Green-Cheeked Conure

The Green-cheeked conure is a favorite among bird novices because of its relatively low pricesmall staturetemperamentand relatively low noise levelat least compared to its larger cousins. The green-cheeked conure breeds fairly easily and as a result is readily available. The Green-cheeked conure is one of the smallest conures and is often confused with the maroon-bellied conure (Pyrrhura frontalis)a close relative. These birds are so similar in appearance that they are often identified incorrectly by pet stores or even their owners. They are the same sizeabout 10 inches longand both are primarily green. The green-cheeked conure is a bit brighter in color than the maroon-bellied conure and has gray barring on its chestfading into a slightly reddish belly. The maroon belly has a golden barring on its chest and distinctheart-shaped maroon shading on its belly — hence the name. Both have a dark gray beak and feet. They are most easily confused when they are youngbefore their full color comes in after the first molt.

The green-cheeked conure is found in wild in BrazilBoliviaArgentina and Paraguaywhere it inhabits forests and woodland areas.

The novice and the experienced bird owner alike will enjoy the green-cheeked conure as a pet. This bird may not be for the very beginnerthough someone who has experience properly caring for a parakeet or other small bird may be ready for this easy-going bird. Green cheeks are not known to be nippyand are particularly affectionate. Because green-cheeked conures are highly affectionate and love their owners intenselythey need an owner that is able to give them a great deal of time out of the cage. With some attention on a daily basiseven paired green cheeks will maintain their pet quality. If you don’t have another green cheekyou can pair this bird with a maroon-bellied conurebut don’t allow them to breed. The green-cheeked conure will generally live peacefully with conures of similar sizethough will not readily tolerate smaller birdsand might be in danger from the aggression of a larger bird.

A green-cheeked conure should be offered a nutritionally balanced manufactured dietsupplemented with fresh vegetablesfruit and healthy table foods. Conures have busy beakswhich makes Lafeber foods a conure favorite. Lafeber’s Avi-CakesPellet-Berries and Nutri-Berries offer balanced nutrition that appeals to a conure’s chewing needs. A green-cheeked conure can live up to 25 years or more with proper care.

The green-cheeked  conure is a little clownalways full of antics. These birds love to hang upside-down and clamor along the cage barswaiting for their owners to play with them. Green cheeks are mischief-makersso keep an eye on your bird at all times. This is a good bird for childrenas it is small enough for little hands to handle and is generally good-natured. Howeverrealize that any bird can biteand little fingers are tender. Always use caution around birds and childrenespecially for the bird’s sake.

Owners love the green cheek for its relative quietness compared to other conures. It is not as loud or as frequent in its callingbut it will make some noise. Green-cheeked conures have been known to talkand some are able to learn quite a few wordsbut they are generally not prized for their talking abilities.

Conuresincluding green-cheeked conures can be prone to feather picking. If a complete medical exam rules out medical causes of feather pluckingboredom and/or lack of appropriate mental stimulation can be a cause. Offer your green-cheeked conure an enriched environment with plenty of opportunities for play and foragingas well as a staple supply of safe items to chew. Conures are also susceptible to Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD)Psittacine Beak and Feather DiseasePsittacosisbeak malocclusion and Aspergillosis. Regular health checkups by an avian veterinarian are crucial to your conure’s healthas they can help diagnose and treat many disease processes early on. 

Green-cheeked conures are one of the most commonly available conure species available as a pet. They can be found in large pet storesas well as from avian specialty stores and through bird breeders. They are also often available for adoption from avian rescue and adoption organizations. A hand-raisedpeople-socialized green-cheeked conure can make an excellent family pet.

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