Conure Bird
Learn to Care for a Conure Bird
The responsibilities involved in caring for a conure bird can be quite overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. Even if you have cared for another breed of bird before, it is important that you educate yourself in the aspects of care for this specific type of bird. In this article, we are going to discuss the most important responsibilities involved in caring for a conure bird.
Conures are very intelligent little birds and their colorful feathers are likely to remind you of a rainbow every time they come out to play. They are playful by nature and love having a human companion to entertain. Don’t worry, you won’t have a wily and untamable beast on your hands! Conures are quire easy and willing to be tamed, but are happy to have a little fun if you initiate it. The conure bird can be a great companion for several years, but to ensure this you must exhibit good care.
You will need a cage large enough to house your conure comfortably. The best way to tell whether a cage is big enough for your conure is by asking yourself whether or not he can fully spread his wings in the cage with room to spare. It’s important that any breed of bird is able to spread its wings whether for a cleaning or simply a good old fashioned stretch. You will also need a food and watering bowl or dispenser for your conure. Many cages now come with these items, but not all of them do. You must make sure that you have both a cage and the means to feed and water your conure before you even bring him home.
A conure bird must be able to keep his hygiene in good shape, but he needs your help for this! Allowing your conure to bathe in a shallow bowl of lukewarm water will help to keep his feathers clean and glossy. Simply place the bowl near him and when he is ready he will step right in and begin cleaning. It isn’t necessary for you to pour water over him or scrub his feathers—he can do all of that by himself!
You must also learn to maintain his wings, beak, and nails. Trimming his wings will prevent him from flying away, but the trimming must be done properly as some feathers will bleed if they are cut. “Blood feathers” have a waxy appearance and are often pink in color. If there are a great deal of blood feathers present, go ahead and put off the trimming for a while. The primary flight feathers are the ones that need to be trimmed. You will notice them as the longest feathers on the underside of your bird’s splayed wings. The first two feathers on the outer tips can be left for aesthetics; however the next five or six should be trimmed about half an inch away from the overlapping feathers. The nails and beak must also be trimmed should they become overgrown, as they can hinder the bird’s health and daily activity. This is probably best left to a veterinarian or bird specialist, as they can be quite tricky tasks!
A conure bird kept as a pet will need quite a lot of exercise to make up for what he would normally get in the wild. Allow him a few hours each day outside of his cage where here can hop around and explore. You may also find that your conure is much happier when he is entertained, which makes it worthwhile to consider getting some bird-friendly toys for him. They love mirrors as well, so that might be another option for “play time” which will give him a bit of exercise and save him from boredom!
Last, but not least, is the importance of a healthy diet. The diet of a wild conure is much different from a tame one, as their activity levels are so drastically different. A pet conure must be fed a good seed mixture, as well as the occasional fruit and greens that you may choose to hand-feed him. You may also want to feed him a mealworm and some millet spray once in a while.
Hopefully you have learned enough to care for your conure well. With the proper care, you can look forward to many fun filled years with your pet bird, which certainly makes up for the extra maintenance and care!