by Lara Jackson

Created on: November 30, 2009

Average than a cockatiel, but have all the big conure personality in a little package.

Wild green-cheeked conures are found in parts of west-central Brazil, Bolivia, northwestern Argentina and northern Paraguay. They are still common throughout most of their range, and aren't considered under threat. Like most parrots, though, they haven't been well-studied. Most often seen in small flocks, probably family groups, but occasionally also in larger flocks where food is plentiful. They are woodland birds and feed in the treetops, eating a variety of fruits, flowers, seeds, plant matter, and probably grubs and other small invertebrates.

As pets, green-cheeks are popular for several reasons, but perhaps the most important is their relatively quiet voices. Note the term "relatively!" All the small Pyrrhura conures have fairly soft voices compared to their larger, screechier Aratinga cousins, but they are not silent. They still make a variety of squawky, talky and sometimes obnoxious sounds, which may be enough to bother some people or some neighbors. Of all parrots, green-cheeks are among the most likely to work well in an apartment, but there are no guarantees. If possible, spend some time around these birds - at a breeder's or at rescue organizations - and listen to the sounds they make to get a feel for whether they'd work in your home.

For those looking for a talking parrot, green-cheeks probably aren't ideal. They can and do talk, but most individuals don't say more than a couple short words or phrases, and have a soft, whispery talking voice. There are exceptions - a very few green-cheeks become excellent talkers - but as a species, green-cheeks are better known for their big personalities than their big vocabularies.

In the U.S., green-cheeked conures are one of the more common pet parrots, and readily available in most areas for around $150-$350, or a bit higher from retail pet shops. Besides the normal green "wild" coloration, there are now also several color mutations available for somewhat higher prices. Because they're so readily available, there should be no reason not to do some shopping around to find a physically and emotionally healthy bird. If buying from a breeder, look for someone that spends quality time with the young birds, and offers a guarantee. Baby green-cheeks are rarely shy unless they've been poorly raised - look for a youngster that isn't afraid to greet new people. Young green-cheeks can be a bit mouthy, sometimes painfully so. This is

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>