. sun conure
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- Scientific Name: Aratinga
solstitialis
- Common Name/s: SUN
CONURE, YELLOW CONURE.
- Sub Species in country / area of origin:
No
- Origin / Distribution:
North of the Amazon River in north-east South America.
- Habitat In Wild: Tropical and
subtropical grasslands and lightly timbered areas.
- Status In Wild: Becoming rare due
to loss of habitat and illegal trapping for the bird trade.
- Status In (Australian) Captivity:
Secure.
- Age To Sexual Maturity: About
24 months.
- Adult plumage: attained at about
18
months
- Best breeding years (estimate):
24 months of age onwards
- Lifespan (estimate): approx.
20 or more
years
- Sexing: Monomorphic
/ Dimorphic. Surgical or DNA sexing is often
necessary.
- Colour mutations: Yes
- Availability: Bird dealers.
- Temperament:
Sun conures are very colourful
birds. They can be very noisy and
are generally un-suitable for a residential area. Can make great
pets if hand reared as babies. Can be bred in cages or an aviary.
Best kept one pair per aviary. Like to chew timber. Can
make an excellent companion bird or pet, especially if only one is
kept. However there is one proviso and that is that these
birds as pets can be very demanding of your time and attention.
They may sleep in their nest box year round. Generally
prolific breeders.
- Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: -
Normal colour (Approx.) $1000
- Description Of Adults: There
is variation between individuals in respect to their colour.
Predominantly yellow and predominantly orange young can occur in the
same nest and does not seem to have a predictable genetic
inheritance.
- Length: Approx. 300 mm (or approx. 12 inches)
- Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer
photo/s above if available.
- Weight: Approx. 100 - 120 gms (or approx. 3.5
- 4 ozs)
A new conure species has been identified in Brazil. The new
species has been called the Sulphur-breasted conure. Scientific
name is Aratinga pintoi. These birds look similar to an
immature Sun conure. "This species appears to be a kind of
"missing link" between the Sun and Janday Conure". Refer to ABK Vol. 18 Issue
9. Jun-July 2005 Page 526-527.
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.
The Sun conure can be housed and bred in a large indoor
cage. They do better in a small parrot aviary than in
a large cage.
Should be kept as one pair per aviary
and not housed with any other species of birds. 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.
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.
Diet / Feeding: Refer to "
Conures " web page for general
details on the feeding of conures.
Along with a quality seed mix, Sun
conures like a variety of fruits and
vegetables. Most fruits (except avocado) people eat will be eaten
by conures. Most vegetables (except onion) people eat will be
eaten by conures. They love corn-on-the-cob. Thawed frozen
vegetables can be used when fresh is not available.
Quality dry commercial parrot pellet feeds are
becoming available and may form part of a balanced diet.
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: May
breed year round. Spring to autumn is preferable.
- Log / Nest-box:
- Length
/ depth 300 - 500 mm (or approx. 12 - 20 inches)
- Log internal
diameter approx. 250 mm. (or approx. 10
inches)
- Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 200 - 225
mm square (or approx. 8 - 9 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.
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 3 - 5. Incubation
approx. 24 - 26 days. Fledge approx. 7 - 8 weeks.
Independent approx. another 2 - 3 weeks. The young may
return to the nest box after they fledge.
The Sun conure is generally easy to breed. Make good
parents and have been used to foster valuable larger parrots.
Young can be leg rung with closed leg rings at about 15 days of age.
Some hens will try to breed continually, however they should be
restricted to no more than 3 clutches per year. More than 3
clutches per year may adversely effect the hen reducing her breeding
life, health and longevity.
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.
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 59 No. 9 Sept 2005 Page 203-204.
- A/A Vol 52 No. 8 Aug 1998 Page 187-189
- A/A Vol 52 No. 5 May 1998 Page 97-98
- A/A Vol 42 No. 10 Oct 1988 Page 237-238
(Inc Photo)
- Australian Birdkeeper
- ABK Vol 18 Issue 9. Jun-July 2005 Page 526-527 (New conure
species in Brazil- Sulphur breasted conure).
- ABK Vol 16 Issue 9. Jun-Jul 2003 Page
495-498.
- ABK Vol 14 Issue 8. Apr-May 2001 Page 435-438.
- ABK Vol 13 Issue 1. Feb-Mar 2000 Page 47
- ABK Vol 10 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 1997 Page 550
- ABK Vol 4 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 1991 Page 534-538
- ABK Vol 3 Issue 3. Jun-July 1990 Page 103-107
- ABK Vol 2 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1989 Page 238-240
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