The Crimson Bellied Conure is one of many species of Conure, and some owners prefer to call it a Crimson Bellied Parakeet. It’s a colorful bird that usually stands about nine inches tall with white eye-rings. If you are thinking about getting one of these attractive birds for your home but would like to know more about it first, keep reading while we discuss origin, temperament, diet, and more so you can make an informed decision.
Species Overview
| Common Names: | Crimson Bellied Conure, Crimson Bellied Parakeet. |
| Scientific Name: | Pyrrhura perlata |
| Adult Size: | 9 inches |
| Life Expectancy: | 20 years |
Origin and History
You can find the Crimson Bellied Conure in the Amazon rainforest of South America, where it is still common in Bolivia and Brazil. However, due to extreme deforestation in its range, The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies it as vulnerable. Scientists once thought it was similar to the Pearly Parakeet and put it into the Pyrrhura rhodogaster, but the information it was based on turned out to be false, so they renamed it the Pyrrhura perlata.
Temperament
The Crimson Bellied Conure is one of the most popular conures kept as pets because it is extremely lively and friendly. It’s one of the few cuddly birds that will often form strong bonds and cuddle with their owner. Its call is soft and pleasant, and it will often whistle melodies or mimic sounds it hears in the home. It’s quite affectionate and can even act silly when it’s getting the attention it craves, hiding in your clothes and in your hair. However, it will get much louder if you ignore it or spend too much time away from home, and they may even start to tear apart things in their cage.
Speech & Vocalizations
As we mentioned earlier, the Crimson Bellied Conure has soft and pleasing vocalizations unless it feels left out or ignored. In most cases, these birds are one of the quieter conures that you can purchase, making them a great choice for small apartments and children. It makes more frequent chirps when it is having fun and tends to mimic sounds it hears in the house, like alarm clocks, doorbells, television melodies, and even the dog barking. Your bird might even learn a few words to say to you.
Crimson Bellied Conure Colors and Markings
The Crimson Bellied Conure is a colorful bird with a bright red belly, as the name suggests. The back, wings, and thighs are mostly green, but the wings can have turquoise coloring on the bottom half, and there is a little more of this color on the upper back. The head, neck, and chest are white and grey with some green patches for cheeks and some light blue on the forehead. The eyes have a ring of white around them, and there is usually some red coloring in the tail
Caring for the Crimson Bellied Conure
One of the best things about owning a Crimson Bellied Conure is that they are not very difficult to keep healthy and happy. We recommend purchasing a cage that’s at least two feet wide, two feet deep, and two and a half feet tall, but a larger cage will work even better. Inside the cage, you will need at least three perches your bird can use to move around, and they also help to keep the claws in good shape.
You will also need to add a food and water bowl to the cage, and many owners like to provide a bathing area. Soft wooden toys are perfect for keeping the beak strong and sharp, and there are plenty of commercial products you can purchase your you can build them if you are handy with tools.
Common Health Problems
Your Crimson Bellied Conure is an extremely healthy bird with a long lifespan of 20 years or more and no known health problems they are predisposed to acquiring. The most common problem you are likely to face is diarrhea brought on by eating too much fruit and should pass in a day or so, but it can also result from bacteria or parasites. If your bird was eating something it doesn’t usually eat or is a new addition to your home, we recommend taking your pet to the vet to have it looked over so you can be sure you are providing the best treatment for your bird.
Diet and Nutrition
Your Crimson Bellied Conure will primarily eat seeds, flowers, fruit, and vegetables. There are several commercial brands available the will help you provide your pet a balanced diet to keep your pet happy. We recommend choosing a brand with no chemical preservatives or artificial coloring. We also recommend occasionally providing your pet with some fresh fruit, like apple slices, to help you bond and give your bird a treat it will enjoy. However, you don’t want to overdo it with fruit because it can lead to diarrhea, so keep the portions small and infrequent.
Exercise
Your Crimson Bellied Conure will enjoy some time out of the cage as frequently as you can allow. Most owners recommend allowing your pet to roam around exploring your home for at least four hours each day to be the right amount. This activity will help give your bird the exercise it needs to stay healthy, giving it a better chance of reaching its maximum lifespan.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Crimson Bellied Conure
The Crimson Bellied Conure is quite popular, so there is a good chance you will find one at your local pet store. We recommend setting aside at least $450 to purchase your bird, but it can be considerably more if you need to locate and travel to a breeder.
Conclusion
The Crimson Bellied Conure is a wonderful pet that doesn’t make as much noise as many other breeds, so they are more tolerable in enclosed spaces and are even suitable for apartment life. It doesn’t require a cage that’s too large, and it doesn’t require any special lighting or humidity. It’s a friendly species that is noticeably happy when you are around and will often climb on your head and in your clothes while it’s playing.
We hope you have enjoyed reading over this guide, and it has helped answer your questions. If we have convinced you to purchase one of these colorful birds for your home, please share this guide to the Crimson Bellied Conure on Facebook and Twitter.
Featured Image Credit: Kittyukari, Shutterstock
