Maroon Bellied Conure (Complete Specie Profile)

Last Updated on August 3, 2023 by Ali Shahid

Maroon Bellied Conure

The Maroon Bellied Conure is a small South American New World parrot often known for its similarity to Green Cheek conures, intelligence, and ability to learn tricks. While they are only 10 inches long, they are very friendly, playful, and love to cuddle.

They love sitting on the shoulder and cuddling with their owners. You can say that they simply wish to be with their owners. Who would not love such an affectionate pet?

Further, the longer lifespan of 25 to 30 years is a major plus. With low prices, easy availability, a charming and affectionate personality, and low maintenance, Maroon Bellied conures as pets are ideal for families with children. Continue reading to find everything you need to know about this cuddly conure.

Overview of Maroon Bellied Conure
Scientific Names	Pyrrhura frontalis
Common Names	Maroon-bellied Parakeet, Reddish-bellied Parakeet, Brown-eared Conure, Brown-eared Parakeet, Scaly-breasted Conure, Scaly-breasted Parakeet, Azara’s Conure
Origin	South America
Color	Green, Maroon Abdomen
Size	9-11 Inches
Weight	74-95 grams
Personality	Friendly, Energetic, Playful, Cuddly
Talking Ability	Low
Noise Level	Generally quiet but can be loud
Lifespan	Plus 30 Years
Price	$250-$650
IUCN Status	Least Concerned

Origin and History

Maroon Bellied Conures are mainly found in the woodland, and frost edges of their native land which include South Eastern Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. They usually live in a flock of 6-12 birds at 1000m. These birds are very hardy and can even be seen eating fruits in Rio de Janeiro’s park.

Although they are social birds, they do not prefer feeding with other parrot species. ICUN considers these conures to be the least concerning since they are very common.

While they are abundant as compared to the Sun Conures, there is a very low population of Maroon Bellied Conures kept as pets. According to the World Parrot Trust, Maroon Bellied Conures have 2 subspecies:

P.F. Kriegi: The tail has a narrow brown/red tip.

P. F. Chirpepe: Its tail is olive in color with no brown or red tips, while its wings are orange or red in color.

Size and Color Markings

A Maroon Bellied Conure measures approximately 10-11 inches and weighs approximately 70-95 grams with beautiful green plumage. As the name indicates, you will spot a distinctive maroon patch on the belly.

The breast and neck sides are adorned with eye-catching yellow-green bars, almost resembling scales. Look closely, and you will notice a whitish ear patch, sometimes with a hint of brown. Oh, and their tail has a lovely maroon shade too.

These cuties have a unique dark maroon frontlet, setting them apart from their look-alike bird buddies. Their wings are a mixture of blue and green, with blue covering the outer part and green covering the inner part, and their beak is black.

So, if you ever come across a vibrant little bird with these features, you will know you have met the Maroon Bellied Conure.

Maroon Bellied VS Conure Green Cheek

When it comes to the Maroon-bellied Conure and the Green-cheeked Conure, it is easy to see why they are often confused. They share a lot in common, both in terms of their appearance and their friendly nature. However, if you look closely, you will notice some key differences.

1.   The Maroon-bellied Conure’s tail displays a cool combination of green on top and a touch of maroon underneath, while the Green-cheeked Conure’s tail leans towards a darker maroon shade all over.

2.   Another visual clue is that the Maroon-bellied Conure’s belly appears slightly darker than its Green-cheeked counterpart.

3.   In terms of maturity, both types of Conures reach adulthood between 1 and 3 years of age, with the smaller Conures maturing faster.

4.   Green Cheek’s lifespan is 25 years but Maroon Bellied Conure can live 30 plus.

5.   The Green-cheeked Conure is more commonly available compared to the Maroon-bellied Conure. So if you are considering having one of these delightful feathered friends as a pet, the Green-cheeked Conure might be easier to find.

Personality

The Maroon Bellied Conures are playful and loving birds. They are very docile and rarely aggressive. They love to cuddle their owners and always looking for their owners. Also, they enjoy playing with toys and can keep themselves occupied for hours at a time.

You will notice that it jumps and hops around you when it is desperate for your attention. In addition, they enjoy being cuddled by you, so do not be miserly when it comes to that. Because of their gentle and affectionate nature, these birds make ideal pets.

In addition, they are very intelligent and trainable. You can teach them a lot of tricks, and funny antiques. Due to their curiosity, they are always exploring new things. So keep an eye on them when they play outside the cage.

Speech and Sound

Maroon Bellied Conures are quieter than other conures, but they may occasionally emit loud natural calls at times. This is evident when they are excited and happy and let out a shrill and piercing call.

Fortunately, it does not occur all the time, but for those living in apartments, it could pose a challenge. You might hear a few random words here and there, but it is mostly just silly and mumbling noises.

These birds are easily influenced by their surroundings, so if you have a big, lively family, they might get a bit noisier than usual. Nevertheless, they remain adorable companions.

Breeding

At around 2 years old, maroon-bellied conures can begin reproducing, but their initial clutch often turns out infertile. A capacious cage suits them well, though some breeders opt for a larger flight cage. For nesting, a 12-inch by 12-inch by 12-inch box suffices, placed inside or outside the cage.

Wire the inside of the nesting box to prevent the conure from chewing through it. In addition, ensure it has a door or cover for potential egg or chick removal.

Once acclimated, these birds may breed consistently for years, provided they are nourished, in good health, and reside in a clean environment. Calcium and mineral-enriched food, like milk-soaked wheat bread, vitamins, and alfalfa cubes, should be given to the parents.

Expect clutches of 4 to 6 eggs, hatching after an incubation period of 26 to 28 days. Only the female incubates the eggs while the male keeps her company and feeds the hatchlings. Around 6 to 8 weeks old, the chicks fledge smoothly and are tended by the male.

A few days prior to hatching, the hen indulges in baths, thus, maintaining high humidity. Once hatching begins, the chicks use their egg teeth to peck the shell, which later falls off. The discarded shell is either eaten by its parents or discarded.

The chicks demand warmth and nourishment within twelve hours of hatching, or they risk perishing. Some parents selectively feed the stronger-looking chicks, necessitating intervention if a neglected or hungry chick is spotted. In such cases, move the chick to an incubation box.

Caring for a Maroon-Bellied Conure

Cage and Setup

When you pick a cage for your cute maroon-bellied conure, you gotta make sure it is roomy enough. Your little buddy should be able to stretch those wings fully without bumping into the sides of the cage. So, aim for something around 20” x 20” x 36” in size, at least.

Now, if you are thinking of having two birds in one cage, remember, you will need a cage that is twice as big as what you would get for just one bird. But hey, if you have space, why not opt for a larger one? Give them some extra room to play around with.

You have got options, too – check out both cages and aviaries to see what fits best in your home. And here is a tip: keep that cage nice and clean. Regular cleaning is essential, and don’t forget to change their food and water dishes every day to keep them happy and healthy.

Oh, and keep an eye on the temperature. These little buddies do well in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F, so make sure they are comfy and cozy. Your maroon-bellied conure will surely thank you for providing a comfy and spacious home!

Toys and Perches

When you set up your maroon-bellied conure’s cage, remember to add some perches on different levels. Your feathered friend will love having different places to hang out.

And hey, let’s talk about toys. It is a great idea to include bird-friendly wooden chew toys in the cage. Birds have this natural instinct to chew stuff, which helps them explore their surroundings. But you know what’s even better? Chew toys will prevent them from chewing on cage bars or anything else they should not nibble on.

Food and Water Bowls

Provide food and water bowls. Now, when it comes to food and water, avoid placing the bowls at the bottom of the cage. Trust me, you don’t want those droppings contaminating their food and water from that angle. Not a pleasant mealtime for anyone!

Instead, go for a better setup. Place those food and water bowls high up in the cage. You will find that the bird food and water bowls attach to the side of the cage easily. So, keep them up high, and your feathered buddy will have clean and fresh eats and drinks without issues.

Grooming and Bathing

They just adore taking baths. In the wild, they spread their wings and catch raindrops to refresh themselves. So, when you look after one of these little buddies, make sure to give them a mist spray bath every day. It keeps their feathers in top-notch condition, glossy and healthy!

Now, here is a handy tip to ensure your conure stays safe and sound. Consider clipping its wings, so it doesn’t accidentally fly away through an open window. Safety first, right?

Oh, and don’t forget about those nails. Just like us, conures need a nail trim every now and then. Keep an eye on them and give those nails a trim when needed.

Food and Nutrition

Maroon bellied Conures are open to trying new foods, and they easily adapt to a pelleted diet. They are curious and playful, enjoying a varied diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables alongside pellets. They like food of different shapes, colors, and textures, especially colorful and creatively shaped pellets.

Conures can suffer from conure bleeding syndrome, caused by a lack of Vitamin K found in broccoli. Conures also enjoy treats like shredded meat or pasta, a hard-boiled egg, peanut butter, bean sprouts, and moistened bread. However, avoid giving them avocado, as it poisons birds.

Remember to remove perishable food after a couple of hours. If birds don’t get enough calcium, their bones may become soft.

Calcium is essential, and you can provide it through a cuttlebone or a calcium block. If your conure doesn’t take to these, you can scrape the soft surface of the cuttlebone with a knife over their food every day.

Common Health Issues

Maroon-bellied conures are typically robust avians, but like any creature, they may encounter health issues. As a responsible bird owner, familiarizing yourself with essential indicators of their well-being is imperative.

Vigorous signs of health include lustrous feathers, bright eyes, maintaining a suitable weight, regular eating and drinking habits, and healthy droppings.

Conversely, ailing cues manifest as excessive sleep, unkempt feathers, reduced appetite, drooping wings, and respiratory difficulties. The following are common health problems to keep an eye out for:

• Conure bleeding syndrome
•  Aspergillosis
•  Pacheco’s disease
•  Psittacosis
• Proventricular dilatation disease
• Psittacine beak and feather disease

Maroon Bellied Conures for Sale and Price

In case you are interested in purchasing a maroon-bellied conure, you may wish to check with your local animal shelter or bird sanctuary first. These lesser-known avian companions often remain in shelters for months or even years due to their lesser popularity compared to cats and dogs.

If you can’t find one locally, expand your search radius using services like Petfinder to locate adoptable birds. If luck doesn’t favor you in the adoption quest, you might have to explore the breeder option. Depending on availability, you should expect to pay between $250 and $650.

For a comprehensive list of Maroon Bellied conure breeders in the United States, visit birdbreeders. Before bringing any bird home, ensure you thoroughly vet the breeder’s reputation and credibility.