Green-cheeked Conures aka Yellow Sided Conures
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The Greencheek Conure, or Green-cheeked Parakeet, is native to west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, through northern and the highlands of eastern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. They prefer forest areas, where they form big flocks and can often be seen at treetop level. This conure is endangered in its natural habitat (CITES II). In the wild, they eat various seeds and fruits and probably other kinds of vegetable matter.
Description:
The Green-cheeked Conure is primarily green, with a grey breast, dark head, maroon tail and blue flight feathers. Its normal weight is about 70 g; its average length (including tail) is 10 inches (25 cm).
They are very similar to the Maroon-bellied Parakeet or Conure (P. frontalis).
They reach maturity at 1 to 3 years -- the smaller Conures mature more quickly. In a safe, healthy environment, they can expect to live up to 35 to 40 years.
Personality:
I love all Conures but am particularly fond of the Green-cheek Conures. The Green Conures have big personalities for such small birds. They have become a favorite in the pet trade because of their sweet personalities and fun disposition. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent.
Talking Ability:
Green cheeks are not considered the best talkers. However, some particularly smart green cheeks learned to talk quite well, according to their owners. The majority of green cheeks say only a few things, and there is no guarantee that they will ever learn to talk. They also have soft and gravelly voices, so even if they try to talk, they may not say anything understandable. But there are also some green cheeks who talk a lot. If you talk to some smart greencheeks in context they often learn to speak in context (i.e. "good night" at night, "bye bye" when you leave for work in the morning, "hello" when they greet you).
Despite their reputation for not being the "best talkers" some talented greencheeks do exist, as can be exemplified by the input from several Avianweb visitors:
"My greencheek is a very talented talker, "with an extensive vocabulary and clear elocution."
Evelyn Blackburn, describes her pet greencheeks as follows:
" ... they both can talk, not real good, but they talk. The male says 'Lokee pretty bird' and the female says her name, Sweet Pea and baby. She can also say '"mommy, daddy, and Max' . She also sings along with a song my husband made for her. It goes Sweet Pea baby bee the bird (all of which she says along in the song in the right spots along with throwing a kiss). Her favorite word is 'baby' which she can say in several different voices."
Another webvisitor, Lorraine Gordon, states: "Green Cheek Conures are great talkers."
They are cuddly birds:
It is said that they are second only to the cockatoos in terms of cuddliness. They like to be held (although some like it more than others) and can learn tricks such as lying on their backs and "kissing." However, individual differences do exist, as some green conures will accept cuddling only on their terms. But these are the exception to the rule. Most seem to thoroughly enjoy cuddling whenever their favorite human is available.
They are all play
They are very active parrots that like to play, explore and chew. Lots of toys are recommended to keep their beaks from "getting busy" on your furniture.
- Toys can be home-made or purchased online or are available at your local bird store.
- Toys can also be things that I bet you never thought were toys at all! Please refer to the foraging page for easy, inexpensive or FREE tips to entertain your pet.
Smart Little Birds!
Most will hold their own with any of the mid-sized or medium-large parrots in terms of smartness. They are also, like most parrots, very smart and can be taught simple tricks pretty easily and more complicated tricks with some work.
How much attention do they need?
Like all parrots, the green cheeks are social birds. They do require daily interaction with their social group, entertainment, things to do -- or else they will become bored and develop behavioral problems. In the wild, they would never leave the company of their flockmates. In a captive pet situation, a hand-fed conure requires the same social interaction from you and your family.
If you have little time to give, a parrot would not be a good choice for you. You would need someone at home several hours a day at a minimum, preferably someone should be home most of the day. I would recommend that there be people at home, with the bird, for at least several hours every day or the majority of day.
It's best to keep your pet conure where the center of activity is, usually the family room, and leave the cage door open or allow your pet to be on a playpen whenever someone is at home. During this time some direct interaction should be provided, such as talking to your pet, petting it, or placing it on your shoulder while you surf the internet, watch tv or go about your other activities. My parrot even joins me in the gym!
Do they make good family pets?
In general, conures make good family pets as long as they have been well socialized. They don't mind a lot of activity - in fact, the more "fun stuff" is going on, the more entertained and happier they tend to be. They usually get along well with all family members, although they are likely to eventually choose a favorite; but as long as they are exposed to, and socialized by, other family members, they should maintain their friendliness with the others. Conures love to be touched and handled - another reason why they often do well with kids.
However, they go through nippy phases that can be hard on children as well as on adults. Teaching the child appropriate handling of the conure will help prevent some painful experiences - however, it will never entirely eliminate them. The tamest pet bird gets startled and bites - without this being a true reflection on its personality. It's a natural reaction. Experienced pet owners learn to read the body language of their pets and can avoid most of these "accidental encounters." Training is important to prevent an accidental bite from turning into a behavioral problem.
It is difficult to instruct smaller children on proper parrot handling, and their interactions with the conure should always be supervised. But children who have learned to handle the conure gently and confidently usually don't have a big problem with aggression. How well the child-parrot interaction goes really depends on the maturity level of the child, as well as the proper socialization-level of the parrot. Admittedly though, some genetics come into play as well. Some individual parrots are more aggressive than others. Often this is a family trait and one parrot pair produces sweet babies, while others produce nippy offspring. Sweet babies can turn nippy, if not socialized well, and nippy (usually nervous / fearful birds) can be taught to be good family pets. Birds do pick up on stress and anger that we humans may feel and this can impact their personality and likelihood to be aggressive towards us. It is always best to approach a bird calmly and focus on, and enjoy, the interaction with the parrot rather than reflecting on problems in your life. Doing so will actually be conducive to your own health, as it will help you relax.
There never will be a guarantee that a meaningful relationship between the children in the family and the pet parrot develops and if things don't go well, the conure may end up being a pet for the adults only. For this reason, it is not recommended to buy a parrot as a pet for the kids - this needs to be a family pet, with the adults taking on most of the responsibility.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Green-cheeked Conures can be noisy (although less so than other conures). They can be prone to biting, particularly when young, but an owner can cure this behavior with patience and time. Behavioral issues can be avoided or minimized with proper handling and socialization.
Conures in general present their challenges and they are not the best "starter" birds, although some species are easier to keep than others, as is the case with the green cheek. It is, however, really important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established.
Conures are known for their loud and harsh calls, which is a natural way of communication and social interaction and shouldn't be "trained away" -- however, they can develop into excessive screamers, which really requires early intervention. Noise is less of a problem with green cheeks, although their call can be irritating to sensitive ears.
Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation. Behavioral challenges that conures present include:
- Chewing / Destructiveness: Green cheeks will chew on wood, on paper or, in fact, on anything that their beak can destroy. If you have something that you don't want chewed, don't allow your pet around it! Any parrot will chew. This is natural behavior. In nature, they use their beak to "customize" their favorite tree, to enlarge the size of their nest in a tree hollow. Doing this keeps their beaks in good condition. Provide ample opportunities for chewing, specifically bird toys, natural branches, etc. The problem only is EXCESSIVE and undesirable chewing.
- Biting: Conures can become nippy. Like most parrots they are likely to discover their beaks as a method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage." This being said, some green cheeks never bite a person in their lives; and most green cheeks bite very rarely, but may do so during certain periods in their lives or under certain circumstances. However, there are a few green cheeks who are very aggressive and will bite quite a lot. It depends on the individual, and also a great deal on how that individual was raised and socialized. Nippiness and biting are probably the most common behavioral complaint from green cheek owners. It really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before undesirable habits have been established.
- The "Noise" Factor: Along with other Pyrrhura conures, they are only moderately loud, therefore making acceptable pets for apartment dwellers for the most part. However, green-cheeks are still noisy enough to potentially upset the neighbors of apartment dwellers or annoy those that are sensitive to noise. Like other conures, they tend to express excitement with a series of loud, shrill screams.
Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be ...
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a "parrot behavioral issue" please share it with others.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
If you are considering a conure as a pet, the following web resources might be of interest:
- Procuring your Parrot
- Breeders:
- Michigan / SW: Silver Cloud Aviary - http://www.silvercloudaviary.com
- Breeds: African Greys (TAG & CAG), Amazons (DYH, Mexican Red-Headed, Lilac- Crowned, Yellow-Naped), Cockatiels, Conures (Green Cheek [Pineapple, Cinnamon, Yellow-Sided, Turquoise and Normals] and Sun Conures), Eclectus (SI) and Rosellas (Stanley/Western) - Ship (weather permitting)
- NC, Kings Mountain: Yvonne Ely - http://www.mybirdsnests.com - e-mail: ncvon53@bellsouth.net
- Breeds: Catalina Macaw, Quaker Parrots (Blue and Green); Cockatiels ( Whiteface Lutino, Whiteface Cinnamon Lutino, Cinnamon Pearl, Whiteface Pearl); Parrotlets (Blue & Yellow, American Dilute Blue - White; Green splits); Green Cheek Conures - No Shipping
- Ohio, Columbia Station: Dr. Geoff Gammon - Certified Avian Specialist; Forest Park Aviaries
Address: Royalton Road, Columbia Station, Ohio 44028, Tel: 440-236-6355 - Websites: http://www.forestparkaviaries.com/ , http://www.birdbreedersinternational.com/index.html, http://www.tropicalbirds.org/,http://www.forestparkaffiliates.com/index.html- Breeds: Pacific Parrotlets (green, blue, yellow, split mutations); Quaker Parrots (green, blue mutation); Senegal Parrots; and various species of Conures (Suns, Green-cheeks and their several mutations, Brown-throats, Peach-fronts, Cherry-heads, etc.) - Will Ship
- Breeds: Pacific Parrotlets (green, blue, yellow, split mutations); Quaker Parrots (green, blue mutation); Senegal Parrots; and various species of Conures (Suns, Green-cheeks and their several mutations, Brown-throats, Peach-fronts, Cherry-heads, etc.) - Will Ship
- Click here for a Breeders Index
- Do you breed this species and would like to be listed? Click here to see your options.
- Michigan / SW: Silver Cloud Aviary - http://www.silvercloudaviary.com
- Housing & Caring for Your Conure: Conures love to climb and play and need to be provided with a cage that allows them to move around freely and toys to entertain themselves with. Please refer to the following websites for information:
Breeding / Reproduction:
Several beautiful mutations of the green-cheek conure have been bred in aviculture, including the cinnamon yellow-sided and the pineapple -- both of which are featured to the right. Those two mutations are easily confused -- please refer to the insightful article "Is it a 'Cinnamon' or a 'Pineapple'?" Marcy Covaul, President, Pyrrhura Breeders Association, for more information.
They reach sexual maturity around one years of age. Many can be sexually mature earlier - but it is not wise to breed them younger than a year.
The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. Sex undeterminable by appearance.
These conures are fairly easy to breed. 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: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable materials. Please note that wood shavings such as cedar and redwood are toxic and should not be used in cages, aviaries, or nestboxes. Pine or aspen shavings are safer for use as nestbox substrate.
- 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: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge
Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura molinae molinae ... English: Green-cheeked Conure, Molina Conure ... Dutch: Groenwangparkiet ... German: Grünwangen Rotschwanzsittich, Molinasittich ... French: Perruche molinea
Sub-Species: molinae, phoenicura, sordida, restricta, australis
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots ... Riley the Green Cheek Conures ... Yellow-Sided Conures ... The FeatherTree: Yellow-sides Green Cheeks
Sub-species:
Description: As Greencheek above, but breast feathers more olive; green to lower breast and flanks slightly duller; reddish colour to abdomen stronger and more extensive; under tail-coverts with less blue. Immature characteristics as nominate type
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge
Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura molinae australis ... English: Argentinia Conures, Southern Green-cheeked Conures ... Dutch: Argentinië Groenwangparkiet ... German: Argentinien Grünwangen Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche molinea d'Argentin
Distribution: Tarija, Southern Bolivia, North-western Argentina
CITES II - Endangered
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Description: As Greencheek above, but green to base of tail upperside is extensive and not completely concealed by upper tail-coverts; on average smaller. Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins)
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge
Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura molinae phoenicura ... English: Crimson-tailed Conure ... Dutch: Schlegels Groenwangparkiet ... German: Schlegels Grünwangen Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche molinea Schlegel
Distribution: West-central Mato Grosso, Brazil, North-eastern Bolivia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Description: As Greencheek above, but generally paler; cheeks in some birds faintly tinged with blue; breast dull brownish-white with indistinct pale edging; red to abdomen less prominent. Immatures with little red to abdomen; generally much duller and less striking. Length: 26 cm (10 ins).
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge
Species: Scientific:Pyrrhura molinae hypoxantha aka Pyrrhura hypoxantha / Pyrrhura molinae sordida ... English: Sordid Conure, Yellow-sided Conure ... Dutch: Geelborst-Groenwangparkiet ... German: Mato Grosso Grünwangen Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche molinea Bolivia
Distribution: Urucúm and Corumbá, South-western Mato Grosso, Brazil
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 4 - click on link to view photo.)
Description: As Greencheek Conures above, but cheeks, band to nape, sides of body, under tail-coverts and some of upper wing-coverts suffused with blue; on average smaller. Immatures with less red to abdomen and except for cheeks without blue tinge. Average Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins)
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge
Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura molinae restricta ... English: Santa Cruz Conure ... Dutch: Palmarito Groenwangparkiet ... German: Palmarito Grünwangen Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche molinea Todd
Distribution: Palmarito, Chiquitos, Bolivia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 5 - click on link to view photo.)
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with the AvianWeb visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the AvianWeb Webmaster.
Photo contributions and articles are welcome!
