Sun Conure

Family: Psittacidae "Oscar"Aratinga solstitialisPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Becca Edmonds

   When the Sun Conure is fully mature and has all its coloring it is gorgeous, but even juveniles are extremely pretty!

Widget Photo Courtesy: David Brough

  "Widget" is an exceptional Sun Conure. He loves to do tricks with his owner and is very playful and affectionate.

   Sometimes "Widget" sleeps, or plays "dead bird" in his owners hand. He loves to hang out and he is free to fly about, but when he's ready for a break he always goes back to his cage. "Widget" is fun to be with, fun to play with and fun to look at!

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

Scientific Name: Aratinga solstitialis

Distribution:
   These birds are native to Guianas to northwestern Brazil.

Description:
   The Sun Conure, a small member of the parrot family, is one of the most colorful of the conures. Their nice personalities and their gorgeous coloring make them a favorite pet. There are a variety of conures, and most make excellent pets. They vary in coloring and size, the Nanday Conure, for example, is a larger conure with a black head and green body. For a smaller bird and a great pet, a conure is a great choice.

Size - Weight:
   These birds get up to 12" (30 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. They eat a variety of sprouts, seeds, nuts, 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 live in pairs or small groups of 10 to 20 birds. They love to play, and can be fairly destructive if not watched. They can also be rather noisy. Despite all this, they make a real fun pet and are very popular.

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

Thorn Photo Courtesy: Kristy "Thorn" is a real good example of color variations that conures can have within one species. He is very yellow, and this is after his very first full molt! ...Kristy

Breeding/Reproduction:
   They breed readily if they have the right size aviary. The hen lays four eggs which are incubated for about 26 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) after about 8 weeks. The nest box size should be 12" x 12" x 12".

Potential Problems:    As with most Aratinga species, this bird can be noisy.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability:
  This bird is generally available. They can usually be found at pet stores and reputable breeders.

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