Habitat
Diet
Cage
Personality
|
|
|
Conures' range/habitats are quite large and varied, from dry semi-desert, savannahs,
and woodland forests to equatorial rain forests; stretching from Mexico in the north through to Argentina in the
south plus east to include some Caribbean Islands, plus almost every country in between. Conures feed on the wild
blossoms, native and cultivated fruit, berries, seeds and insects. Some species cause the local farmers problems
in eating seed and fruit crops and for over a hundred years have been exported to many countries; e.g. USA, United
Kingdom and Australia.
|
For years seeds have played a role as the staple diet of pet birds, but in the past several years
pelleted, or extruded, diets have grown in popularity. The case for pelleted diets is strong. They are formulated
specifically for a bird's nutritional needs, akin to processed foods for dogs and cats, and unlike with fortified
seed mixes, a conure can't hunt and peck for favorite seeds, so she is guaranteed to get a proper balance of nutrients.
However, they can be difficult, if not impossible, to introduce to an older bird. Many pet conures fed with just
seed mixes that have lived to be over 20 years old. Without going into specific seed combination, any one of the
brand name parrot seed mixes will suffice, supplemented with fresh fruits and veggies.
Note: Green, dark leafy vegetables are better for birds
than fruits; spinach, kale, broccoli, carrots, and sweet potato. DO NOT FEED
AVOCADOS
Note Water soluble vitamins tend
to break down from sunlight as they are left in a bird's water, and they can cause bacterial growth (guess they
make something healthy). Powdered vitamins, sprinkled on seeds, are wasted: 'tiels remove the hull of their seeds
just before eating them, removing the vitamin coat.
Grit, along with those vitamins, is found in many pet
stores and in those starter kits that come with many parrot cages. Grit, along with those vitamins, is unnecessary,
and potentially dangerous to conures. A lot of people with tell you that pet birds need grit to aid their gizzards
to grind up food. However, conures and other hookbills hull the seeds they eat, so their gizzards do not need the
extra abrasion grit provides. Insoluble grit will stay in the gizzard, and can cause intestinal disorders -- even
death. |
| Conures are not fussy, but the minimum size is twenty-four inches wide x thirty-six inches high
x thirty-six inches long aviary. Nest box: a fifteen inch cube with two or three hands full of small sticks one
inch diameter x six inch long in willow, apple or peach or any non toxic tree. |
| A personality plus. Conures can be taught to do tricks; nearly all conures have tremendous voices,
and often become excellent and affectionate pets if tamed early. Conures are also fair talkers. They are VERY loud. |
|
|
|
