Conures & Conure Care
Although they may seem like an enticing pet to own with their colorful beauty and highly sociable personalities, parrots are not for everyone. Parrots that are well-cared for can live for many years. The average lifespan of conures is between 25 to 35 years, so these are not ideal pets for anyone wanting to make a short term commitment. Sadly, too often people decide they are unable to follow through with their commitment for the long haul – resulting in the need to rehome their parrots. Because conures are highly intelligent and form such deep bonds with their humans, the transition to a new home and family can be extremely difficult for them. They will absolutely feel sad and miss their original owners, and can struggle with adjusting to their new environment. It is for this reason that Wingo McFeatherbeak aims to educate our prospective homes for young conures. We want to see our babes go to well prepared, forever homes!
Considerations:
Conures can be loud. This makes them not an ideal pet for those who live in apartments and condos, where nearby neighbors/tenants can complain – forcing the removal of the pet. Family members who might be sensitive to loud noises should also be a consideration. (Tips for minimizing noisiness can be found below.)
Conures do not do well spending long periods of time alone. Loneliness and boredom can cause behavioral problems as well as increased verbal outbursts. For those who are often away from home (work, etc), we suggest acquiring a second conure for companionship.
Like any other pet, conures require upkeep/maintenance. Parrot beaks and nails continuously grow and may need periodic trimming. It has been our experience, however, that by supplying our parrots with a variety of wooden chews, mineral blocks and pedi-perches, our conures are able to keep their beaks and nails trimmed with minimal need of our assistance.
Not all veterinary clinics are capable of treating parrots. It’s a good idea to know where your nearest avian vet is located in case of emergencies.
Care:
DIET – The primary diet of parrots should be pellets, not seed or nuts. Seeds and nuts are high in fat, offer limited nutritional value, and a diet of mainly seeds and nuts can cause a wide variety of illnesses. Pellets provide the most optimal well-balanced nutritional value. In addition to pellets, parrots should be offered fresh veggies and fruits (chop) daily for optimal health. Seeds and nuts can be offered minimally as treats.
For a list of foods that are healthy and safe for conures (and foods that are not!) CLICK HERE.Water bowls should be cleaned and filled with fresh water daily. Water bowls that are left uncleaned will become contaminated with bacteria which can be hazardous to your bird’s health.
Conures typically love to take baths – which also provides them with a way to keep their feathers clean and healthy. Whether you just offer them a bowl of water to splash around in, or set them in the sink with the faucet trickling, it’s certain to be a welcomed form of fun.ENTERTAINMENT – As previously stated, parrots are highly intelligent and can easily become bored – even unhappy. They need ‘things’ to keep them busy and occupied. Keeping them supplied with a good variety of toys and shredders will greatly improve your conure’s quality of life. Parrots LOVE to shred things up – it’s one of their favorite pastimes. There are endless toys and shredders available on the market. Most manufacturers are responsible when it comes to using bird safe materials, but it’s a good idea to double check for toxic dyes or other potential hazards.
At Wingo McFeatherbeak, we often create our own conure toys and shredders. There are quite a few DIY bird toy material suppliers available. We find this fun to do, and it is also a less expensive way to go. And, oftentimes our birds seem to prefer our homemade toys over store bought!
TIP: We swap our bird’s toys every few days to keep our conures interested and entertained. We remove what they have and replace it with toys they haven’t played with for a while – or with toys altogether new.ONE ON ONE TIME – Being extremely sociable, conures long for interaction and companionship. The more time you and your family can spend with your conure, the happier he/she will be. The extent of time you spend with your conure will also determine the friendliness and pet-quality of your feathered friend.
It is not uncommon for conures to bond with or prefer one family member over the others. Some are even gender specific! If you want your conure to be friendly and engaging with everyone he/she encounters, well-rounded socializing is crucial and should be started at the youngest possible age. Encourage all of your family members (and even guests!) to spend time interacting with your conure. Playtime with toys, and especially treats are quick ways to win over a conure’s heart 🙂
Conures also enjoy learning tricks, and can even be clicker trained. There are a great many videos available with ideas and how-to’s. And don’t forget, they can be taught to mimic words, sounds, and phrases! This training too should begin at a young age.
Your conure will never be happier than when spending time with you – even if it’s just climbing around and nestling with you while you’re watching TV. Conures can be quite the little cuddlers!
*Conures that are given a healthy diet, plenty of attention and are supplied with an array of entertaining toys and things to do, tend to make much calmer, happier, content and quieter pets! 🙂
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS – Some of the most dangerous hazards to parrots can be found right in your home and could easily be things you might never have given a thought to. The following is a list of more commonly over-looked hazards, but may not be complete. If in doubt of any potential hazards you may have that are not listed, please (!) research it.
Household cleaners – including ones you might think safe to clean your cages with. (We use vinegar diluted with water)
Fumes from teflon-coated pans (please do not cook with teflon if you have birds!)
Air Fresheners
Fumes from scented candles
Paints and stains
Smoke
Houseplants (some, not all)
Family pets
Windows and mirrors (flight/crash injury hazard) It’s a good idea to show your bird where windows or mirrors are by bringing them nearby a few times, rather than chance he/she flying into them at a fast pace. Tapping on the glass may help it register with your bird, as might temporarily covering them with very sheer material.
Toilet bowls and fish tanks (drowning hazard)
Electrical Cords
Ceiling fans
Opened exterior doors
Temperatures and drafts: Parrots are tropical birds, and in their natural environment they are not subjected to cold weather. They do not tolerate the cold well, and can easily succumb to illness if exposed to temperature extremes. The most favorable temperature range for parrots is between 65 an 80 degrees fahrenheit. And yes, exposure to extreme heat also presents a health risk.