The Joys of Conures in Aviculture ~e conure group of parrots has byOa/eR. Thompson very colorful Qenday, Sun) and are l'b~en taxonomically broken into Canyon Country, California very commercial, while others are major groups, Aratinga and Pyrrhura, basic green in coloration (Olive- with five to six minor groups. They are throat, Nanday, Brown-throat, etc.). Nanday, Nandayus; Golden-plumed, from the large 17 inch Patagonian Although not as popular, many of the Leptosittaca; Yellow-eared, Ogno- Conure to some of the small eight and less colorful conures need to be repro­ rhynchus; Patagonian, Cyanoliseus; a half inch Pyrrhura conures duced or they may die out in captivity Austral and Slender-billed, Enicogna- (Painted). in the upcoming years. The Cuban, thus; and the extinct Carolina Para- Hispanolian and White-eyed are in keet, Conuropsis. There are many Choosing a Conure very low numbers and need to be subspecies within these groups, but I When choosing a conure for breed- worked With. Of great importance to will mainly discuss the avicultural ing purposes, there are several consid- aviculture is a project begun by the aspects ofthose species in captivity. erations to make. Almost all conures Arizona Seed Crackers Society. They have the ability to make shrill calls, so have begun a Halfmoon (Petz or Natural History the noise factor is important. The Orange-fronted) Conure breeding Conures come from the New World, Pyrrhura conures, being smaller, consortium. They must be com­ ranging from Mexico, Central America have a less annoying call than does mended and their concept followed and throughout South America. They the Aratinga group. Generally, for other parrot species in the private have a great diversity in their habitats. domestic reared conures sound off to sector. These range from the tropical rain for­ a lesser extent than their Wild-caught ests to dry savannas. Temperatures counterparts. Sex Determination throughout these habitats range from Price is also a factor. Conures range Many parrots do not show external just below freeZing to over the lOO°F from the high-priced Golden Conure differences in the sexes and this mark. Elevations range from sea level to many reasonably priced (±$150) includes the conures. It was not until to over 11,000 feet. Nests consist of species in both the Aratinga (Peach­ the 1970's that accurate sexing large and small hollows found in fronted, Petz, Dusky, etc.) and Pyr­ became a wonderful tool for avicul­ trees, active termite mounds and rock rhura (Green-cheeked and Maroon­ ture. Later, chromosomal sexing was crevices. These parrots range in size bellied) groups. Some conures are added. These methods replaced the

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afa WATCI-II3l1W 39 The large Slender-billed Conure does not belong to the Aratinga genus ofconures. It, along with the Austral Conure, is basicallygreen in coloration and needs attention byAmerican aviculturists. old n1ethods of sexing conures. The Maroon-bellied Conure and the Green-cheeked Con-ure are two very Although not 100 percent accurate, popularPyrrhura conures both with aviculturists andpet owners. the males of many species of Aratinga conures (Mitred, Sun, ]enday, Peach­ fronted and Orange-fronted) have either a larger body size, more mas­ sive upper mandible or added (or intense) coloration on parts of their bodies. There are three reliable ways of sexing parrots: (1) Laporoscopic sexing is a tech­ nique where a laporoscope is placed through a small incision on the left side of the bird and the gonads can be observed. This should be done by an experienced avian veterinarian. (2) Feather sexing is done via a blood feather, and a lab then deter­ nlines the chromosomes. (Available through Avian Genetics Sexing Labor­ atory, Marc Valentine, 6551 Stage Oakes Dr., Suite 3A, Bartlett, TN 38134; phone 901-388-9548.) (3) Blood sexing is where blood is removed from a parrot's toenail and a The Painted Conure, one ofthe Pyrrhura conures, is especially desired by aviculturists lab then detennines the chroo10somes because ofits striking coloratt'on andpatterns. It is somewhat more difficult to reproduce from this sao1ple. (Available through than the more com,mon Green-cheeked andMaroon-bellied Conures.

40 May / June 1994 Zoogen, Inc., Joy Haverson, D.V.M., ers than do domestic conures. Even Breeding conures indoors is often 1105 Kennedy Place, Suite 4, Davis, though sexually mature, wild-caught very successful. Manipulating artificial CA 95616; phone 916-756-8089.) Both conures often take several years to lighting can often trigger conures to chromosomal sexing methods can be acclimatize and reproduce. Domestic breed throughout every month of the done on baby birds which eliminates conures, however, often reproduce year. Average light cycles range from waiting for the birds' gonads to successfully as early as 18 months to nine and a half to ten and a half hours mature. Laporoscopic sexing, how­ two years of age. Placing visual barri­ in the off season and 14 and a half to ever, has the advantage of allowing ers on the cage sides, back, and most 15 and a half hours during the breed­ the avian veterinarian to observe other of the top is often very helpful. Shad­ ing season. internal parts of the bird. It is often ing the nest entrance and the immedi­ less expensive and one has immediate ate surrounding area is also very PairBonding results. important. As with all parrots, it is highly advis­ The distance between the conures able to allow conures to choose their Housing and their keepers should be maxi­ own mates. It is best to place several Conures are most often maintained mized. Placing cages with the length known sexed birds of the same spe­ in suspended breeding cages. They facing away from human contact is cies in a large cage or flight. This flight range in size from 2' x 2' X 3' to 4' for better than width. All perches should should not contain any nest boxes, small conures and 4' x 4' X 6' to 8' for be above human eye level. but should be filled with plenty of the large conures. Most are bred in Conures can be kept successfully in perches. Whether wild-caught or cages somewhere between these two both indoor and outdoor situations. domestic, it will not take long before suggested sizes. Although I have kept Although the main breeding season some of the birds will begin to bond conures in much smaller cages, I for outdoor conures is in the spring­ together. After bonding has occurred, personally have great reservations. time, they will often produce at other the pair can then be placed in their Long-term reproduction on parrots in times. Many Aratinga conures will own breeding cage that contains a very small cages has not yet been first lay in December when it is still nest box. Almost all conure species researched completely. It is possible very cold in some areas. Many con­ are kept in separate pairs for breeding. that this may promote muscle deter­ ures are triggered by natural rain. Arti­ This is much more successful than ioration, increased infertility, aban­ ficial rain from sprinklers is often used trying to breed them in a colony. Very donment of eggs and obesity in future to simulate natural rain, but this few conure species do well in a col­ generations. usually does not work as birds are ony. I have observed a producing How secure any bird feels inside its triggered by the increased change in colony of the Patagonian Conure but breeding cage is very important. Wild­ atmospheric pressure. Sprinklers are these birds were in a very large flight. caught conures need more security in excellent, though, for cooling aviaries Usually only the alpha or dominant the form of darkness and visual barri- in hot weather. pair of conures in a colony will breed. ~ •••••••••••••••••• • Luv Them Birds, Inc. ~. • "Aviculture Conserves Birds In The Wild" ~ Closed-Banded••Domestic••Hand-reared Baby Parrots •a. Over 100 Species to Choose from I!! 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The stock so inbreeding can be eliminated. three main parts. The first is dry seeds young hatch at different intervals, (parakeet seed, safflower, sunflower) often causing a considerable size dif­ NestBoxes and should not be given as the main ference while they are growing. Conures are noted for their chewing staple. They will eat seeds first, often Conures are noted for being good ability. I feel that wooden nest boxes leaving behind the more nutritious parents, but when individual pairs are should be used instead of metal ones. foods. The second part is vegetables found to destroy eggs or young, the Conures need to chew and wooden (raw and/or cooked), beans, rice, etc. eggs can be placed in an artificial boxes can be replaced. Chewing in and germinated/sprouted seeds. incubator or under other pairs of and around their nests often is the key These foods should be given daily conures. Eggs or young can be inter­ to promoting breeding. It is true that because of their nutritional value and changed quite successfully among the the smaller Aratinga conures and because of the great variety of foods Aratinga and Pyrrhura conures. The Pyrrhura conures tend to destroy found in this group. The third group size of eggs or young often does not boxes to a much lesser degree than do includes the fruits. Although low in seem to disturb them. the larger Aratinga conures. Boxes many Vitamins, fmit is greatly enjoyed The young of most conures are made of thick wooden planks will byconures. removed from the nest for handrear­ help the chewing problem and also ing. They are removed most often just aid in insulation. Reproduction prior to their eyes opening (9 to 13 Nest boxes range greatly in size and Conures have a simple courtship, if days). How conures are handreared is shape. They range from the cockatiel any at all. Older wild-caught conures important depending upon whether nest box size to deep vertical, slanted may take some time to become accus­ the youngsters are going to be used as and boot-shaped boxes. Boxes with tomed to their captive environment, pets or as future breeders. Parrots that narrow, deep chambers seem to pro­ diet and new mate. A combination of are isolated during the handrearing mote non-laying conures to feel more a wild-caught male with a domestic process have a tendency to bond to secure, hence to nest. Instead of the female is ideal. The domestic bird will the human feeder. These would make standard 12" x 12" widths, boxes with help calm its mate. excellent pets. If the young will be 6" x 6" and 8" x 8" widths often entice Aratinga conures lay an average held back as breeding stock, though, more interest. The birds feel more clutch of two to four eggs, while Pyr­ they should always be reared with secure in these dark, narrow nests. rhura conures have an average of other birds, preferably the same spe­ Depths range from 18 inches to 24 three to seven eggs. The Aratinga cies or genus. These birds should be inches for Pyrrhura conures and 24 conures lay their eggs at two- to four­ handled minimally during the hand­ inches to 48 inches for large Aratinga day intervals. Infertility may be due to feeding process. It has been proven conures. Nest material is usually made an immature male, incompatibility or many times that domestic conures can of dry or moistened pine shavings. external disturbances. Egg bindness is be good breeders including the feed­ Care, however, must be given to wet when the female cannot pass her egg. ing of young. Male conures that are nests so that fungus does not develop. This can be caused by an immature or strongly imprinted on humans often Often nests are lined or filled with overbred female, a diet deficient in do not make good breeders as they cork for those conures which are ter­ vitamin D or calcium, or extreme cold tend to be confused as to which entity mite mound nesters in the wild. These weather. The incubation time for they should bond with. include the Petz's Conure (Aratinga Aratinga conures is an average of 23 canicularis) and the Jamaican Conure days, with a variance of 24 hours TheJoyofConut-es (Aratinga n. nana). because of a cold or warm environ- Conures are an excellent choice for beginners and experienced breeders. Many are bright and colorful and most do not take years to reproduce. Con­ co N M ures not only make excellent pets but Ray Ackroyd's Australian Avitours also good second and third generation Presenting our 1994 'Outback Bird Tours' breeders. The Sun Conure will soon Discover Australia's magnificent bird life on a twelve day Bird Safari. Enjoy be the first conure to be 100 percent your personalised tours within a luxury, air conditioned 4-wheel drive. All tours captive-reared. There are common, are reserved for a maximum of four persons allowing for optimum comfort'and inexpensive conures for those avicul­ mobility. Explore vast waterfowl wetlands, inland river systems, parrot and turists who want to work with com­ cockatoo breeding grounds on a full camp-out tour that you will talk about forever. mercial birds, and there are many rare Experience video of still photography at very close quarters. You'll soon feel conures for those who want to work an integral part of this unique natural habitat. with threatened and endangered Please join tour guide Ray Ackroyd, fondly known as 'Cockatoo Dundee' and hostess species. There is a conure for every Beryl Berthon-Ackroyd on this outback adventure of a lifetime. Sales agent and tour enquiries; Liverpool Travel Service, Northumberland Street, person and personality. Liverpool, NSW, 2170, Australia. PH; (612) 602 0233 FAX; (612) 6020403 Reprinted from the AFA Annual Conference Proceedings - 1993.• 42 May / June 1994 l