Sunday Conure (Expert Guide)
Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by Ali Shahid
Sunday Conure is a hybrid of two popular conure species namely Sun Conure and Jenday Conure. Sunday’s name represents the parents of this hybrid (sun) taken from sun conures and (day) taken from Jendays.
The resultant hybrid has a striking coloration derived from both sun conures and Jendady conures. Sun conures and Jenday conures are similar in size and appearance and belong to the same Aratinga family.
The only major difference between the two is the wing color: green in the Jenday conure and yellow in the sun conure. Sunday conures, on the other hand, have wings that are a mix of green and yellow, with green occupying approximately 60-70 percent of the wings.
These gorgeous and striking hybrids are very docile, playful, energetic, and enchanting. They make wonderful pets and live for 25-30 years. In addition, Sunday conures can only be obtained in captivity. The diet is the same as that of sun conures.
Since the sun conure is an endangered species there are some concerns about hybridizing this species and even in some places it is illegal. The United States and the European Union have banned the import of Sun Conures. Continue reading to learn more about the Sunday Conures.
Origin and History
From Venezuela to Guyana, the sun conure inhabits the northeastern part of South America. Even though the sun conure lives mainly in tropical inland habitats, this species can also be found in coastal rainforests and dry savanna woodlands.
Palm groves and fruiting trees are usually the habitats of these birds. Meanwhile, Jenday conures are native to northeastern Brazil’s woodlands, palm groves, and dense vegetation. In general, it travels in small flocks of no more than 30 birds and nests in hollow trees.
Due to their close relationship (from the Aratinga family), Jenday and sun conures are capable of interbreeding. However, because their natural habitats do not overlap, it is unlikely to occur in the wild.
Nevertheless, some parrot breeders engage in this practice to accommodate their clients’ needs. This results in a hybrid conure with striking coloration referred to as a Sunday conure.
Although hybrid parrots are believed to be sterile and incapable of reproducing, this is not true of Sunday conures. Sunday conures are fertile and capable of reproducing. Sunday conures and sun conures have been crossed to produce a second-generation hybrid.
Sun conures are also crossed with Nonday conures. This also results in a hybrid known as nansun conure.
Size and Appearance
Sunday conures are similar in size to sun conures. It measures 12 inches long, including the tail, and weighs between 100 and 120 grams. The wings of Sunday Conures are green and yellow. There is a predominantly green color covering 70 percent of the wings, followed by a 30 percent yellow color.
In Jenday conure vs Sun conure, the major difference is the wing colors of adults. Jenday has green wing colors, while Sun conures have yellow wing colors. The remaining features are similar to those of Sun conures and Jenday conures.
Besides having a black beak and white rings around its eyes, it also has a long, tapering tail. It is difficult to differentiate between Juvenile Sunday, Sun, and Jenday conures. The reason is that juveniles of all these conures possess green-colored wings.
At the age of 9-8 months, they begin to exhibit their true wing colors when they molt for the first time. This time you can distinguish between the three based on the wing colors. In most cases, these parrots show their full colors when they are two years old.
Personality
In Jenday VS Sun Conure personality, there is no significant difference. Both conure species enjoy performing athletic tricks and are playful and amusing. It is easy to train these birds because they are intelligent, interactive, and willing to learn new tricks.
As long as they are properly cared for, parrots make excellent family pets due to their lovable and affectionate nature. However, when provoked, these birds can become aggressive at any moment.
There are times when these parrots may exhibit a nippy behavior that can pose a challenge to both adults and children. Even the most tame pet bird may bite when startled.
However, this response is not indicative of their true personality; it is merely a natural response. The same personality traits are also present in Sunday conures.
As with all parrots, Sunday conures require a significant amount of human interaction to remain happy and healthy. Especially when they are given appropriate attention, they’re adorable and playful.
Speech and Sound
Despite not being the loudest of conures, Sunday conures scream and will do so regardless of their volume. The majority of conures are notorious for their loud sounds; do not risk getting home and finding out that your new bird is not silenced.
While Sunday conures do not make a lot of noise, they are known for their shrill and piercing calls. Sunday conures generally alternate between periods of loudness and silence.
However, when feeling insecure or lonely, they can become persistently (and irritatingly) noisy over long periods. There is no record of the Sunday conure being an outstanding talker, but they are capable of learning a few words.
Caring for the Sunday Conure
Sunday conures enjoy being active, so they require a sizeable enclosure. Ideally, the cage should be 20 inches by 20 inches and at least 36 inches in height. It is recommended that the cage has narrow bars, approximately 3/4 inches wide.
Sunday conures try to escape and sometimes get their heads stuck in the bars. The Sunday conure spends a significant amount of time exploring and investigating new environments outside of their enclosure.
They enjoy climbing and playing gym, which allows them to stretch out their legs and wings. They may become destructive if they are not provided with this opportunity.
The conures will require some training, although they are not tolerant of being scolded. Socialization is necessary for them to learn how to interact with other individuals appropriately.
Sunday Conure Lifespan
There is no information about the lifespan of Sun Conures and Jenday Conures in the wild. However, its life expectancy in captivity ranges from 20 to 25 years. The same is true for Sunday conures. The Sunday conure has a life span of 25-30 years in captivity.
Concerns Regarding Sun Conure Hybridization
Hybridization is not common among members of this genus under normal circumstances. This is because the two species occupy different ranges and are unlikely to come into contact with one another. In addition, conures are also monogamous.
Sun Conures that pair with other members of their species do not show interest in Jendays. It is a common problem among pet enthusiasts and traders. Captive-bred Sun Conures are the only ones you are likely to encounter.
The conservation status of this animal prevents it from being traded legally as a pet. You will likely see most of them for very high prices, often close to four figures.
Many breeders cross-breed parrots to produce different colors and fetch high prices, like the Sunday Conure. However, there is a concern that hybridization could saturate the species, resulting in its dilution.
Furthermore, monogamy is another concern among scientists regarding hybridization. Sun Conures in captivity that have been paired with Jendays will not be able to pair with fellow Conures in the future. When this happens, breeding individuals are lost, making conservation efforts harder.
Furthermore, there is no indication as to what percentage of the captive birds are hybrids rather than Sun Conures. There is a risk that this species may become extinct and that a pure bloodline will not exist to permit them to be reintroduced.
There are also concerns among conure enthusiasts regarding the species’ purity and the impact it will have on the pet trade. This variation has also contributed to the growth of the illegal pet trade, which is ironic.
