Parrot Feather Mailing List

Sun Conures

Sun Conures as Pets

Then Sun Conure is considered one of the most beautiful parrots kept in captivity.  These small sized parrots are mischievous, friendly, and active. Of all the conures these are the most sought.  They are not too expensive and they make great pets. A properly socialized and tamed conure will enjoy spending time with everyone. 

Watching these conures is a delight to most owners.  They climb about their cages, swing, and hang upside down for laughs.   Many owners find themselves spending hours watching their conure play inside its cage or on its play stand.

Sun Conures will gladly sit on your shoulder or climb around your shirt while doing household duties.  Though strangers do frighten them, it does not take long to warm them up to them.  A few good treats offered by the guest will do the trick.  

These birds are great at performing tricks and will easily do so for affection or treats.   They can turn around, flap their wings, or open their tail.  More complex tricks such as placing coins into a bottle, pushing carts, or ringing bells can easily be learned too.  Use positive reinforcement and always reward good behavior. 

Though they can learn tricks rather easily they are not good talkers.   Some might learn to speak, but most do not.  Their voices are somewhat clear and raspy, often sounding like and old man.  This conure can pickup a few words if worked with.

Housing A Sun Conure

There cage should be as large as your budget can afford and filled with toys.  Giving the Sun Conure a large cage will allow adequate exercise while you are away.  The cage should be situated inside a room with frequent activity and noise.  These birds should not be left alone for hours with the cage door open, for curiosity will get the best of them.  This can lead to serious problems or death if not supervised.

The conure should also have a play stand as well.  This stand should have toys, ropes, ladders, and food stations.  Place the stand high enough so ropes can be hung from perches.  These conures will spend countless hours swinging and climbing up and down the ropes. 

Toys for a Sun Conure

These birds enjoy toys, especially toys that are easily dismantled.  Use toys that are bird-safe such as small wooden blocks, chewable leather materials, and knotted ropes.  There beaks may look small, but watch them enthusiastically chew and untie their toys and ropes.  Toys help to simulate your conure and help to prevent boredom.  It’s important to rotate the toys regularly to prevent boredom.

Sun Conure Noise & Screaming

Of all the problems reported with Sun Conures, screaming is the most problematic.  Their calls are shrill and high-pitched.  To avoid this problem, proper techniques need to be used to help minimize screaming.  It is important to understand that screaming should be expected during natural call times—early morning, noon, and before sunset.

Take your conure out daily to help minimize this screaming. If you wish to reduce screaming, ignore your bird completely.  Most owners make the mistake of coddling the bird or scolding the bird during a screaming tantrum.  This only reinforces the behavior and makes it worse.  

Sun Conure Diet

A healthy diet is also required if you wish to have a long lived conure.  These birds thrive on seeds and fruits in the wild and should be fed that in captivity too.  Having a healthy diet should keep your conure alive for 20 or more years.

A good diet will consist of pellets, seeds, fruits, and vegetables.  Most conures do not have problems accepting new foods.  Chunks of apple or peaches make tasty treats.  Be sure to include fresh greens such as spinach, romaine lettuce, or kale.

Cleaning the Cage

The cage should be cleaned daily and washed with a bleach solution weekly.  The solution should be 1 part bleach to 3 parts water.  Use a scrub brush to remove your parrot’s waste with the bleach solution.  Once the cage is scrubbed, rinse the cage thoroughly until the solution is removed.  Repeat the same process with the perches.  After washed, let the cage and perches dry and place your Sun Conure back into his cage.  This will stop harmful bacteria that could make your bird ill.