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Maroon-Bellied Conure
The Maroon-bellied Conure is part of the Pyrrhura Conure family, which inhabits Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina. These curious little green and maroon coloured birds are about 10 inches in length weight about 3.2 ounces and can live up to approximately 25 years. They are full of energy, very curious, love to bath and are excellent flyers. Pyrrhura subspecies of Conure is the quieter family of Conures. They are great for people that rent. These birds have the potential to talk and if they do that is a bonus.
I have two maroon-bellied Conures as a pet, Ruffles which I have had since Sept. 2001. He was 3 months old when I got him. Blue is one of our breeder birds that fell in love with me instead of his mate. Blue is 8 years old and very happy now that he is a pet. Blue's mate was adopted by another couple and is a wonderful pet for them.
Ruffles and Blue can both talk. Some of the things they say are: "Good morning, how are you, Pretty Bird or Birdie, Break-it-down, goodnight, I love you, Juice please, good juice thank you and hello". My birds are quiet most of the time but if something bothers them they can make a loud noise. For example: if a magpie outside keeps flying by the window or if certain music is loud and they don't like it then they may be loud, too. My birds are loud, when they are excited or greet us when we get home. This is very short lived and usually happens
first thing when they are uncovered in the morning, when we arrive home and just
before supper or bed. They know the sound of our cars and get excited when the key starts to open the door. Sometimes when I'm on the computer they talk until I let one out as they like to sit on my shoulder while I work. They are always watching everything that is going on around them and want to be in the middle of whatever is going on. They just cannot resist coming over to see what you are doing. My two just love to play with their ball on the bottom of the cage. Ruffles' loves to take a bath almost every day and if I'd let them, they would drink orange juice every day as well. Ruffles likes to hide under my hair and will play with it most of the night. He likes to cuddle and in the morning will wake us up to "good morning, how are you". On Saturday, however he cuddles in bed on my chest by lying down sprawling his wings and goes back to sleep so I can get an extra hour sleep. They both love shiny things, especially jewelry. Ruffles can quite masterfully bend and reshape gold earrings. He loves getting a pat and kisses too. He is very patient when I help him preen his pinfeathers. Blue likes to get pats and kisses, and loves to cuddle on my shoulder. When it comes to food, they both enjoy fresh veggies, fruit and almost anything the family eats.
Something that I like to let people know is that these loveable little birds can have an attitude. This usually starts when they mature around two years of age. Just like a toddler going through those dreaded terrible twos, they get a little nippy. You have to be patient, firm, and in some cases start the "no biting" training all over. They can get possessive of their cage, with basic body language like standing their head feathers straight up and strutting. I find this happens mostly around mating time and I will use a step up stick. Once out of the cage they become their happy go lucky self once again.
I just love my two little birds and they show me how much they love me, too.
Written by: Linda Snider
Linda is my sister. It is her passion for the Maroon-belly Conure that has made it possible for these birds to be available through "Sweetie Tweeties". Linda houses all our Maroon-belly and Pearly pairs in her home. When the babies are old enough I hand feed, play, and cuddle with them until they are weaned. Once weaned, they are returned to my sister's home where they continue to be spoiled by her family until someone adopts them. D. Brown
The Pearly Conure
The Pearly profile is much the same as the Maroon-belly, in personality. The Pearly is a member of the Pyrrhura subspecies, too. They are slightly smaller. They sport bright red shoulder patches and blue flight feathers.
One funny little quirk about these and the maroon-belly Conures that should be mentioned, as babies these playful little birds will sometimes sleep on their back. No Kidding!!! These funny little birds have just about given me heart failure a few times when passing their cage to view the bird flat on its back, little feet in the air!!! So beware if you have a weak heart!
The Sun Conure
The Sun Conure is a member of the Aratinga subspecies of Conures. They are native to Guyana, Surinam and Northwestern Brazil. They are slightly larger than the Pyrrhura subspecies. Usually about 11 ½ inches in length, weighing in at about 4.6 ounces. They have a life span of about 25 years.
Sun Conures are new to "Sweetie Tweeties". I fell in love with the Sun while looking after my friend's "Tango" for three months. It was my husband who enjoyed this visitor and asked why I didn't raise these little guys. My answer? Because they can be very loud! Yes, the biggest draw back of the Sun Conure is its vocal ability. People are often drawn to the beautiful colouration of the Sun only to discover the noise level can be overwhelming at times. Apartment living is not conducive to owning a Sun. your neighbours may not love your pet the way you do because of its noise level.
They are funny, loving birds and in their exuberance can get "bitey". They need to be reminded, "no biting". A "Time out" is another recommendation when they insist on being nippy.
They are good eaters. They enjoy a variety of fruits, veggies, whole grain breads, pasta, brown rice, seed and pellets.
Written by: Deb Brown
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Frick & Frack
Photo Courtesy of D. Brown |
Frick and Frack are my Sun pair. It will be another 6 months until they are of breeding age. They are so comical. When entering their room they are immediately squawking, "Step up, step up!" I can't resist and open their door. They tumble out of their cage onto my hand to repeat, "Step up!" I say, "No, it's "Hello", now". To which they bob their heads and say "Hello". Well, if Frick and Frack have babies for me to share with the world, then great! If not? Well.. then I will have two more very amusing pets! D.Brown
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