Conure

Quick Take

• Wild flocks of these South American birds have established themselves somewhere most people would never expect to find them. See their Florida range →
• Some conures skip trees entirely and build their nests inside something far more unexpected. Explore their nesting habits →
• Nicknamed the 'clowns' of the parrot world, conures earn that title through behaviors that go well beyond being loud. Discover their playful behavior →
• More than 45 conure species are in serious trouble, and the biggest threat isn't what most people assume. Review the conservation threats →

The conure is a loosely defined group of small to large parrots and parakeets classified in the family Psittacidae, native to Central and South America. They inhabit tropical and subtropical lowland forests, where they spend their days foraging in large flocks or perched on treetops. These birds are known as “clowns” and often exhibit attention-seeking behavior.  

Amazing Conure Facts

• There are wild flocks of nanday parakeets on Florida’s west coast.
• They are intelligent and noisy, often mimicking sounds and learning vocabulary.
• These birds have small rostrums on their beaks used for eating.
• Conures forage on the ground in large flocks to protect themselves from predators.

Where to Find the Conure

All conure species live in Central and South America. Many inhabit areas of Brazil, while others live in countries like Guyana, Paraguay, Argentina, Bolivia, and Puerto Rico. One species, the nanday parakeet, can be found in the wild in parts of Florida, like St. Petersburg and Clearwater, on the west coast. Most conure species live in tropical to subtropical moist lowland forests, dry savannas, and plantations. Look for them flocked together in the treetops or returning to their roosts an hour before sunset. Their noisy calls make them hard to miss.

Nests

Conures make their nests in tree holes, but some will burrow holes into termite mounds. Other species will use rock crevices in cliffs.

Classification and Scientific Name

Conures are small-to-medium, often long-tailed New World parrots commonly kept as pets. The term is informal and spans multiple genera rather than a single taxonomic unit, as many are Neotropical parrots within the Psittacidae family. Breeders mainly use the term “conure,” but scientists refer to them simply as “parakeets” or “parrots.” 

Aviculturists list ten genera in the conure group:

• Aratinga
• Pyrrhura
• Psittacara
• Eupsittula
• Golden conure
• Patagonian conure
• Enicognathus
• Golden-plumed conure
• Yellow-eared conure
• Carolina parakeet (extinct)

Size, Appearance, & Behavior

Conures are either large parakeets or small parrots, and they resemble Australian parakeets. These birds have light builds, long tails, and strong but small beaks. Conure species have small rostrums on their beaks used for eating, which are typically gray or black. Each conure species varies in color; most have some combination of green and yellow, with black or gray heads. They measure 10 to 20 inches long, weighing 3.5 to 4.5 ounces, with an average 5.5-inch wingspan.

Conures are nicknamed “clowns” due to their constant attention-seeking behavior. They often hang upside down, sway back and forth, and dance. These species are very social, living in flocks of at least 20. They use their large numbers to protect themselves from predators as they forage on the ground. These birds are intelligent and noisy, calling out demands, mimicking sounds, and learning vocabulary and tricks. They are also excellent fliers, reaching up to around 37 mph.

Migration Pattern and Timing

Conures are nonmigratory, meaning they remain in their natural environments year-round.

Diet

Conures are omnivores that feed in the treetops.

What Does the Conure Eat?

The conure eats berries, fruits, nuts, seeds, and vegetation, like leaf buds. They also eat vegetables, which, combined with fruit, make up 25% of their diet. These birds may also consume grit to aid in digestion. Conures exhibit strong foraging behavior and may even steal farmers’ crops.

Predators, Threats, and Conservation Status

The IUCN lists over 45 parakeet species as “near threatened,” “vulnerable,” “critically endangered,” or “extinct.” Species like the golden parakeet are listed as “vulnerable.” This species has a small population and faces continual decline due to habitat loss and trapping. Others, like the sun parakeet (Aratinga solstitialis), are “endangered” due to their small and declining population from habitat loss and trapping. The green-cheeked parakeet’s (Pyrrhura molinae) declining population is listed as “least concern.”

What Eats the Conure?

The conure’s primary predators include hawks, eagles, owls, snakes, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, and bats. Conures forage on the ground, which makes them vulnerable to attacks; they prefer to eat in flocks, reducing their chance of being eaten by predators. These parakeets are constantly alert and quickly fly away at the first sign of trouble. However, they will fight using their beaks as weapons if they can’t get away.

Reproduction, Young, and Molting

Conures do not mate for life but partner with one mate at a time and help raise their young together. These birds are sexually mature at around 2 to 3 years and breed during spring and summer in their natural habitats. Females lay between four and six eggs and incubate them for around 23 days, while the males bring food. Baby conures fledge the nest at around three weeks of age, and conures move as family units for one to two months. These birds undergo their first molt between eight and ten months old and can live up to 15 years.

Population

The total global conure population is unknown, but many have declining numbers. The sun parakeet from Brazil and Guyana has a population of between 1,000 and 2,400 individuals. Their mature population is experiencing a continuous decline, primarily due to illegal trapping. Others, like the more common green-cheeked parakeet, are also declining due to habitat loss.