Golden-capped Conure

Golden-fronted Conure, Golden-headed Conure

Family: Psittacidae Aratinga auricapilla aurifronsPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Golden-capped or Golden-headed Conure shown here is only about four months old!

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

Scientific name:Aratinga auricapilla

Subspecies:

• Golden-capped Conure
  Aratinga auricapilla auricapilla
• Golden-fronted Conure
  Aratinga auricapilla aurifrons

Distribution:    These birds are native to southeastern Brazil (Bahia).

Description:   The bird is mainly dark green with a front of the crown yellow or dark red. The back of the head and neck are a yellowish light green.

Size - Weight:    These birds get up to 11.8 inches (30 cm) and weigh 5.3 ozs. (150 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 seeds, nuts, fruits, 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:    These birds make a very warm and friendly pet. Great for people of all ages.

Breeding/Reproduction:    These birds breed easily in captivity. A young hen usually only lays 2 eggs, and the clutch gets bigger as she ages. Eventually the hen will lay 3 to 5 eggs, which hatch in 25 days. The best breeding box is a deep nest box, 41" x 9"x 6.3".

Potential Problems:    As with many Aratinga species, Golden-capped Conures can be noisy, though not nearly as noisy as most Aratinga species.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:   This bird is generally available. Your best bet is to find one at a pet store or reputable breeder.

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

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Annika - 2020-03-18 Hi, I am looking for a Golden Capped baby conure. I am in Pretoria South Africa, and I'm struggling to find a baby golden capped conure. If anyone knows of someone who can help me please let me know via whats app or e-mail. Annikacronje@yahoo.com or 0826976664 Reply

Kriston Oberg - 2015-12-13 So this is our Gold Capped Conure. We have had her/him since 3 months of age. We have noticed that she/he is bigger than the others that we have seen. How can I be sure this is 100% a Gold Capped and not a mix Clarice Brough - 2015-12-14 That's sure a pretty bird! These birds aren't a common Aratinga species that is cross-bred, but ask the people you got the bird from about its parents. Being only 3 months old, that should be fairly easy. Michelle Watson - 2017-04-14 My golden capped looked to be the same size BUT she is 20 years old. Know it's a she because she laid eggs. I knew the breeder, saw her parents and I live in the US so my bird is banded. I believe it could be pure bred bird but Reply

Christi - 2014-02-25 Hi I'm Christi, I live in South Africa and have bought a golden capped conure 3 days ago, I’ve named him Brody. He still looks pretty young, not all his feathers have fully developed (about almost a year?) but he's more than capable at flying. I've read that this kind of bird is very active and likes to move around a lot. When Brody is excited he walks from one side to the other on one of his sticks and also climbs around on the bars. But because I'm at work almost the whole day I can't really keep a good eye on him. But to me he seems a bit inactive. When I arrive at home he is mostly still and doesn't move around much. I try to spend as much time with him as possible when I get home. He eats fruits from my hand and doesn’t really mind me sticking my hand in the cage, but he doesn’t want me to try and do a step-up yet. Which is understandable since I’ve only had him for a few days. He seems curious enough and likes to try new foods. He is mostly quiet and makes crackling noises with his beak like he is cracking open a sunflower seed, but he doesn’t have one in his mouth. He also murmurs to himself softly and moves slowly when he does. Is this behaviour uncommon? Should I be worried that he is sick? Clarice Brough - 2014-02-25 Conures are peaceful flock birds, but it sounds like yours may be bored and lonely. It helps to give them plenty of things to keep them occupied. Although they need 10-12 hours of rest each day, exercise and play are important activities for their physical well being and psychological health. I would suggest you focus on giving you Golden Capped Conure plenty of things to occupy his attention. Gnawing and climbing are great activities. Most conures will chew up anything wooden, so natural perches and fresh twigs from willow, elder, poplar, and hawthorn work well. Other great toys can be bells, ropes, swings, untreated leather, chew toys and ladders. They also love mirrors and shiny unbreakable objects. Reply

Sherry - 2012-07-07 Hello I just wanted to introduce myself. I have just adopted a Golden Capped Conure and a question is all of a sudden she is attacking my son (22 years old) everytime he trys to pet or have her go to him he was going to him - but now won't ? Charlie Roche - 2012-07-07 Most likely the Gold Cap has decided that you are his/her mate and is attacking the competition.  Rather than your son trying to pick up or pet the Gold cap, have your son just be around him, talking, possible little piece of toast as a treat.  Make friends.  Usually the conure will 'allow' other members into the family and maybe just re aquaint your son to the Gold cap. Reply

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Annika - 2020-03-18 Hi, I am looking for a Golden Capped baby conure. I am in Pretoria South Africa, and I'm struggling to find a baby golden capped conure. If anyone knows of someone who can help me please let me know via whats app or e-mail. Annikacronje@yahoo.com or 0826976664 Reply

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