How to Know if a Conure Is Right for You

If you’re looking for a playful, active parrot with plenty of personality, the conure may seem like the perfect bird for you. It is a good idea, however, to consider the conure’s unique behavior and requirements before adopting one. These birds can live up to 30 years and require lots of attention, but in return, they’ll give you plenty of love, affection, and entertainment.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Embracing Conure Behavior

  1. Conures can live between 20 and 30 years in captivity. Do not adopt one if you are not willing to make a long-term commitment to caring for one. If you expect to move or change lifestyles in the next few years, a conure may not be the right bird for you. [1]
    • For instance, if you wish to travel frequently in the coming years you won’t be able to properly care for a conure.
  2. Conures have playful, clownish, and affectionate personalities. While some may not want to be touched, many enjoy sitting on their owner’s shoulders and cuddling up to their face. [2]
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  3. While conures do not talk as much as other types of parrots, they do squawk. They can sometimes express themselves through a series of loud, screeching calls. If you prefer a quiet home, a conure may not be the right pet for you. [3]
    • Some conure species, such as sun conures or nanday conures, are louder than others.
  4. Conures explore everything with their beak. If you get a conure, you will need to keep them stocked with plenty of chew toys, like wooden blocks and vine balls. Keep in mind that even if you give the conure toys, they may still chew on your furniture and clothing. [4]
  5. When a conure is stressed, tired, afraid, or annoyed, they may nip people. While excessive nipping should not be tolerated, you may have to put up with a little nipping, especially while you are training the bird. [5]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Fitting the Bird into Your Lifestyle

  1. While conures can live in cages, they will need time outside of their cage every day to stretch their wings. Before this happens, you may need to bird proof your home. [6]
    • There should be no exposed electrical wires that they can chew.
    • Windows and mirrors should be covered so that your conure does not fly into them.
    • Fans must be turned off and windows closed while the conure is out playing.
    • Long cords and heavy drapes can strangle or suffocate birds.
    • Remove any plants that are toxic to birds, such as foxglove, elephant's ear, lily of the valley, or oleander. [7]
    • Put away anything valuable that you do not want chewed.
  2. Conures need a cage that is at least 24 inches (61 cm) wide, 18 inches (46 cm) long, and 24 inches (61 cm) high. This should be located somewhere with lots of activity, such as a living room. Measure out a place where you can put the cage. [8]
    • Your conure should be able to look out at the room, but keep the cage away from a window, as too much sunlight can cause the bird to overheat. [9]
  3. Conures love activity, and they thrive when there are people around. You should be able to spend several hours a day at home socializing with the conure. If you work long hours, a conure may not be the right pet for you. [10]
    • Likewise, if you travel often, for work or pleasure, you may not be suited to caring for a conure.
  4. Start-up costs for conures can be high, so make sure you have a budget before you begin. The bird itself can cost between $150 and $300. A good cage for a conure will typically cost between $250 and $600. You will also need to pay for: [11]
    • Toys including chew toys, foraging toys, and foot toys.
    • Perches.
    • Medical care from an avian vet.
    • A varied diet of pellets, fresh greens, and fruit. [12]
  5. Conures are great family birds as they love the bustle of a busy household. Just make sure to teach your children how to properly handle a conure. Keep in mind that if the children frightens or hurts the conure, the conure may nip the child, but this should not harm the child. [13]
    • Other pets, such as cats and dogs, must also be carefully watched. If your other pets are aggressive towards small animals, a conure may not be a good addition to the household.
    • Keep in mind that a bird might not be an ideal pet if someone in the house has a weak immune system or is on chemotherapy. Conures can carry infection without being sick themselves, and could pose a risk to someone without a strong immune system. [14]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Choosing the Right Type of Conure

  1. There are over 40 different varieties of conure. Each variety has unique markings, and some may have different temperaments. Look into different species of conure to find the right one for you. Common pet varieties include: [15]
    • Sun conures
    • Green-cheeked conures
    • Nanday conures
    • Dusky conures
    • Jenday conures
    • Mitred conures
  2. Sun conures are stunning creatures prized for their orange, yellow, and green feathers. These show-stoppers are also the most common type of conure, so they are easy to find and purchase. They are, however, one of the chattier varieties of conure. [16]
    • Sun conures are also sometimes known as sun parakeets.
    • They might also be able to be trained to speak a few words.
    • Jenday conures are considered to be very similar in temperament to sun conures, but they have slightly different coloring. They may be a good alternative.
  3. Green-cheeked and dusky conures are some of the quieter types of conure. While they likely won’t learn how to talk, they are very energetic. They can provide you with the endless fun of a conure without as much noise. [17]
    • These varieties may be a better choice if you live in an apartment. They are also a good choice for families with small children. [18]
  4. Nanday conures are extremely hardy birds who can adapt well to different environments. They are, however, one of the loudest varieties of conure. Do not adopt one if you live in a shared space, such as an apartment building. [19]
    • If you don't mind their loud cries, Conures make for a very intelligent and personable pet.
  5. While conures may not be as good at speaking as some other types of parrots, a mitred conure may be able to learn human words more easily than other types of conures. These red-headed conures are extremely energetic, however, and will require more daily stimulation.
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      Tips

      • If you know someone with a conure, you may want to visit them to see if you like playing with their conure.
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      Warnings

      • Like other species of parrots, conures like to squawk, screech, and talk. While they should not be constantly screaming, you should not punish a bird for making noise.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/parrots-and-parakeets/conures.htm
      2. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/parrots-and-parakeets/conures.htm
      3. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/conuresaspets.html
      4. ↑ https://rightpet.com/breed-species/bird/green-cheeked-conure
      5. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/conuresaspets.html
      6. ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1912&aid=3110
      7. ↑ https://www.petco.com/content/content-hub/home/articlePages/01/bird-safety-poisonous-and-safe-plants-for-birds.html
      8. ↑ https://rightpet.com/breed-species/bird/green-cheeked-conure
      9. ↑ https://www.pbspettravel.co.uk/blog/sun-conure-care/
      1. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/conuresaspets.html
      2. ↑ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=15+1794&aid=1516
      3. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=j3E_3AL7liQC&lpg=PT32&dq=conure&pg=PT17#v=onepage&q&f=false
      4. ↑ https://www.beautyofbirds.com/conuresaspets.html
      5. ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/birds.html
      6. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/parrots-and-parakeets/conures.htm
      7. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/parrots-and-parakeets/conures.htm
      8. ↑ http://www.petuniversity.com/birds/parrots-and-parakeets/conures.htm
      9. ↑ http://www.theparrotsocietyuk.org/pet-parrots/a-complete-beginners-guide
      10. ↑ https://rightpet.com/breed-species/bird/nanday-conure

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