Animal-World > Pet Birds > Conures > Green-cheeked Conure

Green-cheeked Conure

Pyrrhura molinae Family: Psittacidae

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Pyrrhura molinae Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   "Pooki" is just about four months old and he is so darn playful,... he can't wait to be let out of his cage!

   His new home is with a young girl who is "graduating" from cockatiels to a bit bigger bird. Both she and Pooki are very excited about getting to know each other and getting to play with each other!

For more information about the care of Conures see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Conure

Scientific Name: Pyrrhura molinae

Subspecies:

• Green-cheeked Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae molinae
• Argentina Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae australis
• Santa Cruz Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae restricta
• Yellow-sided Conure
  Pyrrhura molinae hypoxantha
• Pyrrhura molinae sordida
• Pyrrhura molinae phoenicura

Distribution:
   These birds are native to Bolivia.

Description:
   The Green-cheeked has coloring very similar to the Maroon-bellied Conure, but can be distinguished by the reddish upper surface of its' tail feathers. It has a green body with blue primary flight feathers and a maroon tail. The scallop feathers on the chest and upper neck are fringed with white. There is purple on the belly and the beak and the ear covers are brown.

Size - Weight:
   These birds grow to a length of 10 1/2" (26.2 cm).

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. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, 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:
   These birds tame very easily and are very sociable. The Pyrrhuras are a quieter conure than the Aratinga species making them an easier pet to live with. However, they are not known to be great talkers. In the wild they are very sociable with other green-cheeks. Often they forage in groups and spend the night sleeping together.

Activities:  Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   The sex of the Green-cheeked Conure is undeterminable by appearance, though an immature bird will have duller pulmage than the adult, darker irises, and less maroonish coloring on there abdomen. These birds reach sexual maturity around two years of age.    The hen will usually lay between four to six eggs, and the incubation period averages 22 - 25 days.The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. They are not too fussy about their nesting box but can use a box about 7" x 7".

Potential Problems:
   This bird is not nearly as noisy as most Aratinga species.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability:  This bird is generally available.

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Latest Comments
I just added (one day) a new family member, Sweet Pea (Cinnamon GC) to our extended family of two cocaktiels (Sunny (M) & Puffy (F) and a Green Cheek Conure (Coconut - F) and praying that Sweet Pea gets along w/the other family members, especially Coconut. So far they have been very aggressive towards one another during play time which I am montioring closely. They are a great joy. Hopefully, we can all get along? nellie 2008-12-14
My African Grey is 7 years old and to me he is gifted. GR (my African Grey) can be seen on UTube on my channel Amymint5. He is seen in various videos demonstrating things that he can do. He knows each and every member and knows each and everyone's actions. For example he acted as an alarm for the baby, when we did not have a gate on the stairs. Each time the baby tried to climb the stairs GR would shout "No", warning us. Also the baby would stop there and listen to the Parrot and not go any further! Each time the baby comes around, GR has a special whistle, and he normally only use this special whistle to call the baby. Everytime we walk back to the Parrot the baby laughs, then we slowly walk away and GR Whistle again to call us. GR and the baby enjoy this little game. Once GR was seen communicating with the dog. GR was watching Spike our dog, who was barking quite alot. GR sat watching him than calmly said, "Shut up Spike, Be quite"! GR is truely gifted and very special. Amymint5 2008-04-11
I bought my Chucky a week and a half ago now, I was really lucky to get him at a third of the cost! He's 11 weeks old and the biggest sook I have ever met....he is scared of the dark, and just wants to sleep with me all the time. He is always out of the cage when I am home, and when he is in the cage, he continuously rolls around on his back and makes noises like a duck until I let him out! He loves to be touched, and never bites. The only problem that I have is that he is jealous of everything I touch that isn't him. He has already attempted to pull the keys off my computer keyboard! So no more internet when he is out! Best money I have ever spent! Worth every cent, he has already paid his way in smiles! billie 2008-03-17
I visit a nearby pet shop each week to see the new stock of parrots they get and from the moment I saw their little GCC I was attached! Unfortunately we are immigrating soon so I can't buy him, but we will definitely get a conure as soon as possible! Kurt van Wyk 2008-03-17
I love my greencheek conure. So smart, I am very impressed with this bird. My bird dances' she will ask you to dance too. Best of all, I love how my bird tells you to gimme a kiss. You must be very sweet and quiet for this, My bird is romantic. BIRD'S MOM terrry James 2008-03-02
Some of the coolest comments:
I purchased a 6 month old GC Conure four months ago and though he was rather untame when he came home, he quickly settled into a routine with some patience from his companion humans. By "triangulating" with my border collie, Blackie, with whom I carry on many albeit one- sided conversations, Ariel began to pick up speech and though his voice is gravelly, he has an active vocabulary of over 70 words, mostly formed into phrases such as his first one: "Come see Blackie." I tried to turn all "contact calling" when I left the room into intelligible but simple conversation, and now get to answer Ariel's queries about what I am doing: eating, cooking, cleaning, laundry, etc. I'm delighted with Ariel's interest in language, though I read conures are not known for their language ability. Apparently, Ariel had not read such information. If you want to stimulate language, I recommend an involvement of a third party (even a dog)in the process, and teach in context and as if you are teaching a small child. Ariel's favorite word: Beautiful! Margaret Searing 2006-04-04
He might be a she yet, but Bobby, my young Green Cheeked conure, is curious and intelligent. I do not want his curiosity to kill him. I lost my last 2 birds, cockatiels, to escape. Once he gets outside, it will only mean freedom. Watch doors, incoming visitors, open windows. It takes a lot of luck to get one back. To the person with the water-shy bird: your bird is now afraid of the spray. Let him become curious on his own. If the cage is left in a quiet warm place, he will eventually take his own bath. You may have to do this for several days, especially in the case of your bird. That means do not disturb. They are smart enough to know when they need one. These birds learn readily if they are not coerced. The best way is to incorporate their natural behaviors and follow their leads. Listen to your bird! Good luck! Mark B. 2004-07-18
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
Animal-world your site was and still is very helpful, because I am thinking about gettting a Green cheeked conure and the information your site provided was very helpful, especially since I knew absolutely nothing about conures! But now I do! Thank you! Sydney Alfeld 2005-08-10
thank you for the information, because i just bought a green cheeked conure and its the first day.its going on my hand, trusting me, and talking a little bit. thank you for your tips and every thing jeff asiedu 2005-07-18
I think your website is wonderful! I have a Green Cheeked Conure myself and they are the most loving little birds. Its great to have a site with so much information and beautiful pictures too! Hayley 2005-06-26

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS