Green Conures (Aratinga holochlora), aka Green Parakeets

Green Conures ( Aratinga holochlora), also known as Green Parakeets, are endemic to eastern and southern Mexico, from Nuevo Leon south to Veracruz, Oaxaca and Chiapas, and Central America south to northern Nicaragua.

Aratinga Conure Info … Aratingas as Pets … Aratinga Conure Species

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Self-sustaining populations have established themselves in several cities in southeast Texas in the United States. It is unclear if the U.S. populations are feral released birds or may be some wild vagrants which have moved north from Mexico. The Green Parakeet is usually non-migratory, but will move depending on availability of food and suitable nesting sites.

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 parrot is endangered in its natural habitat and is listed as CITES II. However, they are popular companion birds and are readily available in the pet market.

The Pacific Parakeet or Nicaraguan Green Conure, formerly considered a distinct species, is now placed herein as a subspecies Aratinga holochlora strenua.

Description

The Green Conure averages 32 cm (~12.6 inches) in length, including its long tail. The wings are about 160-175 mm or 6.25 – 6.75 inches long.

The plumage is mostly green with a yellowish-green to the breast and abdomen. Some Green Conures may have some scattered red feathers to their head. The under wing-coverts are dull yellowish-green and the underside of the flight feathers and tail are olive-yellow.

The periophthalmic (eye) rings are reddish-grey and the irises are orange-red. It has a yellowish / horn-colored beak with blackish markings to sides of tip. The feet are flesh-colored-grey.

Young birds have dark irises and lack any red feathers.

Personality

The Green Conures have big personalities for such small birds and are very active, requiring a good amount of exercise.

Owners report that they are smart and interactive, but are also more prone to behavioral problems than are cockatiels or budgies – but this would be the case with any conure.

They all require a committed owner who will work with their pets to guide their behavior, while cockatiels and budgies are “beginner birds.

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

Diet:

These conures feed on seeds, various fruits, and corn. They are, at times, considered a crop pest. Wild birds primarily use scrub and swamp forests, woodlands, and forest clearings.

The U.S. populations take advantage of palm groves in the cities.

• Feeding your pet green conure

Breeding / Reproduction:

In the wild, Green Conure pairs usually find holes in trees to nest in where they lay 3-4 eggs. They will also nest colonially on crevices in cliff faces. After the breeding season is completed, the birds will form large communal roosts.

In captivity, these conures 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 their nest box, it is recommended to provide them a choice of boxes / logs until they find one they like. They may also favor one particular area to nest in.

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 holochlora holochlora aka Psittacara holochlora holochlora … English: Green Conure … Dutch: Groene Aratinga … German: Grünsittich … French: Perruche de Mexique

Nominate Species and Sub-Species: holochlora, brewsteri, strenua, rubritorquis, brevipes

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Sub-species:

Brewster’s Green Conures: Please scroll up for additional information

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

Species: Scientific: Aratinga holochlora brewsteri aka Psittacara holochlora brewsteri … English: Brewster’s Green Conure … Dutch: Brewsters Groene Aratinga … German: Brewsters Grünsittich … French: Perruche du Mexique Nelson

Distribution: Mountains in Sonors, Sinalao and Chihuahua, North-western Mexico … CITES II – Endangered

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Socorro Green Conures (Aratinga holochlora brevipes aka Psittacara h.breviceps / Aratinga brevipes)

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Pacific Parakeet or Nicaraguan Green Conure: Please scroll up for additional information.

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

Species: Scientific: Aratinga strenua aka Psittacara holochlora strenua / Aratinga holochlora strenua … English: Nicaraguan Green Conure … Dutch: Pacifische Aratinga, Nicaragua Aratinga … German: Nicaragua Grünsittich … French: Perruche du Mexique Ridgway

Distribution: Pacific slopes Central America, Mexico, South and Northern Nicaragua … CITES II – Endangered

Gaurav Dhir

Gaurav is an animal enthusiast. He lives in beautiful Ontario with his energetic family. As a part of his work at beautyofbirds.com, he has been working with ace parrot trainer, Cassie Malina to understand bird behavior and learn more about how he can train his feathered companions.

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