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Comical Conures

Greetings bird lovers! This month’s profile is on one of the cutest birds of all, the Conure. These birds continue to become increasingly popular, especially for people who want to go from owning a smaller bird to something larger and different. Conures come in a variety of colors and sizes. The largest of the species, the Patagonian conure measures 18 inches in length. The smallest of the species, the orange-fronted, measures 9 inches in length, making it a little smaller than a cockatiel. The most popular types of conures kept as pets include the Patagonian, the jenday, the sun, the golden-capped, the peach-fronted, the green-cheeked, the dusky, the blue-crowned, the slender-billed, the white-eyed, the red-masked, the maroon-bellied, the green, the mitred, the Fishers, and the nanday (I think that pretty much covers them all).

One type in particular has gained recent notoriety as a star of the big screen, the blue-crowned conure, who appeared as Paulie. This bird averages about 15 inches, is mainly green with a soft blue head. Blue crowns make wonderful pets and if hand reared are extremely tame, and train and talk quite easily. The Dusky-headed conure is also among the most popular, they are mostly dark green and have grayish colored heads. They average about 11 inches and are known for their gentle and sweet dispositions. The sun conure is often regarded as the most beautifully colored of the conures. When mature, they are mainly golden with bright red-orange coloring and some green and dark blue. Young sun conures make excellent pets and can learn to talk. The jenday (see photo at right) is very similar in appearance and characteristic to the sun and golden-capped conures, they average about 12 inches. The 10 inch maroon-bellied conure is mostly green with bronze barring on the chest, they are known as a quiet conure, who will also learn to talk.

Conures are found in their native habitat ranging from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean Islands. The United States no longer imports wild-caught conures. All conures available today are domestically bred birds. Although conures can be loud at times, they offer a lot of love and affection to their owners. The housing requirements for the smaller of the conures would be something similar to a cockatiel. For the larger conures, bigger cages are best. Remember to always buy the biggest cage you can afford, but be sure the spacing is not to far apart. Your bird should not be able to get its head through the bars. Conures love to come out of their cages and play, so a play-gym would be most welcomed. Toys are a must, they love bird bells, plastic chains, swings, wooden chew toys, etc. A bored bird can easily become a frustrated feather plucker, a hard habit to reverse. A good diet for the conure would consist of pellets, very little seed, fresh fruits and vegetables. Fresh water should be readily available and changed several times during the day.

If you think the conure is the type of bird you might like more information on please contact me at 561-743-5616. We have several conure breeders out here in Jupiter Farms who would be able to give you lots more information. Thanks for reading. Coming next month—- the macaws!

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Marvelous Macaws

Greetings bird lovers! Hope everyone is enjoying the cooler temperatures and looking forward to a great fall and winter here in South Florida. If you haven’t already, now is a wonderful time of year to park your favorite pet bird outside (safely enclosed of course) for some fresh air and sunlight. If your bird is usually kept indoors it will enjoy the change of scenery and sounds of the great outdoors. I would recommend only leaving your bird on a screen enclosed porch however, as you never know when the neighbor’s cat might decide to come over and introduce itself!

Our bird of the month this time is the macaws. I’m sure everyone out there reading this has at one time or another seen a macaw. Out of all the larger parrots, this is the most recognizable one due to its immense popularity in advertising and television. Macaws are native to Central and South America. In the United States they have been kept as pets since as early as 1100 A.D. by the Pueblo Indians who still prize the tail feathers of the scarlet macaw.

Beginning with the largest of the macaws and following up next month with the mini-macaws, we start with the Hyacinth Macaw, whose overall length averages 39 inches (now that’s a big bird!). The Hyacinth is totally an indigo blue color with pale yellow eye ring and slight touch of yellow on each side of the lower beak. Due to its big size as well as big price tag ($6,000 and up), this bird is not usually kept as a pet, except by experienced parrot handlers.

The Greenwing Macaw is next in line measuring in at 39 inches. The Greenwing is sometimes mistaken for a Scarlet Macaw. Its name is misleading in that they are predominately red with a band of green on their wings. Many bird enthusiasts consider the Greenwing to be the smartest of the large macaws with the ability to learn quickly.

The Blue and Gold [picture at top of previous page] has an overall length of 34 inches. Most of this bird’s upper body from the crown of the head down back, over upperwings and tail is blue. The undersides of the body are a rich yellow-gold color. These are the most commonly available of the larger macaws. These playful, fun loving birds have an ideal personality that adapts well to changing surroundings. The Scarlet measures 33 inches. Its general appearance is close to the Greenwing, but it is smaller and is distinguished by a broad yellow band running across the wing. This bird is extremely sensitive to its environment and prone to be nippy. They will bond well with the immediate family but like all companion birds do require daily freedom from their cages and enjoy being played with.

The Military Macaw averages 27 to 29 inches. Most of the body is predominately green with some greenish-blue on flight feathers and underside of tail. It has a bright red band across the forehead. These are a great choice for someone interested in a slightly smaller bird. They are generally docile and bond and adapt well. There are a couple other types of these larger-type macaws, but I will not go into them as they are not as commonly found in the pet trade.

Macaws in general are highly sociable birds who, in the wild, live in large flocks. In captivity, once a trust is established between bird and owner, a strong bond will form. The lifespan of the larger macaws is about 50 years. Some serious considerations before entering into a lifelong relationship with a macaw should be the size of the bird, the large housing required and the potential for some loud noises! A well socialized macaw should not turn into a screaming maniac, however, they are all going to be loud at times. In general they can make very good family birds who have the ability to learn many words, some before the age of one year.

Macaws are extremely large birds that require special caging. The cage consideration for the large macaw should be at least 30 x 30 x 42. Really no cage is too big for a macaw. Playgyms are recommended for the important out of the cage time. Natural branches should be used for perches. Toys are always a must and in their case should be the large wooden type as those large beaks can get mighty destructive, and as we all know a bored bird is not a happy bird! Diet should consist of a good pellet diet, very little seed and lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.

If the larger macaws sound interesting to you and you would like to learn more, please call me at 561-743-5616. We have several macaw breeders out here in Jupiter Farms, FL who can give you all the info you need.

Thanks for reading..see you next month with information on my personal favorite, the “mini-macaws”.

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Shopping with Sherry!

I thought with the holidays being just around the corner, some of our readers may enjoy a partial listing of websites available that offer a wide variety of bird related products for online shopping. I have checked out many of these sites and the products are quite unique, so you may be interested in browsing in the comfort of your home!

If it is bird artwork that you are interested in, the following website offers several hand-signed prints measuring 11x14. For some truly beautiful artwork and a huge selection, shop at Donna Francis.

Painted mailboxes are always a popular item and are available along with ornaments, jewelry, glassware, greeting cards, t-shirts, and much more at Artistic Stylings.

Having problems teaching your bird to talk? You may like to stick a video in his stocking. Check out The Feather Tree to make your parrot the smartest on the block!

Love that cockatiel? Humorous “ScooterWare” t-shirts and related items are available featuring Mr. Scooter the cockatiel.

Interested in a little gold for yourself this holiday? Check out some beautiful jewelry featuring many of our favorite birds and wildlife offered at Earthly Designs.

Avian art prints are offered at To The Point Design Studio featuring stationery, Christmas cards, wrap, etc.

What time is bird time? ANYTIME!! Great bird watches are offered at Time of Your Life.

I could go on and on, but whoever is in charge of retyping this article has probably just about had it with trying to meticulously type these websites without error, so enough already!!!

[Editor's note: don't forget that we have tons of websites that features Gifts as well as Supplies here on our site. Check out our Pet Links Directory!]

If you are the type of shopper who prefers to have a hands-on shopping experience, several of our area pet shops are now offering many fun holiday animal gifts. We have some of the best and well stocked stores in the area including Splash Landing, Petpourri, Pet Supermarket and our own fabulous and fun shopping experience, Passion for Pets Gift Boutique, at Harmony Animal Hospital in Jupiter, FL. So when you are out there doing your holiday shopping, don’t forget that feathered or furry friend of yours!

If it is the real thing you are in search of, don’t forget our wonderful hard working bird loving breeders out here in Jupiter Farms. Many types of new babies will be available either before or shortly after the holidays, so don’t forget to contact us at 561-743-5616 and we can connect you with a reputable breeder.

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Mini Macaws

One of my own personal favorites is the mini-macaw! Miniature macaws originate from various areas of South America and occupy areas from rain forests to dry open savannas. These birds vary in size of generally no longer than 18 or 19 inches. Many are only 11 to 12 inches. The best way to acquire one of these birds is as a hand-fed baby who has been bonded and socialized to people. Speaking from personal experience, as I have a Hahn’s mini macaw of my own, these birds are extremely sweet, comical, and entertaining and soon earn a special place in the family. Most species become very good talkers.

The Hahn’s macaw is the smallest of all the mini macaws. It measures 11 to 12 inches. This bird originates from Venezuela, the Guyanas and eastern Brazil. These birds are not screamers, very intelligent and are capable of entertaining themselves for hours. They are overall green, with a blue forehead, and a little yellow under the wings and red on the bend of the wing.

The Severe Macaw is larger than the Hahn’s measuring 18 to 19 inches, they are actually the most colorful of the mini macaws, their chestnut brown front plumage blends into a bluish green around the crown of the head. General body color is green. They pick up words and phrases quite easily and are extremely popular in the pet industry as they are known to be colorful, friendly and intelligent birds who quickly become attached to their owners.

The yellow-collared macaw is 14 to 15 inches long. They come from Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and northern Argentina. Their plumage color is green with black forehead, and are distinguished by a yellow collar in neck area. The tail feathers are light maroon that turn blue at the tip of the tail. These macaws tend to be a bit shyer in personality and also a bit noisier. Their temperament seems to make them slightly less desirable than the two previous mentioned types. Other types of mini-macaws that are not as readily available in the market for pet trade are the Illigers, Red-bellied, Noble and Red-shouldered.

Diet for the mini-macaw should consist of high quality pellet, fresh fruits and vegetables, pastas and grains, with sunflower seeds and small nuts as a treat. Fresh water should always be available. Macaws love to work with their beaks and feet to explore opening nuts and peeling fruit. In addition to being entertaining for the owner, the bird enjoys its physical and psychological interaction with food. As always, variety is the spice of life!

Another attractive feature of the mini-macaw is the ability to have the personality of the larger macaw packed into a more economical package. Housing is not nearly the size of what their larger counterparts require. A cage of approximately 24 wide by 24 deep by 30 high would be adequate. Of course, the larger the better, just be sure when selecting your cage that the bar spacing is not too far apart. Your bird should not be able to get its head through the bars. Make sure you select a cage with a big enough door opening that you can get your hand in for your bird to perch on to withdraw it from inside. Irregular shaped perches, preferably made of tree branches or manzanita wood are best. A wide variety of rope toys, donut swings, rawhide and leather encourage chewing and playing activity. Play gyms and time out of the cage are also appreciated. Routine beak, nail and wing trimming are recommended provided by an avian veterinarian.

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Amazing African Greys

The bird of choice this month is the African Grey. The African Grey has two recognized sub-species, both are found in Africa, (of course!). The Congo reside along the southeastern Ivory Coast, Kenya and Tanzania. The second type, the Timneh are found in a smaller region along the western edge of the Ivory Coast and throughout Southern Guinea and Liberia. The Congo is the larger of the two, its feathers are typically light gray with white edging giving a lacy look, with a red tail. The Timneh smaller and has a darker gray body with a maroon to dark gray tail. The African Grey parrot is one of many species of animals listed as part of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species Treaty, and is banned from commercial international trade. This treaty was drawn to protect wildlife from exploitation and from the risk of extinction. All birds less than 10 years (and many over 10 years) of age are domestically bred.

The African Grey is one of the top talkers of the parrot world. They very often have the ability to repeat words and phrases that they have heard just a few times. They come into full talking ability at a year of age, sometimes sooner. African Greys also have the wonderful ability to mimic a multitude of sounds such as telephone rings, laughing, coughing, sneezing, cat meows, alarms, etc. We have an African Grey Congo, at Harmony Animal Hospital where I work, by the name of Sam, or as we fondly refer to him, Sam-Bird. He greets us all every morning as we walk in with a funny little robotic sounding Heeelllooo!! It always starts us off with a smile! He is also guaranteed to provide you with a wolf-whistle at some point in the day, also a great pick-me-up!

Aside from their conversation, Greys are relatively quiet birds. The sounds they make are not screams and are not repetitive and should not interfere with your neighbors' peace and quiet. This parrot’s intelligence is another reason it has become a very sought after companion bird. The most famous African Grey, Alex, owned by Dr. Irene Pepperberg, who you may have seen on various animal programs, has been the focus of Dr. Pepperberg’s studies at the University of Arizona. Alex is now 23 years old and can recognize and verbally identify close to 50 objects. His intelligence level is quoted to be close to a 3 or 4 year old child. Because of the high intelligence level, these birds are prone to boredom. In addition to providing colorful hanging toys, foot toys for chewing and puzzle toys made of safe and well constructed materials are appreciated. A good selection rotated often will make the most of playtime.

Greys are typically not a “cuddley” type bird. They enjoy some head scratching and petting, but do not enjoy intense physical contact. These parrots do not usually take well to birds of other species. In the wild they are not a multi-species flock bird. In order to make a grey feel more a part of your flock it is best to place them in a family room where it can be included in daily activities. The cage is best situated against a wall where the bird can see when someone is approaching. A good cage size for a grey is rectangular, and least three feet wide and two feet deep with one-inch spacing. Avoid cages with scrollwork that can trap toes or feet. Daily bathing or misting is appreciated.

The diet of the grey should consist of a variety of mostly pellets, and some soft foods. A variety of pastas, beans, grains, vegetables and fruits are enjoyed. Birds look upon eating as a source of entertainment, so try to make it interesting.

The African Grey is not the best choice for the first time bird owner. Due to its sensitivity and intelligence, boredom, feather picking and screaming can result if they are not attended to with the same physical and emotional attention that would be given to a small child. It is best to talk to owners of African Greys and breeders before making a decision of a possible 50 year commitment.

Editor's comments: "Alex" is the very famous and amazingly intelligent African Grey taught by Irene Pepperberg described above. Dr. Pepperberg and her students taught Alex tasks that were once thought beyond the capability of all but humans or, possibly, certain nonhuman primates. He can distinguish and verbalize shapes, colors, quantities, and understands the names for a multitude of different objects. He can respond accurately to a number of different questions posed to him. For more information about "Alex" and Dr. Pepperberg's work with this amazing avian, visit their site.

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