Sun Conure
DESCRIPTION
The Sun Conure is 12 inches (30cm). Orange head and belly, breast yellow, small primaries yellow edged in green, large primaries blue. White eye ring,-smaller on female. Eyes brown, beak charcoal; legs grey. Immatures less colourful, more green, less orange, black eye. Female more green on wings.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Northeastern South America.
HABITAT
The Sun Conure like forests, savannahs and palm groves, in flocks. Nests in palm tree cavities. Gathers to feed in treetops.
DIET
Parrot mixture, smaller cereal seeds, fruit, greenstuff, blossoms and nuts.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Recently imported birds cannot be kept at temperature below 68°F (20°C).
CAGE LIFE
The Sun Conure gives shrill, two-note screeches; an expressive bird. During the breeding season, males become excited when keeper enters the aviary and checks the nest box. Sleeps in tree hole or nest box, 16 X 10 X 10 inches (40 X 25 X 25cm), entrance diameter 3 inches (8cm) or 12-inch (30cm) cube. Lays 3 to 6 eggs, incubation 27 days by female, fledging 56 days but young still fed by both parents and spend night in original nesting box. More susceptible to vice of feather plucking than related species, and adults may even pluck immatures.