Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure (Everything You Need to Know)
Last Updated on March 11, 2024 by Ali Shahid
Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure is a rare sex-linked Opaline mutation of Green Cheek Conure. They have green feathers, Grey heads, and a red and yellow chest. First observed in the US, these intelligent birds are very friendly, docile, lovable, and easily adjustable to a family.
They produce soft and low sounds which makes them ideal for apartments. These birds are very easy to tame and a hand-raised Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure can be trained to perform various tricks like sitting on a hand, lying on the back, etc.
They can mimic some sounds but are not known for mimicking humans and are not proficient at talking. It may surprise you to learn that these are the first mutations of the Green Cheek Conure to be identified.
Aside from color and appearance, Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conures are the same as Green Cheek Conures in terms of personality, speech, care, diet, and health problems. Continue reading to find the most exclusive detail about Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure.
Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure
| Overview of Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure | |
| Origin | US |
| Size | 10 Inches |
| Weight | 60-80 Gram (Adult) |
| Colors | Grey head, Green Feathers, Blue Flight Feathers, Red and Yellow Chest |
| Personality | Docile, Friendly, Intelligent, Playful |
| Talking Ability | Poor |
| Noise Level | Low |
| Lifespan | 15-20 Years |
| Price | $699-$799 |
| Status | Rare |
Origin and History
The story of discovering and breeding Yellow Sided is very interesting. In the past, when wild-caught birds were being imported to the United States, some unique colored birds occasionally appeared in shipments of Green-cheeked Conures.
One such color mutation was called the Yellow-sided Conure (Pyrrhura hypoxantha) at that time. Over the course of a few years, dedicated breeders demonstrated that the Yellow-sided Conure was actually a naturally occurring color mutation of the Green-cheeked Conure.
While we still commonly refer to them as Yellow-sided Conures or yellow-sided mutations, the more precise classification is a sex-linked “opaline” mutation. The process of establishing this mutation in U.S. aviculture had its challenges.
Initially, when breeders started working with the opaline mutation, nearly all the resulting colored birds turned out to be female. This was due to the sex-linked nature of the color mutation. It took some time before someone successfully bred a normal-looking male carrying the opaline mutation gene with a mutation-colored female, resulting in mutation-colored male offspring.
The breakthrough paved the way for the establishment of the yellow-sided or opaline mutation of the Green-cheeked Conure in the U.S., becoming the first color mutation in US aviculture.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Europe and South Africa had a substantial demand for these birds, which led to the spread of the opaline mutation globally.
During the same period, breeders cross the Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure with Cinnamon Green cheek Conure which results in the most popular mutation of the Green Cheek Conure known as ‘Pineapple Green Cheek Conure‘.
Colors and Marking
The opaline mutation found in the original Green Cheek Conure species displays incredibly striking coloring, a rarity among conures of similar size and price range. These birds boast an exquisite combination of hues that will surely captivate your heart.
Their wings display a beautiful shade of green, while the flight feathers stand out with a striking deep blue. The back features a delightful green tone, complemented by a soft grey coloration adorning their heads.
What truly sets them apart is their vibrant chest, stomach, and the underside of their wings, adorned with brilliant shades of yellow and red, creating a captivating display of colors. These vivid hues extend to their forehead and cheeks, adding to their overall charm.
While the skin surrounding their eyes is featherless and appears pristine white, their feet and beaks are horn colored. Certainly, the opaline mutation adds a touch of charm to the Green Cheek Conure family, making them a well-loved and highly desirable companion.
Sexual dimorphism isn’t seen here, so males and females look the same. A DNA test is the only method of determining the sex of these parrots.
Personality
The Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure boasts a lovable and intelligent personality, making them an ideal addition to any family, especially for beginners in bird ownership. Their playful and docile nature allows for fun interactions, and their ability to perform amusing tricks brings joy to all.
Rarely nippy, these social birds form strong bonds with their owners. With their soft and low speaking voice, they make excellent pets for apartments.
They are highly affectionate and very interactive, making them a delightful and cherished companion. The lifespan of Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure is 15-20 Years.
From Where You Can Get a Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conure
As I already mentioned, the Yellow-Sided Green Cheek conure is a rare mutation of the Green Cheek Conure and you will have a hard time finding these birds at your local pet stores and breeders.
To breed and raise these special birds, you require a complete understanding of the genetics of this mutation as well as the Care requirement. Therefore, few people in the world raise and sell Opaline Green Cheek conures.
For Instance, Goldencockatoo is one the reputed and popular breeders in the US that have listed Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conures for Sale for $699. In addition, you can also find Yellow-Sided Green Cheek Conures for sale at Parrotstars for $799. You can go to these sites to make a purchase.
