Green Cheeked Conure (Complete Specie Profile)
Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Ali Shahid
If you’re looking for a friendly and outgoing pet parrot, look no further than the Green Cheeked Conure. It is an outgoing and comical species, although it is a little shy as compared to other conures.
This lively little companion is one of the most popular pet birds in the world, thanks to its vivid colors, playful personality, and ease of care. It’s sure to bring years of joy and entertainment to any bird-loving home!
Besides being less noisy than most other parrots, they are also less expensive. In appearance, they resemble maroon-bellied conures, and even experienced owners have misidentified them.
However, the plumage of green cheek conures tends to be more vibrant. In general, it is an ideal pet for a family with children. For more information on green cheek conures, please continue reading.
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Overview of the Green Cheeked Conure
The green-cheeked conure is a small parrot native to South America. There are a variety of colors on its feathers. There is a green patch of feathers on its cheeks, giving the bird its name.
It is known for being quite active and less vocal than other conure species, making it an entertaining companion for those who own them.
Green-cheeked conures are intelligent and enjoy learning tricks, as well as being able to mimic speech. With proper care and attention, these birds can make wonderful pets that can live for over 20 years!
Brief Overview of Green Cheek Conure | |
Scientific Name | pyrrhura molinae |
Common Name | Green-cheeked parakeet, Yellow-sided conure |
Size | 10 Inches |
Weight | 60-80 g |
Colors | Grey Green |
Personality | Social, Friendly |
Lifespan | 20 Years |
Talking Ability | Not an Excellent Talker |
Noise Level | High |
ICUN Status | Least Concern |
Colors and Marking
In terms of coloration, males, and females are identical. Its plumage displays a variety of colors including:
- They have bright red feathers on their chests and tails
- Backs and wings are bright green
- They have a red patch on their chest surrounded by olive green
- Its neck is ringed with a whitish color, and its head is covered in black plumage
- Their cheeks are covered with olive-green patches.
They have a long pointed tail that tends to be blue or maroon. The beaks and feet of these birds are black, and the eyes are surrounded by small bare white rings.
Selective breeding has been conducted in captivity to produce several color variations, including the following
- Turquoise
- Yellow-sided
- Cinnamon
- Pineapple conures
Personality
Green-cheeked conures are little clowns who are always up to no good. Their favorite activity is hanging upside-down and jumping on their cage bars while they wait for their owners to engage them.
You can’t escape them, they’ll go everywhere with you, jump on your shoulders, and always look for attention. Some breeders claim that Green cheeks are troublemakers. Therefore, you should always keep a close eye on your bird.
As a pet, the green-cheeked conure will appeal to both novice and experienced bird owners. I do not consider green cheek conures suitable for beginners.
However, anyone who has experience caring for a parakeet or other small bird may find this bird easier to handle. The bird is suited to children because it is small enough to be handled by small hands and is generally friendly.
Nevertheless, we should be aware that any bird may bite, and that little fingers are susceptible to injury. It is always advisable to exercise caution around birds and children, especially in the interests of the birds.
Speech and Sound
Generally, conures are known for being very noisy and loud. However, green cheeks are preferred by owners for their relative quietness when compared with other conures.
While it does not call as loudly or frequently as other species, it does make some noise. Despite their ability to learn a few words, green-cheeked conures are generally not prized for their ability to talk.
Despite being quieter than most conures, it can nevertheless be noisy, which can affect apartment dwellers.
Caring Requirements For Green-Cheeked Conure
A bright, inquisitive bird, green-cheeked conures make wonderful companions. They are active, playful, and full of personality. These delightful parrots require a lot of care to stay healthy and happy.
To keep them healthy and content, they need proper nutrition, a good living environment, daily interaction with their owners, and regular vet visits.
Compared to a larger parrot, the green-cheeked conure may not require the same amount of space.
However, the enclosure should be at least 24 inches square and 30 inches high, with metal bars evenly spaced between 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. In the case of any parrot, a larger cage is always preferable.
A variety of perches of varying lengths and diameters will help keep your parrot’s feet flexible. Room temperature between 65 and 80°F would be perfect for a green cheek conure.
Pairing a green-cheeked conure with another green-cheeked conure is recommended, but not with another bird species. It is recommended that you increase the cage size per bird if you are housing more than one bird in the cage.
You will need a larger cage if you combine more birds. It is common for green-cheeked conures to live in flocks in their natural habitat. Even as a pet, it requires considerable interaction.
Depending on your bird, it may require two to four hours of exercise and socialization outside its cage each day.
Diet of the Green Cheeked Conure
The green cheek conure is a pet bird that’s well known for its vibrant colors and friendly demeanor. They need a varied diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and seeds.
When feeding them a commercial seed mix, it’s important to make sure it doesn’t contain artificial colorings or preservatives.
A variety of fresh foods should also be offered regularly, such as apples, oranges, grapes, carrots, squash, broccoli, and sweet potatoes.
Training and Bonding With Your Green Cheek Conure
Developing a bond with your green cheeked conure is an incredibly rewarding experience. But it does take time and work to create a relationship with that special parrot in your life.
Training your conure to do simple behaviors such as stepping up, flying to you when called, and staying off of counters or furniture are all important skills for a happy cohabitation.
Additionally, it is important to spend quality time with your conure each day to foster the bond between humans and birds.
This can be done by simply hand-feeding them treats or setting aside some playtime for activities like puzzles or learning new tricks.
The most successful way to train any pet is through positive reinforcement; this means rewarding desired behavior with treats, praise, and attention.
If a negative behavior occurs, you should ignore it unless it is dangerous or destructive – punishing birds can have the opposite effect and cause them stress and fear.
Additionally, be sure to provide plenty of stimulation throughout the day in the form of toys, perches, puzzle feeders, swings, and more so that your companion has something fun to do while you’re away.
By following these steps you will be well on your way to having a special lifelong bond with your green-cheeked conure!
Health Considerations for Green-Cheeked Conures
Green-cheeked conures are small and seemingly harmless pets, but they do have a few health issues that pet owners should consider. However, with proper care and attention, these birds can live up to 20 years in captivity.
Regular veterinary checkups are essential for the health of any pet bird. A vet experienced with avian medicine should examine your green-cheeked conure at least once a year to ensure that it is in peak physical condition.
During each visit, your vet will assess your bird’s overall health, evaluate its diet, and monitor its weight. Additionally, they may recommend regular blood tests to track any potential changes in nutritional levels or other signs of illness.
It’s important to also provide your green cheeked conure with a healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals to help keep them strong and disease-free.
Feeding them organic fruits and vegetables as well as quality seed mixes will ensure they get all the nutrients they need for optimum health.
Furthermore, you should avoid giving them foods with high sugar content like processed breads or sweet treats as these can lead to obesity and other diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does A Green-Cheeked Conure Typically Live?
Parrots can make great pets, but it is important to understand how long they typically live. Green-cheeked conures are no exception, with a lifespan of up to 20 years when cared for properly.
With proper nutrition, exercise, and social interaction, these parrots can remain happy and healthy companions for many years.
How Do I Know If My Green Cheeked Conure Is Sick?
It’s important to keep an eye on your pet bird for signs of illness. Symptoms can range from lethargy and loss of appetite to changes in droppings or feathers.
Whenever your bird exhibits any of these symptoms, it is important to take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Are Green Cheeked Conures Good For First-Time Bird Owners?
Yes, green-cheeked conures make great first-time birds for owners. They are friendly and social birds, who are easy to train and bond with.
They’re also relatively low maintenance compared to some other bird species, so they can be a great way for beginners to get started in the world of owning a pet bird.
Green-cheeked conures also require less space than many other species, so they can be kept in smaller cages or aviaries if desired.
Where to Buy or Adopt a Green Cheek Conure
Several pet stores and breeders sell the green-cheeked conure. The green-cheeked conure makes a great family pet if it’s well-socialized and hand-reared. Make sure you check animal shelters and rescue organizations before buying a conure.
Conures aren’t often up for adoption, but there are times when owners have to give them up. You can find green-cheeked conures at Parrot Partners, Petfinder, and Adopt a Pet. The green cheek conure can cost you from $150-$700.
Whenever you are considering a bird breeder, you should interview the breeder, examine their birds’ general health, examine their living conditions, and speak with previous customers.
Crowded living conditions, inactive birds, and breeders who ignore your questions are all signs you should avoid them.
Conclusion
The green-cheeked conure makes a great pet because of its intelligence, funny personality, and striking plumage. The benefits of their big personality far outweigh the disadvantages of their lack of talking ability.
However, taming and training them requires patience and commitment. However, they make good pets for families. You will be rewarded with affectionate companionship when you establish trust with your companion.
However, if you constantly leave your conure parrot alone, he may become distressed and depressed. The personality of each green-cheeked conure parrot mutation varies, so you need to make your choice carefully.