SUN CONURES

The sun conure is a popular species of conure, known for its stunning plumage, friendly personality, and exceptional qualities as a companion bird. This bird is admired for its beauty, liveliness, and vocal expressions. The sun conure measures approximately 12 inches in length and is most recognizable by its bright orange and yellow colouring, often mottled with green splotches. It has a black beak, white rings around its eyes, and a long, tapering tail. The striking coloration and sweet temperament of the sun conure make it a favourite among pet owners. Immature birds do not reach their full coloration until about two years of age and require DNA testing for sexing.

 

**Native Region / Natural Habitat** 

The sun conure is native to South America, specifically Venezuela, northern Brazil, and Guyana.

 

**Care & Feeding** 

Sun conures thrive when they have time outside their cage to play and socialize. They enjoy being the centre of attention and do not like to be left alone. A sun conure will appreciate having another sun conure as a companion, as long as the owners are attentive to both birds. Because it belongs to the Aratinga family, it can be paired with other Aratinga species, such as Jenday, Nanday, or gold-capped conures, but only for companionship and not for breeding. It's advisable to choose birds of the same sex to avoid breeding complications. Some breeders create hybrids known as "Sundays" or "Jensuns," but this practice is discouraged as it can affect the already limited gene pool.

Pellets that contain soy should be avoided, as nearly all brands except one or two do. Soy contains a compound that mimics the hormone estrogen, which disrupts the endocrine system and can lead to various hormone-related issues. In our experience, we feed a natural diet daily, and our birds have no hormone problems as a result.

 

Consider researching soy's known effects on birds and mammals; it's surprising that reputable pellet manufacturers include it in their products. The primary reason seems to be cost, it is cheap.

 

In vitro studies suggest that isoflavones in soy inhibit the synthesis of oestradiol and other steroid hormones. These compounds have been linked to reproductive issues, infertility, thyroid problems, and liver disease in various animal species, including mice, cheetahs, quail, pigs, rats, sturgeon, and sheep. Additionally, soy foods can block calcium absorption and cause vitamin D deficiencies, among other issues.

 

As a caregiver to many conures and other birds, I do not feed them any commercial avian pellets. Instead, our birds receive a varied natural diet, which includes sprouted beans (such as mung, lentil, and adzuki), corn, wheat, barley, oats, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and more. We also provide fresh or frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, beetroots, and various greens, as well as fruits like apples. Throughout the year, our birds receive high-quality seeds, and none have ever been exposed to pellets. They remain healthy and thrive on this diet. With proper nutrition and exercise, sun conures can live for 25 to 30 years.

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**Personality & Behaviour** 

Sun conures are playful and often display clownish behaviours, such as lying on their backs or hanging from the top bars of their cages. They are also easily trainable and tend to be extremely affectionate, forming deep bonds with gentle owners. They make excellent family pets and are unlikely to show aggression toward family members if treated kindly and attentively.

 

**Speech & Sound** 

Sun conures have periods of noise followed by periods of quiet. A conure that feels insecure or lonely may become persistently loud. While sun conures can learn to mimic speech, they need to be taught with patience in order to learn a few words.