EXPERIENCE ROXY'S PET SHOP CARE SHEETS

• Cage Size: Conures are active and social birds, so they need a spacious cage. The minimum recommended cage size for a single conure is 24 inches wide x 24 inches deep x 30 inches high, but larger is always better. A bigger cage will give them more room to move around, spread their wings, and play. If you plan to keep more than one conure, increase the size accordingly.
• Bar Spacing: Conures are medium-sized parrots, so the bar spacing should be around ½ inch to ¾ inch. Bars that are too wide can allow the bird to escape or cause injury.
• Location: Place the cage in a busy area where your conure can be part of family life. These birds enjoy socializing, so they thrive in areas where there is interaction. Avoid direct sunlight for long periods, and make sure the cage is free from drafts. Keep the cage away from open windows, kitchens, or other dangerous areas (like bathrooms with toxic cleaning chemicals).
• Perches: Conures love to climb and explore, so provide several natural wooden perches of varying sizes and shapes. Cedar, oak, and willow are safe choices for perches. Avoid perches that are made of plastic or metal, as they can cause foot issues over time. Add a gravel or mineral perch to help naturally wear down their nails and beak.
• Toys & Enrichment: Conures are highly intelligent and require a lot of mental stimulation. Provide plenty of chewable toys, foraging toys, and interactive puzzles to keep them busy. Rotating their toys frequently will prevent boredom and help stimulate their minds. Wooden toys, ropes, and swings are great options, and they love to shred paper or cardboard.

• Seeds:  Avoid mixes with a lot of sunflower seeds, as these are too fatty for conures. A mix with a variety of seeds, including millet, safflower, and canary seed, is a good option.
• Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: Conures enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables, which should be offered daily. Safe options include apples, berries, grapes, carrots, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and leafy greens like spinach, kale, and dandelion leaves. Avoid avocado, onions, garlic, and citrus fruits (like oranges or lemons), as these can be toxic to birds.
• Nuts: Conures enjoy unsalted nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and cashews, as occasional treats. Just be sure not to overfeed nuts, as they are high in fat.
• Egg Food: During molting or breeding, conures can benefit from egg food (a mixture of boiled egg, vegetables, and seeds) to help provide extra protein.
• Fresh Water: Always provide clean, fresh water. Change the water daily to avoid bacterial growth.

• Companionship: Conures are highly social birds that thrive on interaction. They do best when they are part of the family dynamic. If you’re keeping a single conure, it’s crucial to spend quality time with them daily, as they can become lonely and anxious if isolated.
• Bonding with Humans: Conures are affectionate and enjoy spending time with their owners. They are known for forming strong bonds with their human companions. They may not be as cuddly as larger parrots, but they will often seek attention, enjoy sitting on your shoulder, or even cuddle on occasion.
• Talking & Vocalization: While not as famous for talking as some parrots, many conures can learn a few words or phrases. Their vocalizations tend to be more whistling or chirping rather than full sentences. However, they are extremely vocal birds and are known to be quite loud at times. Conures are especially noisy in the morning or when they want attention.
• Training: Conures are intelligent and can be trained to do tricks or follow basic commands, such as step-up or fetch. They respond well to positive reinforcement methods like treats and praise. Training sessions should be short and fun to keep your conure engaged. Use clicker training or a verbal cue along with rewards to encourage desirable behaviors.
• Out-of-Cage Time: Conures love to fly, explore, and interact with their environment, so it’s important to give them regular out-of-cage time. Make sure the room is safe and bird-proofed (no toxic plants, exposed wires, or dangerous objects). Allow your conure to fly and interact with you, but always supervise them during out-of-cage time.

• Feather Care: Conures are natural preeners and take good care of their feathers. You can offer them a shallow bird bath or spray mist with water to encourage bathing, which keeps their feathers clean and healthy. Be sure to mist your conure with lukewarm water to avoid shock from cold water.
• Nail & Beak Care: Conures usually wear down their nails naturally, but if they become too long, you may need to trim them with bird-safe clippers. Beaks should also be naturally worn down through chewing and activity. If you notice overgrowth or other issues, it’s a good idea to have a vet examine them.
• Health Monitoring: Regularly check your conure for signs of illness, such as lethargy, fluffed-up feathers, loss of appetite, or discharge from the eyes or nostrils. Conures can suffer from respiratory issues, so avoid drafts and keep them in a well-ventilated but warm area. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult an avian vet immediately.
• Molting: Conures molt once or twice a year, shedding old feathers and growing new ones. During this time, they may appear scruffy, and their activity may decrease. You can support them by offering extra protein-rich foods like egg food. Be patient, as molting can take several weeks.

• Breeding Setup: If you plan to breed your conures, you’ll need to provide a nesting box for them. The box should be approximately 10 inches x 10 inches x 12 inches, and lined with soft bedding material such as shredded paper or coconut fiber. Conures typically nest in hollow trees in the wild, so a cavity-style nest is ideal.
• Egg Laying: Females usually lay 3 to 6 eggs per clutch, and both the male and female will take turns incubating them. Once the eggs hatch, the parents will care for the chicks by feeding them a mixture of soft foods, such as egg food, and seeds.
• Chick Care: After the chicks hatch, they will remain in the nest for about 6 to 8 weeks. The parents will feed and protect them during this time, and after they fledge, the young birds will begin to explore the world outside the nest.

• Playful & Energetic: Conures are high-energy birds that love to play, climb, and explore. They enjoy interacting with toys, chewing, and engaging in games with their human companions. They need plenty of stimulation to stay happy, and boredom can lead to unwanted behaviors like screaming or feather plucking.
• Vocalization: Conures are known for being very vocal. They can be quite loud, especially in the morning or evening. They use their voices to communicate, express excitement, or demand attention. Some species of conures, like the Sun Conure and Jenday Conure, are especially loud, so they may not be suitable for people in apartments or shared living spaces.
• Affectionate & Social: While they may not be as cuddly as some larger parrots, conures are still very affectionate and enjoy spending time with their human companions. They often enjoy being petted, sitting on your shoulder, or even cuddling under your chin. They will form strong bonds with their family and may become protective of their favorite person.
• Mischievous & Curious: Conures are known for their curiosity and can be a bit mischievous. They may get into things they shouldn't, so it’s important to keep dangerous or toxic items out of their reach. They’re highly intelligent and can learn to interact with their environment in creative ways.

• Toxic Plants & Materials: Conures are very curious, so make sure your home is free from toxic plants (like pothos, azalea, or lilies) and other hazardous materials. Avoid non-stick cookware (Teflon) or open flames, which can release dangerous fumes when heated. Remove sharp objects, exposed wires, or other household hazards from their environment.
• Other Pets: Conures can be a bit territorial or jealous, so always supervise interactions with other pets, especially larger animals like dogs or cats that may pose a risk to your bird.

Conures are delightful, social, and affectionate birds that thrive on interaction and stimulation. By providing them with a spacious cage, a varied diet, plenty of socialization, and ongoing training and enrichment, you can ensure that your conure will be a happy, healthy companion for many years to come. Whether you choose a Sun Conure, Green Cheek Conure, Blue-Crowned Conure, or another variety, these beautiful and energetic parrots will bring joy, fun, and companionship into your home.