Maroon bellied Conure
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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• Scientific Name:  Pyrrhura frontalis
• Common Name/s:  MAROON BELLIED CONURE,  MAROON CONURE,  RED BELLIED CONURE.  
• Sub Species in country / area of origin:  3
• Origin / Distribution:  South America.  Around Brazil and surrounding areas.
• Habitat In Wild:  Forested areas and surrounding secondary vegetation and will forage in farmlands and plantations.
• Status In Wild:  Vulnerable
• Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Rare, but numbers are increasing.
• Age To Sexual Maturity:  about 12 months
• Adult plumage: attained at about ? months
• Lifespan (estimate):  approx. 20 or more years
• Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic
• Mutations:  Yes
• Availability:  Specialist breeders.
• Temperament:  Less colourful than many of the other conures but is still a popular bird.  Generally less noisy than other species of conure.  More aggressive than other conures.  Can develop a habit of "nipping" the owner.  A habit that should be discouraged.  Love to bathe.
• Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $2000
• Description Of Adults:  Similar to the Green cheeked Conure.

1. Length: Approx. 250 - 260mm (or approx 10 inches)
2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
3. Weight: Approx 85 gms (or approx 3 ozs)

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws:  Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Conures " web page for general details on the housing of Conures.

They do better in a small parrot aviary than in a large cage.  Often bred in suspended aviary / cage.

An aviary should be at least 2 metres (6 - 7 feet) long.

Due to their rarity in Australia they should be housed as one pair per aviary to maximize the potential breeding results.

Conures are best housed as one pair per cage or aviary and it is generally unwise to have any other birds in the same aviary.  They may kill any bird they do not like.
Leafy branches can be placed in the aviary or cage for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly.  Check with local aviculturalists or an avian veterinarian to ascertain which shrub/tree species are non toxic and safe to give to the birds.

Diet / Feeding:  Refer to " Conures " web page for general details on the feeding of Conures.

As per "Conures" web page.

These conures eat a lot of fruits and vegetables.

Nesting:  A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences 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.

• Nesting months:
• Log / Nest-box:
  • Length / depth  400 - 600 mm (or approx.  16 - 24 inches).  Rosemary Low recommends a nest of  310mm ( 12 inches) deep.
  • Log internal diameter approx. 250 mm. (or approx. 10 inches)
  • Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 200 - 250 mm square (or approx. 8 - 10 inches square)
  • 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 nest-boxes are vertical.
• Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
• Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Conures have a habit of removing all the nest box material and laying their eggs on the bare wooden base.

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.

May roost in the nest box year round.  Leaving the nest box in throughout the year gives them a place that gives them a sense of security.

Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening about 100mm (about 4 inches) from the top. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year 2 - 3.  Eggs per nest 4 - 6, but sometimes more.  Incubation approx 23 - 26 days.  Fledge approx 6 - 8 weeks.  Independent approx. another 2 - 3 weeks.

If there is a large clutch of eggs and most hatch it is advisable to have foster parents available or be prepared to hand raise the smaller or the last young to hatch.  Unlike some species of parrots which have the young hatch at the same time, these conures eggs hatch at intervals of about 2 days between each egg.

The Pyrrhura genus hatchlings are difficult to hand rear as a hatchling and better results are obtained if they are fostered under other Pyrrhura species.  Eggs placed in another Pyrrhura species nest should have a better chance of hatching and surviving than those that are placed in an incubator and hand reared.

General practise is to remove the young birds from the parent birds and as soon as they are fully independent so as to avoid possible aggression from a parent.

Overseas, these birds are hand-reared to be sold to the pet or companion bird market.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues:  Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

• Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
• Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

• Australian Aviculture

• A/A Vol 60 No. 2 Feb 2006 Page 25-26 ( inc cover photo)
• A/A Vol 59 No. 9 Sept 2005 Page 203-204.
• Australian Birdkeeper

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