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Patagonian Conures are medium-sized parrots native to Chile. They’re often called “little clowns” because of their outgoing personalities and strange behavior. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, vegetables, and seeds, with occasional treats like nuts or popcorn. They live in flocks, so getting one at least eight months old is essential since they won’t bond well with an owner if they are younger.
The Patagonian Conure is one of the world’s most common pet birds due to its popularity in Europe, America, and Australia. Whether you’re a current owner or considering adopting one, read on! This post will discuss the care needs of this species and what makes them such great pets!
Species Overview
| Common Name: | Burrowing parrot |
| Scientific Name: | Cyanoliseus patagonus |
| Adult Size: | 15–18 inches |
| Life Expectancy: | 20–30+ years |
Origin and History
The origins of this beautiful bird can be traced back to South America, specifically the temperate rainforests of Chile. They live in flocks of 12–30 and usually mate for life. The Patagonian Conure is admired for its friendly demeanor, small size, cute face, and bright colors. Locals call the birds “little clowns” because of their small stature and funny personalities.
They can live up to 20 years, mainly because they’re not kept in cages but allowed to fly freely around the home and roam indoors as nature intended. In true captivity, they could live up to 30 years!
Their population has been declining recently, and measures might need to be taken to prevent further dwindling of the wild population.
Temperament
The Patagonian Conure is known for being a very active and playful bird. It will interact with people to the point of mimicking human speech! They also enjoy dancing, tumbling, jumping, and playing tricks on each other. They are loving birds that have been observed kissing their owners on the lips.
In captivity, they are more mellow than in the wild. A bored Patagonian Conure will often start screaming, playing with its toys, or swinging from side to side. Owners need to play active games and interact with their birds every day.
Patagonian Conures will keep you laughing with their comical behaviors and entertain you every day of the week! If you don’t pay enough attention to them, they’ll screech loudly or tear up the toys in their cage.
You should also know that Patagonian Conures are not very shy around strangers. They’re very easygoing and will be fine around anyone who’s part of their family, even if they don’t know them personally. Since they are so outgoing, new owners should start interacting with them daily!
- Very Intelligent
- Loving
- Unique and recognizable plumage
- Large for a conure
- A bit needy
Speech & Vocalizations
The Patagonian Conure is a rather talkative bird. Unlike other members of its family, such as the blue-crowned conure (Aratinga acuticaudata), it can learn up to 300 words and phrases.
It mimics human speech but not with the same accuracy as larger parrots, such as the umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba). Owners can teach them phrases such as “How are you?” Some owners have described their Patagonian Conures as great listeners, and they can make excellent therapy pets! They also love to talk to other parrots and act as mediators when other birds fight.
The biggest misconception about these birds is that they’re quiet. Many owners come home to find out their birds have been keeping the neighbors up all night with their shrill screams. If you don’t want this behavior, you must begin hand-taming your parrot or keeping it in a cage for part of the day.
Patagonian Conure Colors and Markings
Patagonian conures are recognizable by their olive-green plumage, darker green wings, and black beaks. They also have red patches on their bodies that are accentuated by yellow and white stripes. They can show white highlights in their feathers due to genetic factors, irregular pigmentation, or stress.
Males have bolder colors and brighter red markings than females. Their underbelly is yellow and red, and their eyes are dark brown. They also have a black forehead with a red hue that extends to the back of their head.
The legs and feet of the Patagonian Conure are gray, like some feathers on its chest and neck. The tips of their tails are black, while other parts of them are bright blue. Some birds have crests and pointed or curved beaks, unlike other conures that have slightly rounded tips on their beaks. Many of them also have an unusual toe shape, with the middle toe being longer than its neighboring ones.
Caring for the Patagonian Conure
The Patagonian Conure is a small, long-tailed parrot that can reach up to 12 inches long. They can live for anywhere from 20 to 30 years and are more docile than other members of their species. They aren’t recommended for first-time bird owners since they’re known to be noisy. However, their amusing personality and intelligence are worth the trouble.
Patagonian Conures are tolerant of humans and especially love interacting with them! They can tolerate being alone for a few hours if you have to leave the house, but anything longer than that may cause them stress or loneliness.
Common Health Problems
Unfortunately, the Patagonian Conure can suffer from a few health issues. Some of them include psittacosis, fatty liver syndrome, and feather picking. They may also be more susceptible to bacterial infections since they’re so friendly to humans and other birds.
They can also become obese if their diet isn’t balanced and supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. Giving them high-quality bird food can help prevent that, but it’s important to remember that they will eat anything in sight!
Finally, there’s also the possibility of your bird getting mites or lice. The parasites live on your bird’s skin as well as their feathers, so it’s important to check for them regularly.
Diet and Nutrition
Feeding your burrowing parrot a healthy, balanced diet is key to keeping it in optimal physical shape. The Patagonian Conure needs a high-quality seed mix, fresh fruits, vegetables, and animal protein.
We recommend feeding your Patagonian Conure as often as they want, but at least once a day. However, watch out for signs of obesity and spoilage. Likewise, if your bird refuses food for longer than a day, see a vet as soon as possible.
Vegetables and fruits can be fed raw or cooked, but ensure they’re high-quality before giving them to your bird. Birds love to snack on pine and cedar cones, so always keep them within reach of your bird’s cage or aviary. Be sure to remove any jagged pieces of wood so you don’t risk your pet accidentally ingesting a harmful object.
Exercise
Exercise is vital for your Patagonian Conure so they can stay in shape and have fun! They love to perch on their owners’ shoulders or sit on their hands, making them great pets for people with limited mobility.
A bird with enough exercise will be an active member of the family rather than lazy and overweight. Make a fun game of taking your bird outside for quality time, and remember to provide a bowl of lukewarm water for weekly baths.
You can also play fetch with an older or more domesticated Patagonian Conure. Just ensure they only throw soft objects like yarn balls or ping-pong balls since rocks or metal balls are dangerous for their tiny beaks.
Mental stimulation is also essential for Patagonian Conures. They are brilliant and can learn up to 300 words, so teaching your bird tricks or training them to recognize colors and shapes is a great way to stimulate their minds.
The Patagonian Conure can be taught many things, including handling objects and even playing “peek-a-boo” with you! They also enjoy playing games where they must figure out how to get their favorite toys or food out of the cage.
Socialization is also a great source of mental stimulation! Their natural curiosity and peaceful nature mean that they love meeting new people and playing with other pets. Your bird will grow faster, be happier, and become less aggressive if you spend time socializing them when they’re young.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Patagonian Conure
There are several places to adopt or buy a Patagonian Conure from. You can find them at local animal shelters, pet stores, or online.
You should thoroughly research the adoption centers before buying or adopting from them. Ensure they’re knowledgeable about the species you want and provide plenty of good quality food and veterinary care.
The best places to get a Patagonian Conure are stores specializing in selling birds or breeders. This will ensure good health and socialization for your new pet!
How Much Do Patagonian Conures Cost?
The Patagonian Conure is quite common, and you can find them at most local pet stores or online. The price depends on where you buy them and how old they are but usually varies between $100 and $300.
Final Thoughts
The Patagonian Conure is an excellent pet for people who want a bird that’s easy to find and relatively low-maintenance. They are also intelligent, so they’re perfect for owners looking to teach them new tricks or train their minds with mental stimulation games.
The Patagonian Conure has been popular recently because of its rich coat of feathers and playful demeanor. They can adopted or purchased, but the best option is always going local!
If that sounds up your alley, don’t hesitate—you’ll make a new best friend! For more information about exotic birds like the burrowing parrot, check out our other posts.
Featured Image Credit: Danny Ye, Shutterstock
