Breeding / Reproduction:
Several beautiful mutations of the green-cheek conure have been bred in aviculture, including the cinnamon yellow-sided and the pineapple. Those two mutations are easily confused — please refer to the insightful article “Is it a ‘Cinnamon’ or a ‘Pineapple’?” Marcy Covaul, President, Pyrrhura Breeders Association, for more information.
They reach sexual maturity around one years of age. Many can be sexually mature earlier – but it is not wise to breed them younger than a year.
The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. Sex undeterminable by appearance.
Green cheeks are fairly easy to breed. 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 box that is provided for them, offering a choice of sizes and types of boxes or logs, placed in various locations within the flight, will allow the parent birds to make their own choice.
Once they have made their choice, the “spares” can be removed, cleaned and used for other birds.
Log / Nest-box:
Marcy Covault from Feathered Companions Aviary suggests using a deeper box, either a bootbox or a vertical grandfather box. Some conures do accept cockatiel-sized boxes, but using a deeper box will reduce the conures’ tendency to remove the shavings and lay their eggs on the bare wooden base.
- Length / depth: approx. 16 – 24 inches (400 – 600 mm)
- Log / nest-box internal dimensions approx. 6″ x 8″ inches
- Diameter of entrance hole: approx. 3 inches ( ~70 – 80 mm)
- Inspection hole: Can be square or round, approx. 4 inches (100 mm) in diameter.
- A Removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
- Location and height of log / nest-box: Install in a sheltered part of the aviary at about 5 feet (~1.5 – 1.8 meters) height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months.
- Angle of log or nest box: 45 degrees through to vertical. Most boxes are vertical.
- Nesting log / nest-box material: Add about 2 inches of decomposed suitable nest box litter to the bottom of the box to help stabilize the eggs and absorb the droppings from the chicks. Options for suitable nesting material are decomposed non-toxic saw dust, corn cob, shredded newspaper, clean straw / dried grass or wood shavings (i.e., Aspen shavings or wood chips). The larger wood chips the better, so the parents don’t feed it to the babies or the chicks accidentally ingest it. Please note that some wood shavings – such as pine, cedar and redwood – give off aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) and acids that are toxic and can cause dermatitis, allergic symptoms and irritation of the digestive tract. They should not be used in cages, aviaries, or nestboxes.
- Incubation: Both hen and cock share in incubating the eggs.
Conures have a habit of removing all the nest box material and laying their eggs on the bare wooden base.
Nest inspection is generally not tolerated. If nest inspection is necessary, wait till both parents have left the nest. They can be aggressive and protective of the nest area when breeding.
Other Related Web Pages: Green-cheek Conure Information (Origin, Description, Pet Potential, etc.) … … Green-cheeked Conure Mutations … Green-cheeked Conure Sub-species / Taxonomy
Conure Info / Conures as Pets … Index of Conure Species … Photos of the Different Conure Species for Identification … Greencheek Conure Photos … Conures as Pets … Common Health Problems of Conure … Conure Nutrition / Foods
