15 Types of Conure (2024 Guide About Best Pet Conures)

Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Ali Shahid

It is no surprise that conures are favored by pet bird owners. Often called clown parrots, they are notable for their charisma and attention-seeking behavior. Many types of conures and subspecies exist.

Experts believe that there are 100 species and subspecies of conures. The characteristics, personalities, and needs of each conure type differ.

With so many breeds available, it can be difficult to determine which is the best fit for you. However, do not worry! Today we will discuss the 15 different types of conures so you can make an informed choice!

1. Sun Conures

Sun conures are medium-sized, brightly colored, and most popular pet conures native to the northeastern regions of South America. These birds are known for their chatty and playful nature, and they display intelligence, sociability, and ease of training. 

Sun conures are affectionate and enjoy cuddling, showing kindness to all family members when treated well. However, they can unexpectedly become aggressive if provoked. 

Like all parrots, sun conures are social creatures, requiring substantial interaction with their human companions to stay content. They have a natural inclination for playfulness and affection when given the attention they need, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a constant avian companion. 

Adequate exercise is crucial for their well-being, as sun conures are naturally active and require sufficient space for flying, exploration, and play. 

It is essential to allow them a minimum of three hours outside the cage each day, along with engaging in activities like foraging and other forms of mental stimulation, as these intelligent birds thrive on such enrichment.

They primarily consume fruits, blossoms, berries, flowers, seeds, nuts, and insects in their natural habitat. As they go through various life stages, their nutritional requirements shift. During the breeding period, they need a higher intake of protein. 

When raising their young, an added supply of carbohydrates becomes essential. Additionally, during egg production, they require an increased intake of calcium. 

Sun conures are not messier than smaller birds and relish the opportunity to play outside their enclosure. They find joy in their owner’s attention and can form strong bonds with another sun conure as a companion.

 2. Nanday Conures

 The Nanday Conure is a small to medium-sized parrot found in continental South America. These birds are predominantly green and are known for their distinctive black mask and bib on their faces. 

They also sport blue feathers on their wings and tail. Nanday Conures are clever and social birds, showing affection to their owners and even having the ability to learn a handful of words and short phrases, making them adept at mimicking speech. 

In their natural habitat, they gather in large groups, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, and primarily feed on fruits and cultivated crops. Nanday Conures can live for an average of 20 to 30 years and require roomy cages stocked with toys and perches to keep them engaged. 

A nutritious diet for these birds consists of a combination of pellets, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Overall, the Nanday Conure is a favored pet choice due to its intelligence, sociable nature, and talking skills, but it demands proper care and attention to thrive in captivity.

3. Green Cheek Conures (Including Cinnamon and Driver Varieties)

The Green Cheek Conure, also known as the Green-Cheeked Parakeet, is a charming and widely loved pet parrot. They are also the most common conure among all conure species. 

This parrot is relatively small in size, making it both quieter and more cost-effective compared to many other parrot types. Green Cheek Conures come from dense forests in Paraguay, northwestern Argentina, and Bolivia. 

They possess a “significant personality in a compact frame,” as they are playful, affectionate, and intelligent. While they can learn to talk, their vocabulary is limited, and they have a raspy voice. 

In the world of bird keeping, Green Cheek Conures are recognized for their curious, fearless, and captivating demeanor. They enjoy human contact, though individual preferences may vary. 

These birds can pick up various tricks, like rolling on their backs, “kissing,” shaking, hanging upside down, using simple tools, and even being toilet trained. Green Cheek Conures are sociable and amusing, although they may be a tad more reserved compared to other conure species.

In terms of appearance, Green Cheek Conures are predominantly green, with a brown, black, or gray head and white eye circles. They are found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay. 

These birds are highly social and thrive on interaction with their human companions. They require a well-rounded diet, including a mix of pellets, fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional treats. 

Providing them with a roomy cage, plenty of toys, and regular out-of-cage time for exercise and mental stimulation is crucial for their overall happiness and well-being.

4.  Golden Conure

The golden conure, also called the golden parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot native to the Amazon Basin in the northern regions of Brazil. This striking bird, the sole member of the Guaruba genus, measures about 34-36 cm in length.

It sports vibrant yellow plumage with hints of green on its outer wings and a completely yellow tail. Its beak is large and horn-colored (gray), and it features a white eye-ring without feathers. 

One notable trait of the golden conure is its friendliness, making it a wonderful choice as a pet due to its easy taming and affectionate nature.

In terms of diet, these birds enjoy a diverse menu consisting of various fruits, seeds, and nuts. They also indulge in flowers, insects, and their larvae as part of their regular meals. 

Unfortunately, the golden conure is facing a precarious situation, as it falls under the classification of a threatened species. In 2018, it was moved from an endangered status to a threatened one, thanks to the implementation of a Section 4(d) rule.

5.  Patagonian Conure

After discussing the Golden Conure, let’s now turn our attention to another popular species of conure: the Patagonian Conure. This beautiful bird is also known as a Burrowing Parrot due to its tendency to create deep burrows in sandy soil. 

It is the sole member of the Cyanoliseus genus and hails from South America, primarily Argentina, with small populations in Chile and Uruguay. These birds thrive in dry conditions, like the steppe areas of the Monte Desert, where they live in groups, forming monogamous pairs. 

What makes the Patagonian Conure stand out is its size. It is the biggest conure species, with a maximum weight of 280 grams, even in the smaller subspecies. Greater Patagonian Conures can be even heavier, though they are not often seen as pets due to their rarity. 

Because their natural habitats lack suitable nesting spots, these birds often make their homes in burrows, earning them the nickname “burrowing parrots.” In terms of care, they need roomy cages to stretch their wings and accommodate their hygiene needs. 

While they make wonderful pets, they are known for their somewhat loud voices and tendency to be noisy.

6.  Red-Masked Conure

The red-masked conure, also known as the cherry-headed conure or red-headed conure, is a medium-sized parrot native to western Ecuador and northwestern Peru. They make popular pets and are renowned for their excellent talking abilities among all conure species. 

Red-masked conures have an average length of about 33 cm (13 in), with half of it being their tail. They sport vibrant green feathers with a predominantly redhead that prominently displays an elongated pale eye-ring. 

You can observe red plumage on their lesser and median underwing coverts, as well as some red on their neck, thighs, and the front edge of their wings. Young red-masked conures start with green plumage and gradually develop red feathers around four months of age. 

These birds are highly intelligent and affectionate, and they are also known for their loud, two-syllable call. In the wild, they are social creatures, living in flocks, and they prefer having companions around. They are active and playful, needing mental and physical stimulation. 

Red-masked conures primarily feed on a variety of fruits, seeds, and nuts in their natural habitat. Captive birds should receive a well-balanced diet consisting of high-quality pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and occasional treats such as nuts and seeds. In captivity, they can live for approximately 20 to 30 years.

7.  Half-Moon Conure

The Half-moon Conure is a medium-sized miniature parrot species native to South America, measuring approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in length. These parrots are brilliantly colored with emerald-green plumage, an orange forehead, a vivid blue crown, yellow eyes, and blue patches on their wings. 

They are renowned for their lively personality and are generally considered quieter than other conure species. They are also well-known for their friendly and easily trainable nature. 

They are outgoing, social, and quite chatty. To stay healthy, they require a well-rounded diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and a high-quality pellet mix. 

You can find them across a wide range, from Mexico to Argentina. Half-moon Conures have a lifespan of approximately 20-30 years.

 8.  Mitred Conure

The mitred conure, also known as the mitred parakeet, is a medium-sized parrot native to Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. It has also been introduced to Uruguay and established there, as well as in the US states of California, Florida, and Hawaii. 

The mitred conure measures approximately 13 to 15 inches in length and has an average weight of around 7 oz. Its plumage is predominantly green with a purplish forehead and varying amounts of red on the face, including red in front of the eye that typically extends past the eye and down the cheeks. 

Known for its playful, talkative, and intelligent nature, the mitred conure is a popular choice as a pet bird. 

When kept as a pet, they require a balanced diet comprising pellets, fruits, vegetables, and seeds, in addition to regular exercise and social interaction. In captivity, mitred conures can live for approximately 20 to 30 years.

9.  Jenday Conure

The Jenday Conure is a small parrot that is native to South American forests. These intelligent and affectionate birds can be wonderful companions for those who can dedicate time to their needs. 

They boast vibrant plumage, with a reddish-orange body, green wings and back, blue tail feathers, and wing edges. Interestingly, they are considered the closest living relatives of the now-extinct Carolina parakeet, once found in the United States. 

These charming birds can share your life for up to three decades, offering long-term companionship. Jenday Conures are lively creatures, requiring ample activity to stay content. 

To keep them healthy, it is crucial to provide a well-rounded diet that includes fresh fruits, vegetables, and high-quality pellets. A spacious cage is essential, allowing them room to play and move around. 

Additionally, they need regular out-of-cage time and bonding to prevent feelings of loneliness or sadness. Inside their cage, it’s important to offer stimulating activities rather than a space for them engaged and happy.

10. White-Eyed Conure

The white-eyed conure, also known as the white-eyed parakeet, belongs to the parrot family Psittacidae and can be found in northern and central South America. This bird species is native to almost every mainland South American country, excluding Chile, and it can also be spotted on Trinidad. 

The white-eyed conure is a medium-sized parrot with a distinct white eye-ring, typically green in color. It is highly sociable, often forming groups of hundreds of birds that travel between feeding spots and roosting areas along riverbanks. 

These flocks may even include other parrot types, and they commonly roost together in trees, cane fields, and caves. Their diet mainly consists of fruits, but they also consume seeds, flowers, a few arthropods, and visit clay licks. 

Although not as colorful as some parakeet species, the white-eyed conure is a well-behaved and intelligent smaller parrot that demands time and attention from pet owners.

11. Peach-Fronted Conure

The Peach-Fronted Conure is a medium-sized parrot that can be found in central and eastern parts of South America. These birds have a grayish-green back with a lighter green (olive) color on their chest, and their forehead and forecrown are a vibrant yellow/orange. 

Peach-fronted conures are well-known for their friendly and sociable nature, making them an excellent choice for pet enthusiasts. They are easy to teach and make wonderful companion birds. 

These amiable and lively avian companions are a great source of entertainment, as they enjoy playing, snuggling, and receiving affection. Peach-fronted conures are also recognized for their ability to engage in lengthy conversations using soft chirps when communicating with other members of their flock. 

If you are thinking about bringing a Peach-Fronted Conure into your home as a pet, it is crucial to provide them with proper care, including a well-balanced diet, regular opportunities for exercise, and plenty of social interaction.

12. Dusky-Headed Conure

The dusky-headed conure, commonly known as Weddell’s conure, is a small green intelligent, and playful parrot native to the western Amazon basin in South America. 

These birds inhabit wooded areas and are distinguished by their green plumage and dusty grey head. These birds typically appear green in color, with a gray-brown head, and a tail adorned with a touch of blue. 

The undersides of their wings exhibit a dark gray hue, whereas they appear predominantly blue when viewed from above. Their beak is of a black hue, and they possess a white ring encircling their eyes. 

It is a cuddly, clownish, intelligent bird, but it is also referred to as a “quiet” bird. They are generally quiet pet birds that normally squeak and chirp, but they can be loud when overly excited. 

They are healthy and hardy birds with a lifespan of around 20 years. They are perfect companions and are loved for their calm, peaceful temperament and entertaining behavior. 

To maintain their health and activity level, they require a balanced diet of pellets, fruits, vegetables, and seeds. Furthermore, they require a spacious cage with a variety of toys and perches to keep them entertained.

13. Crimson-bellied Conure

The Crimson-bellied Conure, also known as the Crimson-bellied Parakeet, belongs to the Psittacidae family’s Arinae subcategory. These birds are native to Bolivia and Brazil and make fantastic pet parrots owing to their friendly, affectionate, and comical personalities. 

They are petite creatures, measuring around 24 cm (9.3 in) in size and weighing between 85-94g (3-3.3 oz). Their plumage is predominantly green, with a vivid red belly and blue flight feathers. 

These birds are truly splendid and can bring immense joy to their owners. They share a bordering habitat with the Pearly Conure, forming a closely related species duo. 

Their calls are gentle and pleasing, and they often develop strong bonds with their human companions. To ensure their well-being, it’s essential to provide them with a roomy aviary, a well-balanced diet, and regular veterinary check-ups. 

Since they are active and enjoy flying, ample space is necessary. A nutritious diet for a Crimson-bellied Conure should include top-quality pellets, fresh fruits and vegetables, and occasional seeds and nuts.

14. Black-Capped Conure

Black-capped conures, also known as rock parakeets or black-capped parakeets, are small parrots native to Peru, Bolivia, and Brazil’s eastern Andes. They measure around 25 cm in length and have mostly green plumage with white markings on their hindnecks and breasts. 

Black-capped conures are highly sociable creatures, typically forming large groups of 20 to 30 individuals. They are renowned for forming strong bonds with their owners and make wonderful and lively companions, always brimming with energy and offering amusement. 

Given their inquisitive nature, black-capped conures require a variety of toys to keep them engaged and prevent boredom. Interactive toys like bird puzzles can provide them with entertainment. 

They have a fondness for water and take pleasure in bathing and dipping their dry food in water, so it is important to change their water bowl at least twice a day. 

To maintain their health, a black-capped conure should have a balanced diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and pellets, with pellets making up about 75% of their food intake, and the remaining 25% coming from fruits and vegetables.

15. Blue-Crowned Conure

The Blue-Crowned Conure is a medium-sized parrot, measuring 15 to 16 inches from head to the tip of its long, pointed tail. These birds originate from various parts of South America, spanning from eastern Colombia in the north to northern Argentina in the south, inhabiting savannas, woodlands, and rainforests. 

They sport a green body, a blue head, and a light-colored beak. In mature individuals, you’ll find a subdued blue coloring on their forehead, cheeks, and ear areas, and, in some cases, a faint blue wash on the chest. 

Blue-Crowned Conures are sociable birds and exhibit relatively good conversational abilities compared to other conure species. While they are gentle and affectionate, like most conures, they can be quite vociferous. 

They have gained popularity as pets and are often considered one of the more manageable parrot species to care for. Nevertheless, they are intelligent and energetic creatures that demand a considerable amount of attention and a spacious cage filled with toys. 

To fulfill their dietary requirements, it’s important to provide a well-balanced menu comprising fresh fruits, vegetables, and a top-quality pellet mix.