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Blue-crowned ConureSharp-tailed Conure Family: Psittacidae
Latest Reader Comment - See More I LOVE birds, and I always wanted a cockatoo, but after much research and constantly visiting a pet store, I quickly realized this was not the species for me. I spen... (more) Jaclyn 2008-08-31
The Blue-crowned Conure, also referred to as the Sharp-tailed Conure is quite a character, as was demonstrated when this little bird became popularized by the movie "Pauli"!The Blue-crowned Conure is one of the most magnificent of the Aratinga conures. Not only is it beautiful, but is easily identified with it's attractive blue "crown".
Though initially somewhat shy, the Blue-crowned conure is very intelligent and will become a very tame, loveable companion. They enjoy playing and can become very lively and active. Though they are generally a quieter bird than most of their Aratinga cousins, they can become rather loud and this should be taken into consideration when obtaining one as pet. For more information about the care of Conures see:
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Scientific Name: Aratinga acuticaudata
Subspecies:
- Sharp-tailed
Conure
Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata - Blue-crowned Conure
Aratinga acuticaudata haemorrhous - Aratinga acuticaudata neumanni
Generally all three subspecies are referred to as the Blue-crowned Conure, though sometimes the name Sharp-tail Conure is applied specifically to the nominate species Aratinga acuticaudata acuticaudata which displays the most blue; while the name Blue-crowned Conure is used to describe the subspecies Aratinga acuticaudata haemorrhous that has less blue, restricted more to the forehead and the front part of the crown.
Distribution:
They are native to the central areas of South America from
eastern Colombia and northern Venezuela south to Paraguay, Uruguay, and
northern Argentina. They inhabit the more arid regions of tropical zones
living in thickets, grasslands, savannahs, and along the edge of forests.
Description:
The Blue-crowned Conure is a small member of the parrot family.
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The whole head as well as the cheeks and ear coverts are blue,
and sometimes there is a tinge of blue on the breast. They have
a generally green plumage that is more yellowish underneath. The
outer wings are a blue-brown going to a chestnut brown on the secondary
outer feathers. |
Size - Weight:
The Blue-crowned Conure or Sharp-tailed Conure will get up
to 11 3/4" (37 cm), and weigh about 6.7 ozs (190g).
Care and feeding:
A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out
for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play
pen or parrot perch.
In the wild the Blue-crowned Conure eats berries, fruits,
seeds, and nuts. As a pet they will enjoy a variety of sprouts, seeds,
nuts, fruits, vegetables, and commercial pellets, as well as the same
nutritional foods humans eat.
See About Conures: Housing and About Conures: Care and
Feeding for more information.
Social Behaviors:
They are sociable and live in small groups or sometimes in
flocks up to about 100 birds. They love to play, and can be fairly destructive
if not watched. They can also be rather loud though not nearly as noisy
as some of their Aratinga cousins such as the Nanday, Sun, and Jenday
Conures. They make a real fun, playful pet and are very popular.
Breeding/Reproduction:
In the wild these birds nest in tree hollows. They have been
found easy to breed in captivity and so are commonly bred. They are not
dimorphic so will need to be sexed either through a DNA sampling, surgically,
or through a chromosomal analysis.
The hen will lay three eggs which are incubated for about
24 days. The young fledge (leave the nest) in about 58 days.
See About Conures:
Breeding/Reproduction for more information on breeding.
Potential Problems:
As with most Aratinga species this bird can be noisy, though
it is quieter than some of the other poplar birds in this genus such as
the Sun Conure, Jenday Conure, and Nanday Conure.
See About Conures:
Potential Problems for information on illnesses.
Availability:
This bird is generally available. They can usually be found at
pet stores and reputable breeders.
Activities: Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys.
Click to see All the comments!
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| Latest Comments |
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| I LOVE birds, and I always wanted a cockatoo, but after much research and constantly visiting a pet store, I quickly realized this was not the species for me. I spent months researching the "perfect" bird. I was looking for affection, strong bonding, funny factor, size, and least on the list was talking ability but a plus. It wasn't until I saw the true documentry, "The parrots of Telegraph Hill"--a real tear jerker, but it was there I became enamored with Conures, and especially the Blue Crown, because of the main star named Conner. After visting a local pet store, I was thrilled they were weaning a 7 week old baby Blue Crown. I visited her every day for a 7 weeks, waiting for her to finish weaning. We bonded, so strongly. It was hard to leave her daily and I couldn't wait to see her. She would be waiting for me everyday and soon as she spotted me she would make this cute crying noise until I would hold her. As soon as I would put her back, she would watch me leave and start her crying. She is the love of my life. Her vocabulary is unbelievable at 14 weeks she knows so much. She is glued to me, follows me everywhere. She loves to shower and must of all she loves to take naps with me, right under my neck. My little Nina (pronounced Neenya, Spanish for little girl) is my Cockatoo. She is everything I could have asked for, and she surpassed all my expectations. This is by far my FAVORITE species.
2008-08-31 |
| My little Tiki has taken my heart for his own. He follows me around the house like a puppy and is so comical, never a dull moment. He loves to imitate my husbands arm movements, doing the same with his wings and yells, "MOMMA! MOMMA!" when he wants attention or is ready to come out of his cage early in the morning. (If too lazy to get the door open himself that is.) I couldn't imagine our life with out him. He's 5 months old, learns so quickly and his vocabulary consist of Step up, Daddy, Momma, Hello, Tiki Tired, Gimme Kiss, No, and making the kissing sound after saying gimme kiss or getting on your shoulder and leaning to your cheek. I love his bath time, the sounds he makes are hilarious. He doesn't know a stranger as my African Grey and Moluccan Cockatoo definitely do! He is also awesome with our 3 children!
2008-02-29 |
| I just recently got a bird named Pokey. He is 13 yrs old, well I assume he is he! "Blue Crown Conure mixed Red shouldered Mini Macaw". He is the most loveable little thing. He took to me right from the start, the previous owners really didn't think he would. He calls me mama and I call him baby. he likes the name baby, he never really responds to Pokey unless he is in trouble! He also likes to say NO! His new Words are "Wesley (my son's name), come here, sit, Taz (my little dogs name), love you, good bye, roll over". He is quit the character. Pokey has been a blessing to our family. Can't imagine life without our little bird, for me when my days are stressed Pokey makes me laugh! That is the best thing ever. Thank god for little birds like Pokey and the many other birds out there!
2007-09-14 |
| My blue crowned conure, Okka, is the best talker of all my parrots! He says over a dozen phrases and many more words that he seems to use often in appropriate moments like he understands. If I call "Okka!" he'll respond usually with a "What? Okka Out?!" And When I let him out of his cage I get an "Awwwwww. Okka Looooove You." He sings and dances and loves cuddling. I was always hooked on african grays for intelligence but these birds are just as clever and much cheaper. I strongly suggest researching them if you are looking for a smart bird.
2007-08-14 |
| We've had our blue crown, "Giggles" for over 4 years; we call him "baby bird" and just love him to death! He's bonded to my wife and gets very jealous of her and nips her if she does not spend enough time with her. Also Giggles laughs EXACTLY like my wife, which is a riot. Giggles likes to scream alot in the late afternoon which drives us nuts sometimes but we cannot imagine not having Giggles around. We recently added a second parrot to our "family", a Senegal about the same size as Giggles. We thought they would be buddies but they are more like rivals, sometimes Coco, our Senegal, chases Giggles around the cage or away from the food dishes. Giggles loves to eat macaroni, chicken wings, mashed potatoes, and God forbid he gets a hold of your chocolate chip cookie! We have a real time wrestling the chip out of his mouth!
2007-04-04 |
| Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear! |
| I would like to introduce our 15yr old Harold, who loves caravan holidays, and sitting outside with us just chillin. He is definately Mummy's boy, and gets a little jealous when dad wants a cuddle, but is usually won over with a treat. He likes to chase the cat, and joins us at barbeques, loves socialising at parties - guests not so keen to have him on their knee for some reason! (That's where he likes to sit, or on your chest with his head against your chin). Is happy to sit on your shoulder outside, and joins in when I play the guitar (not quite in tune with it though). He likes playing cards, but he cheats by marking them. He doesn't talk, but slurps his drinks (not taught by mum!), laughs, and clucks like a hen. He also does a fanfare and goes oh-oh. He likes a piece of the action - literally, and will sample anything you are trying to read, sew, fix. His favourite trick? Watch dad hoover the carpet, then throw his food around and look around with a satisfied expression. Is loved loads. Love the website, very informative, nice to hear of other conures and their owners! 2006-04-16 |
| Thank you for your website. It helped me decide to get my loving BCC named simone. He says hello, makes kissing noises, and mocks a couple of little noises when he hears someone else make them first because hes shy. He is a big part of my life and I dont know what I would do without him. 2006-02-11 |
| I don't have a conure yet, but I plan to get one. thank you sooo much for this site! it's really helped me in preparing myself for this bird type. I've learned a lot about them. I've wanted a blue-crowned conure since I was very little, and after seeing the movie "Paulie" I wanted one even more! Everyone I've talked to says they are very loving and lovely extrodinary birds. So thank you for all the info about these beautiful birds. 2005-10-18 |
Author: Clarice Brough, CAS
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