Aratinga / Aztec and Jamaican Conures
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Pyrrhura is the other large genus of conures. These generally greenish conures including the very common Green-cheeked Conure. Usually smaller, duller-colored, and quieter than the Aratinga conures, the Pyrrhura conures contain almost every conure species with a hyphen in the name, and the majority of Pyrrhura species names are hyphenated. (Source: Wikipedia.org)
Sub-species:
Painted Conures: The Painted Conure is a smaller parrot (from 8.5 to 9 inches in length), quieter than other conures and is said to be very sweet-natured. It is rarely seen in captivity and is very much in demand not only because of their endearing disposition but also because of their beautiful coloring. Though not as easy to find, and very much in demand.
Painted Conures have lots of energy and love to play. They are very entertaining and many can be trained to do tricks.
Description: The Painted Conure has green plumage and a long tail. The crown and nape are dark brown, strongly suffused with blue on the forecrown. The forehead, lower cheeks and indistinct collar on hindneck are blue, and the lores and upper cheeks reddish-brown. Ear-coverts: buff-white. Feathers of sides of neck, throat and upper breast dusky: brown broadly edged with greyish-buff thus giving a scalloped appearance. Reddish-brown patch on centre of abdomen. Brownish-red patch extending from lower back to upper tail-coverts. The primary-coverts and outer webs of primaries blue. The tail above brownish-red becoming green towards base. Bill brownish-grey. Iris brown. Legs grey.
Care and Feeding:
Conures love to climb and play and need to be provided with a cage that allows them to move around freely and toys to entertain themselves with. Please refer to the following websites for information:
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird
- The 3 Key Elements to Your Pet Bird's Happiness and Health
- Caring for your companion bird
Breeding/Reproduction:
They are monomorphic and reach sexual maturity around two years of age. The cock usually sits on or near the nesting box.
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 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:
- Length / depth: 400 - 600 mm (or approx. 16 - 24 inches)
- Log internal diameter approx. 250 - 300 mm. (or approx. 10 - 12 inches)
- Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 250 mm square (or approx. 10 inches square)
- 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.
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.
For additional breeding-related information, please visit this website.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed
Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche
... French: Perruche à queue rouge 
Species: Scientific:
Pyrrhura picta picta ... English: Painted Conure ... Dutch:
Bonte Parkiet ... German: Blaustirn Rotschwanzsittich
... French: Perruche peinte Sub-Species: subandina, caeruliceps, roseifrons, picta, amazonum, pantchenkoi,
microtera, lucianii CITES
II - Endangered Distribution: Northern Brazil, Venezuela, Eastern Amazonas
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Smaller Painted Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta microtera ... English: Smaller Painted Parakeet, Smaller Painted Conure ... Dutch: Kleine Bonte Parkiet ... German: Kleiner Blaustirn Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche peinte Tapajos CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: South of the Amazon River, Northern Brazil
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
Azuero Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge ... Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta eisenmanni ... English: Azuero Conures ... Dutch: Azuero Parkiet ... German: Azuero Sittich ... French: Perruche peinte Azuero CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Panama
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 9 - click on link to view photo.)
Brown-breasted Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura calliptera ... English: Brown-breasted Conure, Beautiful Conure ... Dutch: Bruinborstparkiet ... German: Prachtflügelsittich ... French: Perruche à gorge brune CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Boyacá and Cundinamarca, Central Colombia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Jaraquiel Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta subandina ... English: Jaraquiel Conure ... Dutch: Jaraquiel Parkiet ... German: Jaraquielsittich ... French: Perruche peinte Jaraquiel CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Lower Sinú Valley, North-western Colombia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 6 - click on link to view photo.)
Magdalena Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta caeruleiceps ... English: Magdalena Conure ... Dutch: Magdalena Parkiet ... German: Magdalenensittich ... French: Perruche peinte Magdalena CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Western Slopes of Eastern Andes in Magdalena and Norte de Santander, Northern Colombia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 7 - click on link to view photo.)
El Oro Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura orcesi ... English: El Oro Parakeet, El Oro Conure ... Dutch: El Oro Parkiet ... German: El Oro Sittich ... French: Perruche d'El Oro CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Andes Province of El Oro and Azuay, South-western Ecuador
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Pantchenko's Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta pantchenkoi ... English: Pantchenko's Conure ... Dutch: Pantchenko Parkiet ... German: Pantchenko Blaustirn Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche peinte Pantchenko CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Colombia, Venezuela
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 8 - click on link to view photo.)
Prince Lucian's Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta lucianii ... English: Prince Lucian's Conure ... Dutch: Prins Lucians Parkiet ... German: Prinz Luzians Rotschwanzsittich ... French: Perruche peinte Deville CITES II Endangered
Distribution: Upper Amazon River, North-western Brazil, South-eastern Ecuador, North-eastern and South-eastern Peru, Bolivia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 4 - click on link to view photo.)
Rose-crowned Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura rhodocephala ... English: Rose-crowned Conure ... Dutch: Roodkopparkiet ... German: Rotkopfsittich ... French: Perruche à tête rouge CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Western Venezuela
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Rose-headed Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten
... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific:Pyrrhura picta roseifrons ... English: Rose-headed Conure ... Dutch:
Rozekopparkiet ... German: Rotscheitelsittich ... French: Perruche peinte Gray CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Upper Juruá River, Amazonas, North-western Brazil
Santarém Conures: Please scroll up for additional information.
Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten
... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura picta amazonum ... English: Santarém Conure ... Dutch: Santarém Parkiet ... German: Santarémsittich ... French: Perruche peinte Hellmayr CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: Northern banks of the Amazon River, Northern Brazil
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please go to no. 2 - 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
White-necked Conures: Genus: Scientific: Pyrrhura ... English: Red-tailed
Conures ... Dutch: Roodstaartparkieten ... German: Rotschwanzsittiche ... French: Perruche à queue rouge Species: Scientific: Pyrrhura albipectus ... English: White-necked Conure ... Dutch: Witnekparkiet ... German: Weißbrustsittich, Weißhalssittich ... French: Perruche à nuque blanc CITES II - Endangered
Distribution: South-eastern Ecuador
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
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