Things to Know About Sun Conures

Appearance

• Sun conures are said to be one of the most beautiful varieties of conures. This is largely due to their feathers' bright gradient of colors, which include shades of yellow, red and orange along their heads, backs and breasts, as well as blue and green at the edges of their wings. Their eyes and beaks are most commonly black, and the birds stand, on average, about 12 inches long.

Personality

• As pets, sun conures are affectionate, energetic, intelligent birds that love to entertain and be entertained. They will play on almost any surface, including the floor and inside their own water bowls, and can learn to mimic their owners' favorite phrases. However, these birds can be moderately loud when it comes to vocalizing their wants, needs and feelings. What's more, they are prodigious chewers, and so require tough toys and plenty of enrichment.

Bonding

• Sun conures that live on their own in family settings tend to be quieter than those who have mates with which to communicate and play. However, single birds, while far more ready to bond with human owners, can become destructive or even ill if left alone for long stretches of time. Regardless, sun conures should never be housed with other species of birds.

Habitat

• Giving a pet sun conure as much of its own space as possible is always preferable. However, sun conure cages that house a single bird should be no smaller than 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 30 inches high. No matter the size of the cage, bars should be spaced no more than a half-inch apart, with perches at least a half-inch in diameter and 9 inches in length. Offering sun conures several perches of different diameters will help to exercise their feet and prevent problems like arthritis.

Diet

• In the wild, sun conures dine on a number of flowers, nuts and fruits. When kept as companion animals, specialty pellets sold at pets stores should make up the majority of their diet. A variety of fresh produce and fortified seeds are recommended as supplements to pelleted meals -- but avoid avocado, chocolate and fruit seeds, along with anything high in processed sugar or fat.

Toys

• As active birds, sun conures require toys for the physical and mental enrichment. Pet owners should look for toys made specifically for this kind of bird; sun conures require items made from strong materials that will stand up to the crushing force of their beaks. Affix such fixtures to the bird's cage as thoroughly as possible, but avoid using C-clamps -- a sun conure's smart enough to learn to unscrew such hardware, causing potential harm to the animal.

Health Concerns

• Sun conures that are not given adequate attention and playtime sometimes pluck their feathers and refuse food. Other health issues common to sun conures are diarrhea, which can be caused by anything from parasites to stress to a change in diet; the polyoma virus, which can be fatal, with symptoms including loss of weight and energy; and chlamydiosis, which can be marked by messy or fluffed feathers, nasal discharge and/or loss of appetite.