Cactus Conures aka Caatinga Parakeets

Aratinga Conure Info ... Aratingas as Pets ... Aratinga Conure Species

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Diseases of the Conure ... Conure Nutrition / Foods

Cactus Conures aka Caatinga Parakeets (Aratinga cactorum) are endemic to the South American rainforests of the southeast Brazil, specifically the State of Bahia. In the wild, they feed primarily on cactus seeds (hence its name), as well as fruit and berries.

Description:

Cactus Conures average 10 to 11 inches (25 to 26cm) in length (from head to the tip of the tail.

The plumage is green above, while the face and throat is brown. The head is brownish-green, gradually turning olive down the back and on the wings. There is a lighter brown under the chin, turning to orange rust below the breast.

Personality:

Cactus Conures are said to make great pets; being hardy, easily tamed, amusing and generally friendly and affectionate. This conure gets along relatively well with other conures and therefore does well in aviary communities. However, provided they are well socialized, they will readily accept a human family as their flockmates.

Conures as Pets (Suitability, Personality, Pros & Cons, Care Requirements)

Breeding / Reproduction:

The hen lays 3 to 4 white eggs, incubation lasts 28 to 30 days. The young fledge after about 40 days.

Below are the dimensions of nesting boxes usually used for these conures. However, the dimensions can vary widely, as they are influenced by the owner's and the birds' preferences.  The preferences of the breeding birds can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared. 

If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

Log / Nest-box:

Marcy Covault from Feathered Companions Aviary suggests using a deeper box, either a bootbox or a vertical grandfather box (18" - 24" deep). Some conures do accept cockatiel-sized boxes, but using a deeper box will reduce the conures' tendency to remove the shavings and lay their eggs on the bare wooden base.

• Length / depth: approx. 16 - 24 inches (400 - 600 mm)


• Log / nest-box internal dimensions approx.  10 inches square (250 mm square)


• Diameter of entrance hole: approx. 3 inches ( ~70 - 80 mm)


• Inspection hole: Can be square or round, approx. 4 inches (100 mm) in diameter.


• A Removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.


• Location and height of log / nest-box: Install in a sheltered part of the aviary at about 5 feet (~1.5 - 1.8 meters) height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months.


• Angle of log or nest box: 45 degrees through to vertical.  Most boxes are vertical.


• Nesting log / nest-box material: Add about 2 inches of decomposed suitable nest box litter to the bottom of the box to help stabilize the eggs and absorb the droppings from the chicks.
  
  Options for suitable nesting material are decomposed non-toxic saw dust, corn cob, shredded newspaper, clean straw / dried grass or wood shavings (i.e., Aspen shavings or wood chips). The larger wood chips the better, so the parents don't feed it to the babies or the chicks accidentally ingest it.
  
  Please note that some wood shavings - such as pine, cedar and redwood - give off aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) and acids that are toxic and can cause dermatitis, allergic symptoms and irritation of the digestive tract. They should not be used in cages, aviaries, or nestboxes.


• Incubation: Both hen and cock share in incubating the eggs.

Conures have a habit of removing all the nest box material and laying their eggs on the bare wooden base.

Nest inspection is generally not tolerated.  If nest inspection is necessary, wait till both parents have left the nest.  They can be aggressive and protective of the nest area when breeding.

For additional breeding-related information, please visit this website.

Taxonomy:

Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga

Species: Scientific: Aratinga cactorum cactorum aka Eupsittula cactorum cactorum ... English: Cactus Conure ... Dutch: Cactusparkiet ... German: Kaktussittich ... French: Perruche de cactus

Nominate Species and Sub-Species: cactorum, caixana ... CITES II - Endangered

Sub-species:

Pale Cactus Conures: Please scroll up for additional information

Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga

Species: Scientific: Aratinga cactorum caixana aka Eupsittula cactorum caixana ... English: Pale Cactus Conure ... Dutch: Bleke Cactusparkiet ... German: Blasser Kaktussittich ... French: Perruche de cactus Caixana ... CITES II - Endangered

Distribution: North-eastern Brazil

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