The green-cheeked conure or green-cheeked parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae) is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura, which is part of a long-tailed group of the New World parrot subfamily Arinae. This type of parrot is generally called a conure in aviculture. It is native to the forests of South America.
Description
The green-cheeked parakeet is typically 26Â cm (10Â in) long and weighs 60 to 80Â g. It is mainly green, with a brown/black/grey crown, white periophthalmic rings, green cheeks, blue primary wing feathers, a grey beak, and its long pointed tail is mostly maroon. It has short transverse striations on its breast and a red abdominal area. Males and females have an identical external appearance.
Taxonomy
The green-cheeked parakeet has six subspecies:
- Pyrrhura molinae, (Massena & Souance 1854)
- P. m. australis, Todd 1915
- P. m. flavoptera, Maijer, Herzog, Kessler, Friggens & Fjeldsa 1998
- P. m. hypoxantha,(Salvadori 1899)
- P. m. molinae, (Massena & Souance 1854)
- P. m. phoenicura, (Schlegel 1864)
- P. m. restricta, Todd 1947
P. m. sordida naturally occurs as a common green morph or as a rare yellow morph (which however is more frequent in captivity). The yellow morph is also called the yellow-sided conure and was once erroneously considered to be a separate species, P. hypoxantha. As P. hypoxantha was described before P. m. sordida the older name goes first, therefore P. m. sordida is called P. m. hypoxantha these days.
The green-cheeked parakeet is similar to the maroon-bellied parakeet (P. frontalis), and formerly there have been speculations that they were conspecific. It is also similar in appearance to the blaze-winged parakeet and the black-capped parakeet.
Distribution and habitat
The green-cheeked parakeet occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, northern and eastern Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and western Paraguay. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it usually forms flocks of 10 to 20 individuals at treetop level, or larger flocks where there is more food. It is also emerging as a popular pet for families and individuals.
Behavior
The green-cheeked conure eats various seeds, vegetables and fruits. The average clutch is 4â€"6 eggs. Average incubation is 25 days, varying from 22 to 25 days. They are the quietest of the conures and can learn tricks and have a limited vocabulary, with extensive training.
Aviculture
Green-cheeked parrots are common in aviculture and are popular companion parrots. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent, known as having a "big personality in a small body". They can learn to talk, albeit with a limited vocabulary and a gravelly voice. They like to be held (although some like it more than others) and can learn tricks such as lying on their backs, "kissing," shaking, hanging upside down and even can be potty trained. Green-cheeked parrots are quiet, so even an apartment dweller can enjoy their companionship. They can be prone to biting, particularly when young, but an owner can cure this behavior with patience and time.
They love fruits, (especially bananas and raisins), and seeds such as sunflower, safflower, and hemp seedsâ€"all found in their natural environments. Green-cheeked parrots also love table foodâ€"they are flock animals and love to eat with their family. They can eat potatoes, carrots, corn, bread, pasta, and plain popcorn. A clipped and/or caged bird can become obese from eating too many fatty seeds such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. A bird-pellet diet with a calcium supplement provides proper nutrition and should comprise 60-70% of their diet. A good rule of thumb is 70% pellet diet, 20% fruit and vegetables and <10% treat items. Parrots with health problems related to the kidneys should not be fed a high protein diet, as it may lead to gout; veterinarian prescribed low-protein diets are available for birds with such conditions. Green-cheeked parrots can live to 30 years with proper care, though the average lifespan is typically 10 years due to owner neglect.
Colour mutations
In addition to the natural color forms, color mutants have been selectively bred in aviculture:
- Cinnamon are lime green and have a lighter, almost pale color to the feathers. The head is tan and the tail feathers are a lighter maroon than in normal green-cheeked parrots.
- Yellow-sided have a breast of bright colors and, rarely, have a bright yellow feather on each side of the upper wing. This is a rare genetic occurrence of which only one hatchling in approximately 10 clutches can be found to have. This appearance can increase their value.
- Pineapple is cinnamon and yellow-sided combination. They have a breast of bright colors, a tan head and lime green feathers on the back like a cinnamon green-cheeked parrot. The tail feathers are the same as a yellow-sided, showing a halo effect.
- Turquoise have a body with some blue-green and green feathers. The breast feathers are grayish and the tail feathers are gray.
A green/red/blue apple mutation is not very common but has been seen.
References
Works cited
- Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World; an Identification Guide. Illustrated by Frank Knight. Princeton University Press. ISBNÂ 0-691-09251-6.Â
- Per CITES Reference and IATA LAR 43rd Edition, these birds are classified to fall under CITES Protected species under categories I and II in the CITES index
External links
- Green-Cheeked Conures Lucky Feathers Aviary â€" Species Profile, Green-Cheeked Conure Care, breeding and Diet Information
- "Green Cheeked Conure". Parrot Encyclopedia. World Parrot Trust.Â
- "Internet Bird Collection".Â