Cactus Conures aka Caatinga Parakeets

Aratinga Conure Info … Aratingas as Pets … Aratinga Conure Species

Conure Info … Index of Conure Species … Photos of the Different Conure Species for Identification

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Cactus Conures aka Caatinga Parakeets (Aratinga cactorum) are endemic to the South American rainforests of the southeast Brazil, specifically the State of Bahia. In the wild, they feed primarily on cactus seeds (hence its name), as well as fruit and berries.

Description:

Cactus Conures average 10 to 11 inches (25 to 26cm) in length (from head to the tip of the tail.

The plumage is green above, while the face and throat is brown. The head is brownish-green, gradually turning olive down the back and on the wings. There is a lighter brown under the chin, turning to orange rust below the breast.

Personality:

Cactus Conures are said to make great pets; being hardy, easily tamed, amusing and generally friendly and affectionate. This conure gets along relatively well with other conures and therefore does well in aviary communities. However, provided they are well socialized, they will readily accept a human family as their flockmates.

Conures as Pets (Suitability, Personality, Pros and Cons, Care Requirements)

Breeding / Reproduction:

The hen lays 3 to 4 white eggs, incubation lasts 28 to 30 days. The young fledge after about 40 days.

Below are the dimensions of nesting boxes usually used for these conures. However, the dimensions can vary widely, as they are influenced by the owner’s and the birds’ preferences.  The preferences of the breeding birds can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.

If they are not accepting the nest box that they were given, one could try to offer several nest boxes / logs, of various sizes and types and placed in different locations within the aviary. This will allow the parents to choose the nest box they like in the area they want to nest in. Once they have made their choice, all the others can be taken down, cleaned and used elsewhere.

Conure Log / Nest-box / Nesting Peferences

Additional Bird Breeder Resources

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Taxonomy:

Genus: Scientific: Aratinga … English: Conures … Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten … German: Keilschwanzsittiche … French: Aratinga

Species: Scientific: Aratinga cactorum cactorum aka Eupsittula cactorum cactorum … English: Cactus Conure … Dutch: Cactusparkiet … German: Kaktussittich … French: Perruche de cactus

Nominate Species and Sub-Species: cactorum, caixana … CITES II – Endangered

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Sub-species:

Pale Cactus Conures: Please scroll up for additional information

Genus: Scientific: Aratinga … English: Conures … Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten … German: Keilschwanzsittiche … French: Aratinga

Species: Scientific: Aratinga cactorum caixana aka Eupsittula cactorum caixana … English: Pale Cactus Conure … Dutch: Bleke Cactusparkiet … German: Blasser Kaktussittich … French: Perruche de cactus Caixana … CITES II – Endangered

Distribution: North-eastern Brazil

Species Research by Sibylle Johnson

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