Sun Conures
Description:
The Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis) is a small to medium sized parrot that is native to the north-eastern coastal forests of South America, specifically northeastern Brazil and Guyana. The Sun Conure is a very easily recognisable parrot being a strikingly beautiful bird with red/orange/yellow feathers over most of the body. The wings have a slight green on the wings. They are also one of the more nosier members of the Conure family.
Diet:
Sun Conures should be fed a good quality seed mix with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Most fruits and vegetables people eat will be eaten by Conures. I find that they love corn-on-the-cob and the remaining core turns into a play toy for them. Thawed frozen vegetables can be used when fresh is not available.
I feed my Sun Conures a custom made seed mix that includes Vetafarm pellets and dried fruit and nut in addition to any in-season fruit and vegetables and sprouted seed mixes.
Breeding:
Sun Conures hit sexual maturity around 2-3 years of age. The sexing of Sun Conures can only be reliably done via DNA or Surgical sexing as both sexes look visually the same.
Sun Conures typically produce one to two clutches per year if they are in good health and have access to good quality food. Each clutch contains three to five eggs which hatch after a 25-27 day incubation period. The chicks fledge at around 8 weeks old, and are fully weaned when they are between 8-11 weeks old.
Sun Conures as Pets:
I find that Sun Conures make great pets. The only downside to owning a Sun Conure is that they can be a very very noisy parrot so not suitable if you live in an apartment building or unit. They are a very affectionate and cheeky bird and are a good bird for children and adults alike.
Like all birds, without constant stimulation and enrichment, behavioural problems can arise. I suggest that you rotate a selection of toys and fresh natural branches through their environment every month to ensure that they aren't just seeing the same things every day. Not providing birds with an interesting and changing environment leads to boredom and that's when the problems can start.
