How to Determine the Age of Red Masked Conures

Red Masked Conjures, or Aratinga erythrogenys, are also known as Cherry-headed Conures. They have green bodies and distinctive red head feathers. According to the International Conure Association, the birds are native to southwestern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Determine the age of a Red Masked Conjure by observing the overall characteristics and breeding capabilities of the bird.

Things You'll Need

  • Ruler
  • Nesting box
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Instructions

    • 1

      Observe the Red Masked Conure with its mother. It is a baby if the bird is still with its mother. Babies fledge, or first fly, at six weeks and stay with their mothers until 11 to 12 weeks.

    • 2

      Examine the coloring of your Red Masked Conure. If it is all green, it is a baby. Babies do not have any red feathers at all.

    • 3

      Look for a few red feathers growing on the mask area of your bird. At four months, babies start to grow red feathers on their faces. As they grow older, the red intensifies each time they molt. It takes a few years for the full red coloration of their head feathers to form.

    • 4

      Measure the size of your Red Masked Conure. A full grown bird is approximately 13 inches long, so a bird that is much smaller would be a junvenile.

    • 5

      Place a nesting box into a cage with a pair of Red Masked Conures. If they do breed and you find eggs, it would age the birds at least three years. These birds cannot breed until they are at least three years old.