The Green-cheeked Conure, also known as the Green-cheeked Parakeet, is a small parrot species that is endemic to the forest of South America. This comical, outgoing pet bird appreciated a lot of playing and attention. If you are in for a bird that possesses these characteristics, the Green-cheeked Conure may be the perfect pet bid for you! If you want to know more details and care information about this bird, make sure to read further!
History
The Green-cheeked Conure is endemic to South America, particularly in the woodland areas and forests of Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. This bird lives in flocks of 10 to 20 birds atop of trees.
Green-cheeked Conures are popular pet birds due to their small size, intelligence, high availability, and affordability. They breed easily, which is why they are abundant in the pet trade.
Characteristics of a Green-cheeked Conure
Average size: Around 10 inches
Average weight: 2 to 3 ounces
Average life span: More than 30 years in captivity
The Green-cheeked Conure is one of the smallest conures, which shares almost the same characteristics with the Maroon-bellied Conure, a close relative. They share similar appearances; however, Green-cheeked Conures are a little bit brighter in color, have gray barring on their chests that fades into a subtle reddish belly. Green-cheeked Conures have dark gray feet and beak.
Male and female Green-cheeked Conures share the same coloring—possessing bright red feathers in their chests and tails, bright green coloration on their backs and top of wings, olive green around the red patch on their chests, whitish ring around their necks, black markings on the head, and lastly, olive green circles on their cheeks. Professional breeders made it possible for several color variations such as yellow-sided, turquoise, and cinnamon, among others.
Like most parrots, Green-cheeked Conures are playful and sociable, but they can be uncooperative and nippy sometimes. Despite this, they are among the most easy-going and quiet conure species. While most can’t talk, some Green-cheeked Conures can be trained to do simple tricks and learn a few words.
Caring for a Green-cheeked Conure
While Green-cheeked Conures appear low-maintenance, the truth is, not anyone can properly take good care of this species. Taking care of a Green-cheeked Conure is a long-term commitment, which requires daily interaction, socialization, exercise, food, and enclosure. A minimum of two hours of interaction and playing outside the cage is required for your pet bird to grow healthily.
Before purchasing a pet bird, check animal rescue shelters and organizations for birds that are ready for adoption. Before adopting, make sure to ask the caretakers about their habits, general health, other needs, and health issues, if any. If you are getting a bird from a professional breeder, make sure to ask the same questions.
Your pet bird would require a spacious cage measuring 2 in square and 30 in high with metal bars spaced .5 to .75 in apart. The bigger enclosure, the better—it provides a large space for your pet bird to flap its wings, exercise, and simply play around. Provide various perch sizes to help keep your pet bird’s feet and legs healthy.
A single Green-cheeked Conure can be housed with another bird of the same species, but make sure to increase the size of the cage. Never house two different bird species because they can be aggressive with each other.
The Green-cheeked Conure is always full of silly antics. It usually hangs upside-down and creates clamor along the cage bars, as if asking the owner to play with it. It is quite a mischief-maker, so remember to keep an eye on them. Children would also enjoy playing with this bird, too, since this pet bird is small enough for their little hands to handle. However, monitor closely, as your bird can bite.
In the wild, Green-cheeked Conures feed on vegetables, seeds, fruits, and insects. In captivity, they should be given a similar diet, although you can completely eradicate insects from their diet. For optimal health, provide your pet bird with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, and supplement the diet with a premium pelleted diet. A fairly easy way to incorporate various foods to their diet is to use chop concept, which is characterized by creating a salad mixture in advance.