Red-fronted Conures
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The Red-fronted Conure combines talent and good looks in an impressive package. It learns to talk quite well and is beautifully colored. (Photos to the right: www.hideawayfarms.com)
They do require attention, entertainment, things to do -- or else they will become bored and develop behavioral problems. Although they are not as noisy as other Conure species, they do have the conure high-pitch shriek that may irritate many but the most tolerant bird lovers. However, they usually scream only if startled or very excited.
Generally speaking, Red-fronted Conures are easily trained and make good companions for those who will make an effort to make sure that their environment is stimulating and that they get the attention they so crave. They need larger cages to accommodate the different toys to keep them entertained when their human companions are not available to play with them.
Description:
The redfronted conure is the second largest of all conure species. They average between 14 to 15 inches in length. Their plumage is predominantly green, with breast feathers being colored lighter green than the body feathers. The face above the ceres, forehead, crown and bend of the wing are red. The undersides of its flight feathers, under-wing coverts and tail feathers are olive-yellow. The iris is yellow-red; the bills are horn-colored and the legs of a brownish coloration.
Cost:
Average $300 to $400 depending on source, location, and availability.
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:
- Sources for Purchasing or Adopting your Companion or Aviary Birds
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird / Fun & Safe Toys
- Caring for your companion bird
Breeding/Reproduction:
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:
- 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 tor 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.
Taxonomy:
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ...
Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche
... French: Aratinga 
Species: Scientific:
Aratinga wagleri wagleri aka Psittacara wagleri wagleri
... English: Red-fronted Conure ... Dutch: Waglers Aratinga,
Colombiaanse Aratinga ... German: Kolumbiasittich ...
French: Conure à front rouge Sub-Species: wagleri,
transilis, frontata, minor CITES
II - Endangered Distribution: North-western Venezuela, Colombia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots
Carriker's Conures: For additional information, please scroll up.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga wagleri minor aka Psittacara wagleri minor ... English: Carriker's Conure ... Dutch: Carrikers Aratinga ... German: Carrikerssittich ... French: Perruche de Carriker
Description: As Scarlet-fronted Conure below except smaller (15 ins or 38 cm long), and with darker and duller plumage; less pronounced notch to upper mandible
CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Central and Southern Peru
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 4 - click on link to view photo.)
Peter's Conures: For additional information, please scroll up.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific:Aratinga wagleri transilis aka Psittacara wagleri transilis ... English: Peter's Conure ... Dutch: Venezuela Aratinga ... German: Venezuelasittich ... French: Conure de Venezuela
Description: As Red-fronted Conure featured above, but smaller (13.5 ins or 34 cm long) and generally with darker green and red feathering; red to head not so extensive.
CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Northern Venezuela, Eastern Colombia
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Scarlet-fronted Conures: For additional information, please scroll up.
Genus: Scientific: Aratinga ... English: Conures ... Dutch: Wigstaartparkieten ... German: Keilschwanzsittiche ... French: Aratinga Species: Scientific: Aratinga wagleri frontata aka Psittacara wagleri frontata ... English: Scarlet-fronted Conure ... Dutch: Peru Aratinga ... German: Perusittich ... French: Conure de Perou
Description: As Red-fronted Conure featured above, but bigger (15.5 ins or 40 cm long) and red on head extends to eyes; bend and edge of wing as well as thighs red. Immature birds may have ared band to breast; red of forehead and the crown does not extend to the eye.
CITES II - Endangered Distribution: Western Ecuador, Western Peru
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
