Sun Conure is not for everyone

We got a Sun Conure a few years ago. We quickly found out that a Sun Conure is not for everyone. The article that follows will explain better than I can.

Don’t misunderstand, Sammy is such a dear. We know he loves us. We are his family, the only family he has ever known. We certainly do love him too. Problem:  how many years of a bird screaming can one endure?

We had a Cockatiel that flew away. We went locally to a lady that had all sorts of birds. She had a large cage with about 30 Sun Conures in it. They were just the cutest birds you can imagine. Unfortunately, she forgot to mention the screaming, for 30 years. Sammy is a beautiful bird. He has never been sick. Loves to shower with either of us in the morning. He is such a delight when he isn’t screaming.

He is a fantastic watch bird. If there is a cat moving anywhere he sounds the alarm. My dogs hit the back door and the chase is on.

Here is an article I felt pretty well sums up the Sun Conure fairly and accurately since it aligns with my personal experience. Enjoy.

The Sun Conure Parrot – 5 Things to Know About Conures As Pets

If you are considering a Sun Conure Parrot as a pet you need to really understand the bird and its needs so that once you commit, it can be for a lifetime. Here are 5 things to know about this wonderful bird before you bring it home. And hopefully, knowing all about the bird before you bring it home will lead to a permanent match for you both.

Physical Traits-It’s considered a little bird in the Parrot species-only about 12 inches and weighing in between 4 and 5 ounces, and they have life spans up to 30 years. The muted green color that they are born with serves them well in the wild as camouflage until about age 1. Upon maturity, the feathers turn brilliant with vivid oranges, reds, blues, greens, and yellows. Their beaks are black and their feet are grey. They have a white ring around their beautiful dark brown eyes.  If you are looking for a bird that is visually striking, this bird is for you.

Sounds-The Conure is a screamer. Screaming can indicate that it is not receiving enough human attention, or that it is in some way unhappy. The Conure is not a good choice if you live in an apartment or house that is connected to another where these screams can become an issue for your neighbors. On the positive side, proper and consistent training can eliminate a lot of the screaming. And if not, they make wonderful burglar alarms when strangers approach. Before you commit, try being around one for a while to get an idea of how loud they really are, and decide whether the noise will be tolerable for you and your family. Better to decide before rather than after you’ve brought it home.

Personality-Inquisitive, and intelligent, it is definitely a very outgoing bird. It loves to clown and can be taught to speak a few words and do a variety of tricks. It can also imitate household sounds such as microwave buzzers, ringing phones, and alarms of every kind. Loves human contact, both physical and emotional, and needs a home where it can interact constantly by being housed in an area where there is lots of activity. If you and your family are away from home a lot, this is not a good choice for you or the bird. It can be nippy, but regular socialization and training can nip this in the bud and make it safe for you and the children in the family.

Nutritional Needs-A diet of sprouted seeds and pellets, leafy green vegetables, fruits, and nuts augmented with a mineral block will go far towards keeping your bird healthy. Remember to use a variety of foods, and rotate them to stimulate interest. An unlimited supply of freshwater is a must.

Maintenance-These are pretty easy birds to keep. They appreciate a spray of warm water or placing a shallow bowl of water in their cage for a bath once a week. They will also benefit from having their air filtered of dust, dander, and feathers that will collect in much greater density in your home than they ever would in the wild. Using a high-efficiency particle (HEPA) air purifier will ensure that its air passages remain clear, and cut down on the risk of infection and disease.

If you need a birdcage, a really cute birdcage, give us a visit at CarryMyDog.com cause we have bird cages there too. Check out the Featherstone Heights style and I think you will agree that these cages are winners in the design department.

If there is a new bird in your future I remind you that a Sun Conure is not for everyone. Read more about them. Try to find someone that has one and pay them a visit. The Sun Conure screams very little as long as he is riding on your shoulder. If you spend most of your time at home and don’t mind a bird on your shoulder most of the day then maybe the Sun Conure is just the bird for you. They are beautiful, loyal, spunky and a real pleasure to have around when they aren’t screaming. Good Luck with your decision.