 years. I was wondering how to tell the male from the female. Dawn Jensen - 2010-05-12 Can anyone help me.. we just adopted "Rudy" and he was so loving when we adopted him from a rescue and now he is being very aggressive and wants to bite all the time... at a loss here! He used to step up on my finger and now all he wants to do is draw blood! What can I do? Help>>> Paul - 2010-06-24 Susan - the only way to identify males from females is by genetic testing. Your vet should know how to draw a little blood and where to have it sent. Dawn - our Charlie went through the same stage when he was maturing. We would "punish" him by closing the cage door and walking away, sometimes covering it, since he loves to be around us. Good behavior got a peanut as a reward (he is an addict). It took some weeks but he is a smart bird. Doesn't mean he won't still bite on occasion, chewing is in their nature. When he does, he is back in his cage. cherisse - 2011-07-22 Hi there, We also have a patty:) he had symptoms of epilepsy, which was a result of lead poisoning:( We were very lucky to find a bird specialist that knew what to do and got him sorted:) he's alright now. If you like here is the vets number if you would like to get a second opinion. He's names Philip 0114758680 (south africa). He's very passionate about his birds and we wouldn't go anywhere else. For now just to be safe, give your birds some peanut butter to eat. It helps bind anything in the stomach that shouldn't be there and gets it out the system. If you need to know anything else, my email address is cherissegn@hotmail.com, feel free to send me a email if you need to:) Reply

Randy Frito - 2010-06-24 I have had a "patti" for about two years. His name is Squeakers. He is loud and very protective of his cage. He seems to be in love with one of my amazon parrots. I love him so much but he does not like to be with me. He will bite if I try to take him from his very large cage. I live in Mexico and I want to buy him a mate. These birds are not common here in Mexico so it could be awhile before I find one. Everyday I sit by his cage while working on my computer. I tell him how beautiful he is and how much I love him. He just sits there and screams but it doesn't bother me because he is one of my best friends. I don't know what I would do if I lost him. Reply

Tony Bilsborough - 2012-02-18 We have just purchaes a patagonian conure parott. He has a ring on this being JRBB 303 does anyone know what this means? How do you age a parott also? Thanks Tony Charlie Roche - 2012-02-18 The ring is the breeders band identification. The breeder is JRBB or JRBB aviary and the number 303 usually stands for the baby number so the 303 rd baby born there (or close to it). It is how breeders keep track of babies, parents etc. How you tell the age - minus certain phases like 2 months, 3 months, possibly a year, middle age and old age - beats me. I never thought of it cuz I always knew how old mine were. Reply

sirjoe - 2011-11-29 I recently adopted 'Chula' a Patagonian Conure from a family member. I'm not familiar with how she was raised but she has become very territorial with my husband. She does not allow me to get near him when she is resting on his sholder. She snaps at me and chases me away. I love her however I dont think our family can give her the attention she requires because of this behavior. Please help!!!! Charlie Roche - 2011-11-30 Conures are normally very good family pets. They like the whole family. I would feed her treats with your hand when hubby is not around and see if she comes around. She was just moved and your hubby is a man and maybe a gal hurt Chula or maybe he is the tallest in the home and birds will always go high. I would wait and see if you can bring her around. Feed her treats with your hand. Talk to her. Whistle or sing. Try and spend some alone time with her without hubby around and make a friend. Reply

Lawrence - 2011-07-09 I am a newbie in the bird world and have a singular parakeet that I dearly love and I am positive the feeling is mutual.It does my heart well to see so many people who love their birds as well. I too have cats and one has adopted Sammy and sleeps under his huge cage.The other cat looks at Sammy as a sandwich so I don't dare to let him roam free. I bought him a huge flight cage and filled with toys that I rotate. His cage is cleaned daily and we spend about three hours a day at the minimum interacting. We sing together but he doesn't talk but nevertheless he loves to sing duets. You folks made my day. Charlie Roche - 2011-07-09 Somec cats are just fine with birds and some aren't. Usually the bigger birds bob the cat in the nose and the at just stays away but you have a little guy. I am glad you love him. I love birds. Reply

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