Painted Conure (Complete Specie Profile)

Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Ali Shahid

Painted Conure also known as the Painted Parakeet is a highly admirable conure for its stunning coloration. These intelligent, and playful birds are loved by bird enthusiasts but their numbers in captivity are less than the Green Cheek Conure or Sun Conure.

Although they are considered Least Concerned by IUCN, they are not widely raised due to the difficulties involved in breeding them.

Even so, the owners of these beautiful and priceless birds speak only positive things about them. However, they are not good for beginners.

If you are an experienced bird owner looking for a new adventure, a painted conure should be on your bucket list. Continue reading to learn more about this spectacular bird.

Origin and history

Originating from northern South America, particularly the Amazon Basin and the Guianas, the painted conure can also be found in certain areas of Panama in Central America. Typically, they form flocks of about 10 to 15 birds but during the breeding season, they appear in pairs or family groups.

The upper canopy foliage provides them with a well-camouflaged haven for feeding and resting. These vibrant conures often mingle with other bird species like the Golden-winged Parakeet and Pearly Conure, forming mixed feeding groups.

They frequently visit water sources for drinking, bathing, and soil-feeding on mineral-rich clay banks within the rainforest.

Although the painted parakeet falls under the Least Concern category according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and BirdLife International, their population in the wild is gradually declining due to habitat loss and the pet trade industry.

While these parakeets may be common in their natural habitat, locating breeders of this species can be challenging.

Size and Color Marking

The Painted Conure, measuring around 8.5 to 9.6 inches (approximately 24 cm) including its long tail, displays green plumage. The chest feathers exhibit a captivating scaled pattern, with dark shades and broad whitish-grey tips.

Notably, the crown and nape showcase rich dark brown hues infused with mesmerizing hints of blue on the forecrown. The lips and upper cheeks boast a reddish-brown coloration, while the ear feathers adopt a charming buff-white shade.

A striking reddish-brown patch adorns the abdomen’s center, complemented by a brownish-red extension from the lower back to the upper tail-coverts. The primary wing feathers and outer webs of the longest wing feathers are adorned with captivating blue hues.

The tail transitions from brownish-red to a lively green towards the base. The beak presents a lovely brownish-grey color, the irises typically appear brown, and the legs assume a pleasing greyish tone.

It’s worth noting that both males and females have similar appearances, achieving maturity around two years of age.

Personality

The Painted Conure, a small and charming parrot, distinguishes itself by its relatively quiet demeanor compared to other conures. Well-socialized individuals can display a remarkably sweet nature.

This delightful bird, sought after for its lovely coloring and lovable personality, is not commonly found in captivity. When hand-fed and bred in captivity, a painted conure can make an excellent pet. However, it tends to be slightly more nervous than the green-cheeked conure.

Breeding some pairs may present challenges compared to others. Regardless of the situation with your pets, it’s essential to treat them with the utmost respect and affection, never neglecting their needs. These lively conures have abundant energy and adore playtime.

To cater to their active nature, provide a spacious cage equipped with plenty of toys and natural branches. Neglect or boredom may lead to feather plucking, so shower them with care.

Remember, painted conures aren’t like simple flowers that only need sunlight and water. They thrive on social interaction and tender love from their caregivers to grow and remain healthy.

These lively conures are generally not too noisy, except when alarmed or excited. They take pleasure in bathing and enjoy chewing on fresh branches.

Speech and Vocalization

The painted conure is not renowned for its talking abilities. While most conures can vocalize to some extent, it is not as effortless or distinct as other parrots.

The common call of the painted conure is a series of high-pitched, somewhat yelping notes, like “keek kyeek kyeek,” uttered both when perched and during flight. Perched birds may also produce a more rolling “kurrek” sound and a subdued “kek.”

However, when perched, they often remain quiet. In flight, flocks of painted conures frequently emit simultaneous, noisy, harsh, and piercing chattering sounds.

Breeding and Reproduction

Breeding the painted conure can be quite challenging and tricky, making it unsuitable for first-time breeders. While some pairs readily breed, others may show no interest in the matter.

Newly imported painted conures tend to be nervous and shy, often avoiding interaction with their keepers. However, well-raised and trained captive painted conures can become inquisitive and friendly over time. They may initially be susceptible during acclimatization but grow hard once they adapt.

When not breeding, painted conures form a colony system within a large flight containing other painted conures and similar species. Nevertheless, it is advisable to separate breeding pairs to avoid disruptions or potential aggression towards other birds in the flight.

The female, after successful copulation, will prepare a nest that may hold up to 9 eggs, with an average clutch size of 4 to 9 eggs. Both the male and female painted conures take turns incubating the eggs, which lasts for about 21 to 23 days.

When not incubating, the male will still stay close to the nesting box, providing protection from predators. After about 50 days, the young painted conures will fledge from their eggshells. They become ready to breed themselves when they reach about 2 years of age.

Typically, a painted conure breeds only once a year, but there are instances where it may breed twice. This second breeding happens when the previous clutch has been pulled earlier for hand-rearing.

How to Care for a Painted Conure?

Cage

To house your painted conure, ensure a cage size of at least 24 inches in height, 24 inches in width, and 18 inches in depth.

Opt for bars spaced at ½ an inch, and a powder-coated cage is recommended, as parrots, including painted conures, tend to be infamous bar chewers. Keep your feathery friend content and secure!

Toys and Perches

To grant your painted conure an enriched environment, offer bird-safe perches and toys, ensuring they are safe for chewing. Alongside essential perches, provide natural wood branches for your conure to perch on and chew on. You can easily find these branches online, specifically for conures.

Seek chew toys and blocks crafted from bird-friendly wood, such as pine and fir, as well as leather. These additions will keep your feathered companion both entertained and content.

Grooming and Bathing

Birds, like your painted conure, are unique creatures – some adore splashing in baths, while others show less interest. Watch closely to see what delights your feathered friend.

Some may enjoy bathing in their water bowl, while others might prefer joining you during shower time.

Socialization

The painted conure thrives in a social setting and is accustomed to living with a flock. If possible, consider getting a buddy for your bird. But remember, it’s best to avoid housing two different species of conures together in the same cage.

If you can’t find another painted conure, no worries! Just be prepared to spend ample quality time with your feathered companion. Loneliness may lead to boredom, so ensure regular interaction by involving your whole family in playtime and bonding with the bird.

Food and Nutrition

In their natural habitat, painted conures enjoy a varied diet of fruits, berries, flowers, seeds, veggies, insects, and larvae. They even nibble on algae from pond surfaces.

In captivity, it is essential to offer them a rich assortment of fresh fruits, veggies, and greens. Don’t forget to provide branches with flowers and buds, both for added nutrition and to satisfy their chewing instincts.

Keep a quality seed mix available all the time, containing safflower seeds, oats, sunflower seeds, hemp, buckwheat, millet, canary grass seed, and rowanberries.

Sprouted seeds and millet spray should be offered regularly. As necessary, supplement their diet with vitamins and minerals. Keep them well-nourished and happy!

Life Span

As per the World Parrot Trust, the painted conure’s companionship can extend for an impressive 13 to 15 years.

With attentive care and the fulfillment of their essential needs, you can even prolong this joyful bond further. Keep your feathered friend healthy and lively, and relish their delightful company for an extended time.

Common Health Problems

Keeping your conure in good health can be challenging since some health issues are airborne and difficult to prevent. Here, we’ve outlined a few potential health problems known to affect conures. Familiarize yourself with these conditions, so you can be vigilant and attentive to any signs that may arise.

The painted conure is vulnerable to:

• Aspergillosis
• Conure Bleeding Syndrome
• Wasting Syndrome
• Polyomavirus
• Bacterial Diseases
• Poxvirus Infections
• Pacheco’s Disease

Painted Conure for Sale and Price

Obtaining these rare birds can prove quite challenging, but if you manage to locate one, be prepared for prices ranging from $800 to $1,500.

You can go to the BirdBreeders site to find breeders who have listed the Painted Conure for sale. In the United States, there are very few people who sell painted conures due to the rarity and challenges of breeding this species.

References:

1. https://birdsoftheworld.org/bow/species/paipar1/1.0/introduction

2. https://www.parrots.org/encyclopedia/painted-conure