Most Common Aratingas Kept as Pets
The Sun Conure, Jenday Conures, Blue-crowned Conures, Dusky-headed Conures, Finsch’s Conures, Mitred Conures, Peach-fronted and Red-fronted Conures are among the Aratinga conures most commonly kept as pets.
Lifespan
They can live up to 30 years – provided they are properly cared for. However, the average lifespan is 15 – 20 years – as people learn more about bird nutrition, hopefully this will extend their natural lifespan.
Personality / Pet Potential
Aratinga conures are known for their persistant loud calls as much as for their fun-loving, playful and cheerful personalities. Most can learn to talk – indeed some of them turn into very skilled talkers.
They are generally not the cuddliest of conures, but they are generally affectionate bird and enjoy a lot of attention. Like other parrots, Aratinga Conures are not content to be locked away in a cage as these social creatures like company – either a human or another bird.
Conure Info / Conures as Pets … Index of Conure Species … Photos of the Different Conure Species for Identification … Conures as Pets … Common Health Problems of Conure … Conure Nutrition / Foods
This species can cohabitate quite peacefully with other Aratinga conure species and get along well. If the bird is kept singly, the owners should understand that this conure needs daily interaction.
In general terms, conures are clowny birds. We love them for their great sense of humor and fun-loving personality.
With a little training, they usually can easily be trained to do tricks. Conures love to snuggle under things, so providing them with a tightly woven wash cloth, soft piece of fabric, or fuzzy toy will be appreciated.
A bird tent as a place to sleep and hand out is usually eagerly accepted and treasured. As they like to climb under pillows and blankets, care needs to be taken not to accidentally smother them.
| Chart provided by Dr. Rob Marshall – http://www.birdhealth.com.au) |
| Conures Genus Aratinga |
| Size: 30cm in length |
| Pet Status: Excellent |
| Talking Ability: Moderate |
| Noise Level: High (Loud, high pitched voice) |
| Lifespan: 15-20 years |
| Breeding Ability: Good |
| Number of Eggs: 3 eggs |
| Incubation: 24-28 days |
| Compatibility with other species: Excellent |
| Feeding: Seed and Fruit Eaters |
| Sexing: Surgical or DNA sexing is required. |
They make great birds for those who don’t mind the occasional (or NOT so occasional) screeching outburst. This is something to be considered when thinking of adding a conure to your family.
Conures can be VERY noisy and can also be nippy, if not trained and socialized properly. They do enjoy learning new tricks and can be very entertaining.
They love to dance and can also be taught to go the toilet with a simple command such as “toilet” or “poop”.
Aratinga Conures Species Information
Conures include the genera Aratinga and Pyrrhura, as well as several single-species genera and one double-species genus.
Latin for “little macaw,” (ara – macaw, tinga – diminutive) the Aratinga conures are in many ways similar to the smaller members of genus Ara (Macaws). The major difference is that macaws have a bare facial patch compared to the Aratinga conures that have a bare orbital eye ring.
Some experts believe that Nandays should be grouped with the Aratinga genus, since they are cross-fertile with such species as Jendays and Sun Conures.
One extinct species of Aratinga, the Carolina Parakeet (A. carolinensis) was native to the United States. This species became extinct in the early 20th century. Another member of the family – the Guadeloupe Parakeet (Aratinga labati) – also became extinct, probably towards the end of the 18th century.
Many of the Aratinga species can be quite loud but otherwise can make very good pets for the right owner. Some species, such as the Dusky Conure, Brown Headed Conure, Peach front Conure, and Half Moon Conure, are among the quieter Aratinga species; however, they can still get quite loud.
Their average lifespan is 20-30 years – provided they receive good care.
Breeding Aratinga Conures … Aratingas as Pets … Aratinga Conure Species
Conure Info / Conures as Pets … Index of Conure Species … Photos of the Different Conure Species for Identification … Conures as Pets … Common Health Problems of Conure … Conure Nutrition / Foods
Species Description
Aratingas are usually larger with brighter plumage and are generally the noisier, more outgoing, more demanding of the two primary conure genera, the other being the Pyrrhuras.
Aratinga conures vary in size from 9 to 14 inches. The plumage of most of the Aratinga species is mainly green with various colored markings on the head and body, which can be red, yellow or blue. The exceptions to this rule are the Sun Conures and the Golden Conures aka Queen of Bavaria’s Conures, who bear striking yellow and yellow-orange coloration over most of the body. The Jenday Conures and the Golden-cap Conure are mostly yellow and yellow-orange with red markings.
The beaks are either horn colored or black – never red.
