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

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. maroon tailed conure
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  • Scientific Name:  Pyrrhura melanura
  • Common Name/s:  MAROON TAILED CONURE,  BLACK TAILED CONURE.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin:  4
  • Origin / Distribution:  South America
  • Habitat In Wild:  Rainforests and surrounding areas.
  • Status In Wild:  Secure
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Rare
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  About 12 months of age
  • Adult plumage: attained at about ? months  
  • Best breeding years (estimate): 2nd year onwards.
  • Lifespan (estimate):  approx. 20 or more years
  • Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations:  No
  • Availability:  Specialist breeders
  • Temperament:  Overseas they are good reliable breeders.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $Lots
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx.  240 - 250 mm  (or approx. 10 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx. ? gms (or approx. ? ozs)

The tail feathers cause the two names for these birds.  When the tail is viewed from the top the colour is black, but when the underside is viewed the colour is maroon.

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.

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.

Natural diet includes seeds, nuts, fruits, berries and flowers.

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)
    • Log internal diameter approx. 250 - 300 mm. (or approx. 10 - 12 inches)
    • Nest-box internal dimensions approx.  250 mm square (or approx. 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 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.

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 - 25 days.  Fledge approx. 6 - 7 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 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.

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.

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.

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

  • Australian Birdkeeper

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