Aratinga / Aztec and Jamaican Conures
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Latin for "little macaw," (ara - macaw, tinga - diminutive) the Aratinga conures generally seem to have a more mischievous personality than the real little macaws or mini macaws.
The Aratinga conures are generally larger with brighter plumage and are generally the noisier, more outgoing, more demanding of the two primary conure genera. The Sun Conure and Jenday Conure are among the species of conures more commonly kept as pets. (Source: Wikipedia.org)
Breeding / Reproduction:
These conures are generally 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 space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice. Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season. Try and keep that one for their exclusive use. Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed. If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.
Log / Nest-box:
- Marcy Covault from Feathered Companions Aviary suggests using a deeper box, either a bootbox or a vertical grandfather box (18" - 24" deep). 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.
- Diameter of entrance hole approx. 70 - 80 mm (or approx. 3 inches)
- Inspection hole: Square or round) 100 mm (or approx 4 inches)
- A Removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
- Location and height of log / nest-box = in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about 1.5 - 1.8 metres 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: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
- Incubation: Hen / cock / both share in incubating the eggs.
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.
For additional breeding-related information, please visit this website.
Sub-species:
Aztec or Jamaican Conures or Olive-throated Conure: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga 
Species: Scientific: Aratinga nana astec ... English: Aztec Conures, Olive-throated Conures ... Dutch: Aztekenaratinga ... German: Aztekensittich ... French: Perruche Jamaica Souancé Sub-Species: nana, astec, vicinalis CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Caribbean slope from Veracruz, Mexico, extreme Western Panama
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Colombian Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga leucophthalmus nicefori ... English: Colombian Conure ... Dutch: Colombiaanse Witoogaratinga ... German: Kolumbianischer Weißaugensittich ... French: Perruche de Guyana Meyer CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Colombia at Guaicaramo on the Guavio River
Eastern Aztec Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga nana vicinalis aka Aratinga astec vicinalis ... English: Eastern Aztec Conure ... Dutch: Oostelijke Aztekenaratinga ... German: östlicher Aztekensittich ... French: Perruche Jamaica Bangs et Penard CITES II - Endangered Distribution: North-eastern Mexico
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Dwarf Conures aka Jamaican Conure: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga nana nana ... English: Jamaican Conure, Dwarf Conure ... Dutch: Jamaicaanse Aratinga ... German: Jamaikasittich ... French: Perruche Jamaica CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Jamaica in the West Indies
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Hispaniolan Conures aka San Domingo Conure: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga chloroptera chloroptera aka Psittacara chloroptera chloroptera ... English: Hispaniolan Conure, San Domingo Conure ... Dutch: Hispaniola Aratinga, Groenvleugel Parkiet ... German: Haitisittich ... French: Perruche d'Hispaniola CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Haiti, Dominican Republic, Island of Hispaniola in West Indies
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Red-throated Conures: Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga holochlora rubritorquis aka Psittacara holochlora rubritorquis ... English: Red-throated Conure, Red-collared Conure ... Dutch: Roodkeel Aratinga ... German: Guatemalasittich ... French: Perruche du Mexique Sclater CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Highlands Eastern Guatemala, El Salvador, Northern Nicaragua
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Yellow-eared Conures: The exceedingly rare Yellow-eared conure (Ognorhynchus icterotis) was never common in aviculture and has not successfully bred in captivity. It is considered critically endangered and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Its plumage is dark green above and greenish yellow below. The forehead, lores and cheeks are yellow.
Genus: Scientific: Ognorhynchus ... English: Yellow-eared Conures ... Dutch: Geeloorparkieten ... German: Gelbohrsittiche ... French: Perruche aux oreilles jaunes Species: Scientific: Ognorhynchus icterotis ... English: Yellow-eared Conure ... Dutch: Geeloorparkiet ... German: Gelbohrsittich ... French: Perruche aux oreilles jaunes CITES I - Protected Distribution: Andes of Colombia, Northern Ecuador
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots ... Yellow-eared Conure Project (International Conure Association)
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