Green cheek conure or green-cheeked conure is a South American species of parrot, known for its playful behavior. The small bird is a complete entertaining package itself, providing its owner with endless fun and joy. Usually, these birds are good as pets, but as with every bird, there are some pros and cons attached of raising one, so, think twice before adopting a green cheek conure, especially if you live in an apartment.
Green Cheek Conure
Quick Information |
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| Also known as | Green-cheeked parakeet, Green-cheeked conure |
| Color | Mostly green body with grayish black head, red and blue feathers throughout the body |
| Size | Around 10-11 inches (25.4-28 cm) |
| Weight | 60-80 g (2-3 oz) |
| Subspecies |
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| Distribution | Northwestern Argentina, eastern and northern Brazil, western Paraguay, and southern and west central parts of Mato Grosso of Brazil |
| Habitat | Woodlands and forests |
| Diet | Vegetables, fruits, seeds and insects |
| Breeding season | August-October |
| Breeding age | Around 1 year |
| Clutch size | 4-6 eggs |
| Incubation period | 22-25 days |
| First molt | After 8 months |
| Fledging | 50-51 days |
| Lifespan | Around 30 years |
| IUCN conservation status | Least Concern |
| Temperament as pets | Jovial and agile |
| Maintenance requirement | Seeks moderate attention |
| Noise level | Can be very noisy at times |
| Talking ability | Low to medium |
Cinnamon Green Cheek Conure
Turquoise Green Cheek Conure
Mutations
- Cinnamon
- Yellow-sided
- American dilute
- Turquoise
- Suncheek (a mix of yellow-sided/cinnamon/American dilute)
- Pineapple (a mix of yellow-sided and cinnamon)
Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
As pets
Housing
A hanging cage sizing 24″W x 24″Dx 30″H along with a metal bar spacing of ½” is its ideal home. Choose a place where natural light and air have good access. Make sure there are some perches with a length of 9” and a diameter of ½,” cage swings, and ladders inside the cage. They are the best toys and equipment your conure can have. Moreover, the perches will help in beak grinding and nail shaping.
Also, place a metal grate and a dropping tray underneath the cage to keep both the cage and its dweller clean and far from getting contaminated from the waste.
For nesting, prepare a cardboard nesting box sizing 15”X 15” X5” and fill the surface with shredded papers.
Temperature
Keep your green-cheeked conure within a range of 65°F-80°F. The bird is good in acclimatizing in moderate temperatures and susceptible to extreme changes.
Green Cheek Conures
Green Cheeked Conure
Personality and behavior
This bird enjoys the association of its owner and kids in the house. With an urge of showing several tricks like lying on its back, hanging from the cage, head bobbing, kissing, acrobatics, dancing, and singing, this will keep you amused for a long time. Some green-cheeked conures love to be petted often. Usually, this bird enjoys living in a pair, but housing with a bird of different species is not appreciated by it. Talking is not its forte, but since it receives training well, a few individuals can say some words. It also takes pleasure in foraging toys and simulation activities.
It often shows its discontent by puffing up its back requiring immediate attention afterward.
Green cheek conures can be potty trained easily as it wiggles its butt, lowers the head and keeps on lifting the wings before pooping so, whenever you see such body language, choose a word to utter. Now repeatedly do this for several days and make the bird recognize that whenever you say the word, it is time to go to the potty. This way it will not poop over your shirt whenever you place it on your shoulder.
Feeding
Its weaning age starts from 8 to 12 weeks. Give your conure its favorite fresh vegetables, fruits (strawberries, bananas, lemon, and orange) and fortified seeds every day. Occasional treats, not high in fat and sugar, will also do. Pellet based diets are also recommended for these birds. Avocado and chocolate are to be avoided as they create toxicity in the birds.
Green Cheek Conure Cage
Baby Green Cheek Conure
Care
Interacting with your bird elevates its mood and keeps boredom at bay. You have to be careful about its movements, especially when it is outside the cage as the intelligent bird can unlock stuff, causing minor wounds on their body in the process. Attending to its every need is the only mantra to flourish the bond between you and the bird.
You must keep the cage, water and food bowls clean. Always provide chlorine free and filtered water to bathe your pet. Clipping flight feathers from professionals is also necessary.
Health problems
Chlamydiosis, polyomavirus, diarrhea and feather plucking might affect your pet, and that is when a vet comes to rescue. Keep in touch with a professional vet if you see coughing, throwing up, shivering, swollen eyes, nasal discharge, soiled feathers, beak swelling, appetite and weight loss in your pet.
Price
Their average price ranges from $149 to $450, depending on the mutations.
Green Cheek Conure Bird
Green Cheek Conure Parrot
Interesting Facts
- Green cheek conures have a striking resemblance with maroon-bellied conures and so both the species are confused with each other.
- Sometimes the mutations are called fancy green cheek conure by breeders.
- Their coloration gets darker from one generation to other.
Talking and Squawking Green Cheek Conure video
References
I am not sure if this is the correct place to find out about buying or of the conures. Which type would fall in the 140.00 range. Really looking for one for my 18 year old son. He has been really wanting one. You can contact me via email sherry_wildlife@yahoo.com, or phone text 501 6124510. Thank you very much.
Hi, Sherry! Unfortunately, we do not sell, but you might browse through the conure category on the website and decide which one to get accordingly. We hope your son gets to welcome a friendly conure soon.