Animal-World > Pet Birds > Conures > Patagonian Conure

Patagonian Conure

Greater Patagonian Conure Family: Psittacidae

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Mollie Cyanoliseus patagonus Photo 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

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.

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Latest Comments
James, I am so sorry to hear about your lost! Rest assure she wasn't just a silly little bird....she was your companion and friend. You will miss her but she is waiting for you at Rainbow Bridge. There you two will be together once again. Huge Birdie Hugs coming your way from all of us here. Sharon 2009-03-12
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 Heather 2009-03-06
I lost my patti three days ago, she died of old age. You would think an old man of 60 would not still be crying over a silly little bird. God I miss her. James LaGarce 2009-01-30
I have had my patty, Ziggy, for about a year now. He's sitting with me as I write and "grooming" my face. He's a lovebug. He can be kinda loud, but thats okay with me. He cracks me up because he'll get into these moods where he talks and talks. Some of his words are not very clear, but he sounds so cute when he talks. He is even potty trained and lets me know when he has to use the bathroom. Andrea 2008-09-29
My patti jitterbug loves to go outside, he has never flown off, he climbs up and down the stairs and loves to eat with me. Often getting his own plate and cup at dinner time, dosen't like water much but when he wants a bath he lets me know. Very clean and lovable, he loves to follow me around and when he cant find me he calls for me until I go and pick him back up, patti's are such lovable and great animals. Jitterbug 2008-08-16
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Indeed, "patagonia" means big foot. itīs name came from the area where "Loro Banrranquero" lives in. The name of the: "patagonia" cames from the natives who used to live in the area named as the "patagonia", the natives as the "araucanos", the "tehuelches", they named the place, the place named the parrot. Then, the usual name here is: "loro barranquero", and it means: "Parrot from the ravine". Greetings to you from Argentina, your page was very useful for me, i boought one of these parrots yesterday, and i am happy because now i know a lot about it. Thanks you again :D Gustavo 2005-08-30

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS