We are often asked what sort of bird someone should purchase if they have no prior experience with birds. They don’t want a finch or a parakeet (both of which are dull!) but they also don’t want a giant parrot (expensive, large, and destructive). They want something manageable and simple to train.
There are several birds that meet this description, and I’ve talked about them in previous posts. They include Quakers as well as members of the conure family such as the Sun and Jenday.
The Green Cheeked Conure is another wonderful option. This is one of the tiniest conures, at around 10 inches in length, or about the size of a cockatiel. Their prices are modest, ranging between $150 and $200.
They are very fun and simple to teach. They can communicate but are not recognised to be excellent communicators. They mostly imitate whistles like cockatiels, but will catch up on a phrase or two.
The only negative to Green Cheeks is that they are a little nippy. It will only take a little training to get them to quit biting. They are also rather demanding, and unless you make time to play with them, they will soon get bored.
BACKGROUND
Green Cheeks are quite little and mostly green. They have a maroon tail and a grey breast. They are South American natives that may be found in the woods of Brazil, Bolivia, and southern Argentina. They congregate in big groups and nest in the trees.
Green Cheeks are related to Maroon Bellied Conures. Look at the top of their heads to identify them. Green Checks will have a dark grey or blackish appearance, while Maroon Bellies will be entirely green. Also, the green cheeks’ tails are completely maroon, but the Maroon Bellies have green tops and maroon bottoms.
Unless you’re a breeder attempting to mate these breeds, this isn’t that relevant. Both are extremely sociable and make excellent pets.
It is difficult to determine the sex of these birds. There is no clear method to identify them visually, and a DNA test is typically required. Some breeders use pelvic bone shape or head size to make “informed predictions,” but this does not seem to be accurate. Males also seem to have a rounder, chunkier physique.
TRAITS
Green Cheeks may be rather loud. This makes them a popular pet for those who live in flats, where other conure breeds are not permitted. They are not excellent talkers, as previously said, but they can speak a few words. They are much better at imitating whistles and noises.
They have a lot of character. They are very energetic, intelligent, and curious. It is here that they get into trouble. They like exploring when they are not in their case. They must be monitored while they are not in their cage.
Provide plenty of toys, particularly puzzle toys, in their cage. You can keep them entertained for hours by hiding food treats inside toys and forcing them to find out how to get to them.
They adore cuddling! Cockatoos are more likely to exhibit this behaviour, although Green Cheeks like to be handled. They are more sociable with more than one person than Quakers. They like having their necks and heads stroked and preened.
They like playing, but they are also known to gnaw. Get them some soft wood blocks to play with. We recommend keeping a supply of wooden popsicle sticks on hand for this sort of bird. These sticks may also be used as skewers for their favourite delicacies. Make a “honey-stick” out of honey seeds, and once they complete this treat, they may play with the stick! You may spear their preferred foods, such as bananas or apples.
Green Checks are clever and can be trained to do tricks. You should have minimal trouble persuading them to lie on their backs or finger train them.
These birds have a tendency to bite, particularly if they have not been hand fed or handled since they were young. Fortunately, this issue is readily remedied with training and perseverance.
Green Cheeks have a “skittish” personality. This is also a regular issue with Cockatiels and other little birds, since any disturbance may lead them to panic and fly about their cage. In extreme circumstances, people may attempt to insure themselves in order to escape this supposed threat. Pets in the house (dogs or cats) approaching their cage, unexpected loud noises, or huge items moving swiftly past their cage can frighten them. This may be avoided with common sense and precaution.
CAGES AND DIET
Green Cheeks will fit well in a cockatiel cage. However, like with any bird, the bigger the cage, the better. Expect to get at least an 1824 cage. This will provide plenty of space for it to exercise and hang some toys for it to play with.
Green Cheeks have no special dietary requirements. Any decent diet will suffice, as long as it is low in seeds. I suggest a pellet diet for this sort of bird, but try to push more food. Try to eat a lot of green and orange veggies, with the odd spaghetti and cheese indulgence. Green Cheeks are an energetic bird that requires a little amount of fat in its diet. This is also required to sustain their oil-producing glands, thus a few “fatty” seeds, such as sunflower seeds, might be beneficial. In such instances, we prefer to spread peanut butter on their meal or provide them toast.
Here’s an excellent suggestion. Purchase a package of frozen diced mixed veggies. Put a tiny quantity in a small hand strainer and hold it under hot water for a few seconds. This will warm up the vegetables while also providing a nutritional treat for your conure.
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