MITRED CONURES

[imported_David]

Mitred Conures

Description


There are many different species of conures. All mitred conures have long tails and originate from South and Central America; also Mexico. There was one Conure, the Carolina Parakeet, that actually lived in North American as far north as New York and Chicago; however this bird went extinct due to hunting and habitat destruction in the early 1900's. Conures range in size from as tiny as 8 1/2" to up to 21"!

Life span

Mitred conures live approx 20 to 35 years


Diet:


Mitred Conures aren't picky about their foods. Being enormously curious and playful, they like a very varied diet and should be provided with foods that offer a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Pellets that come in different shapes and colors are often preffered over "plain" pellets. Conures are prone to "Conure Bleeding Sydrone", which is thought to be caused by a lack of Vitamin K, which is found in foods like broccoli.

Cages


Mitred Conures are active and playful birds, who need a large cage to clamber around in. A large cockatiel cage will do for the conures, The cage should be approx 22 inches square and rectangular. Round topped cages can also be used. Be careful where you place those perches; if those long conure tails rub against the bars the tail feathers will become very ragged. Give your conure lots of toys, it will use them with gusto. They like toys they can destoy, but make sure there's no small parts they can swallow or openings where they could catch a claw or beak. Your conure will also appreciate a large playstand, again, equipped with lots of toys.

Talking


Mitred Conures aren't notable talkers, but almost all will speak a word or two. Some species are better than others, but it mostly depends on the indivdual.

Personality


Mitred Conures are active, playful, bold, and affectionate. One minute they'll be acting the clown, climbing on their toys and screeching in mock anger, the next minute they'll be curled next to you, begging for a scratch. Hand-fed conures are real sweethearts, always begging for attention. They're great at learning tricks; many will lie on their back and "play dead", and hanging upside-down from a finger is an easy one. Some conures are are one-person birds, others more out-going. Regardless, he'll probably pick a favorite person, and they'll be some liberties he'll allow only that person. They can be moody, but in a good way. Some conures can be nippy, especially with people they don't know, but a little careful training can rid most of the problem. Overall, conures are affectionate clowns who are a whole lot of fun to own.
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