If you’re considering getting a pet bird, you might feel a bit overwhelmed by all the options available to you. Even if you know you don’t want a large bird, like a macaw or African grey parrot, choosing between all the different smaller bird species can still be tough. One type of pet bird you might consider are conures, small to medium-sized birds from the parrot family.
Colorful, active, and noisy, conures will certainly not fail to make you notice them. But do conures make great pets? When hand-raised and properly socialized, conures can make excellent pets. Because they enjoy an active home environment and tolerate handling well, conures are one of the better pet birds for families with kids.
Why Are Conures Great Pets?
Well-socialized conures make great pets for several reasons but at the top of the list has to be their personalities. Unlike some pet birds who are shy and less interactive, conures love to be in the center of family activity. They don’t like being left alone and love to spend time out of their cages, hanging out with their people.
Conures can do well with children who are familiar with how to properly interact with birds. They don’t mind and even enjoy being handled. Conures can be fun pets for kids because they can learn tricks and how to imitate behaviors. Many conures can also learn to say a few words or phrases clearly.
Are Conures Good for Beginner Bird Owners?
Several species of conures are considered good choices for first-time bird owners. Sun conures and green-cheeked conures are two of them. Generally speaking, conures are inexpensive and easy to buy. Their cages don’t take up as much space as larger birds and their day-to-day care isn’t too complicated. The friendly and gentle nature of conures is the top reason they are good for beginning bird owners. Properly socialized conures are entertaining pets and loving companions who rarely bite.
Are Conures Easy Pets to Keep?
In general, conures are not too complicated to take care of although they do require a daily time commitment. They should have a cage at least 36 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high. Because they are playful and active birds, conures will need a variety of toys and perches in their cage to keep them entertained.
Conures should be fed commercial pellet food, supplemented with an assortment of fresh fruits and vegetables. Any uneaten fresh food should be cleaned up every day and the conure’s cage should be cleaned out daily as well. Conures need fresh drinking water daily as well as regular spritz showers or a larger container of water to bathe in.
Conures prefer several hours a day out of their cages, spending time with their owners. They enjoy cuddling, perching on shoulders, and training sessions. Mental and physical activity is just as important for a conure’s health as keeping clean and eating the right diet.
Is a Conure the Right Pet for You?
Even though conures usually make great pets, there are a few things to consider when deciding if they are a good fit for your family.
For one thing, conures do tend to be noisy birds. Their primary method of communicating is with a loud screech, which may not be appreciated by close neighbors. Because of this, they aren’t good pets for apartment living.
Another point to consider is how much time a conure would need to spend alone in your household. In the wild, conures live in large flocks, constantly surrounded by companions. While your conure won’t need you around 24/7, they also won’t do well if they’re left alone for long periods of the day. They’d prefer to have someone home with them, but at the least, they need several hours a day of dedicated attention and interaction.
If you’re not able to give a conure daily attention, consider getting a different type of pet or commit to buying your conure another bird to keep them company. Bored and lonely conures may become anti-social or develop behavioral problems like feather picking.
What Types of Conures Make the Best Pets?
How a conure has been raised and socialized is more important than what species they are when determining whether they will be good pets. However, a few types of conures are generally considered the best as pets.
Conures, especially these popular species, are usually easy to find for sale at pet stores or from exotic bird breeders. They may also be available for adoption from shelters or rescue groups.
Final Thoughts
If you can provide them enough attention, conures can make great pets. Conures that have been hand-raised and socialized with people from an early age will make the best companions. Whether you have a busy family or you are a first-time bird owner, conures could be the right pet bird for you.
Before bringing home a conure, make sure you have the time to give them the daily attention they need. Also, keep in mind that conures, when properly cared for, can live as long as 30 years, so they are not a commitment to make lightly. However, once a conure has you under its charm, those years may not seem long enough!
Featured Image Credit: Kingma, Shutterstock
