Playful jokers
Green-cheeked conures love making silly squeaks and odd little sounds, as if they are joking around with their owner.
Green-cheeked conure
Pyrrhura molinae Playful, acrobatic and cuddlyA small-to-medium parrot from South America with red tail feathers, a white ring around each eye and its signature green cheeks.
Native to South America
Cuddly companion
- Size
- About 25 cm 60–80 g
- Lifespan
- 20–30 years A long-term commitment
- Noise level
- Fairly quiet Quieter than larger conures
- Talking ability
- Limited Some learn a few words
- Minimum cage
- 24 inches Wide, tall and deep
Know your conure
They are not known for talking. They make up for it with silly antics and a cuddly personality.
Natural acrobats
They hang upside down, swing from ropes and climb the cage bars just because they can.
Cuddly companions
Every bird is different, but this species is known for being affectionate. Many enjoy petting and handling, and some snuggle up once they feel safe and bonded.
Colors
Wild birds have dark heads and maroon-red tails. Selective breeding has added shades from soft mint to ruby red.
Cinnamon
One of the common colors bred in captivity.
Yellow-sided
One of the common colors bred in captivity.
Turquoise
One of the common colors bred in captivity.
Hard to tell apart
Both are about the same size, though males tend to have larger heads and beaks. A DNA test is the most reliable way to know.
Rare mutations
High red
Mint
Suncheek
Mooncheek
Care basics
What a green-cheeked conure needs every day, taken from the full video.
Diet
A pellet-based diet with fresh vegetables and fruit. Seeds only as an occasional treat.
Housing
Start at about 24 inches (61 cm) wide, tall and deep, and go bigger if possible. A wide cage allows short flights.
Perches and toys
Natural branches for healthy feet, foraging toys to stay busy, shreddable toys for the beak, and swings or ropes for climbing.
Time out of the cage
About 2 to 4 hours of supervised time a day, split through the day. They chew things around the house, so watch for hazards and escapes.
YouTube
All conure videos on YouTube
Conure videos
Full species video
Personality, acrobatics, colors, cage setup, daily care and the downsides to know before getting one.
- 1Introduction
- 2Traits
- 3Colors
- 4Care
- 5Downsides
- 6Summary
Is a conure right for you?
Green-cheeked conures are cuddly, playful and full of energy, always looking for something to climb, chew or snuggle. They are not the best talkers, and their charm comes from their silly antics.
A good fit if
- You want an affectionate bird that enjoys being handled.
- You can give 2 to 4 hours of supervised time out of the cage every day.
- You are fine with cleaning up after a bird every day.
Know the downsides
Nippy
They explore with their beaks, and nibbling can turn into biting when they are hormonal, bored or handled poorly.
Train calmly
Most owners get nipped at some point. Calm training without punishment works best.
Food flinging
They fling food and climb into the bowl to push everything out.
Droppings everywhere
Expect droppings in random places and toy scraps around the home.
Chewing
Bored conures chew and destroy things around the house.
Up to 30 years
Only get one if you are ready for decades of care.
Meet the other six
All species
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