Sun conures are fun loving little clowns that burst with color and charisma. Although their talking ability is limited, suns are highly intelligent and inquisitive. They are also very friendly and make fantastic pets.
Well known for their incredibly beautiful orange-red coloring with some green and dark blue variations, the sun conure is also a very loving and affectionate bird. They love to cuddle up with their owners for a nap; they are very hands-on birds. Suns become fiercely attached to their loved ones and make a great family bird.

The Basics

Size: 12 in. (30 cm.)
Weight Range: 100-130 grams
Life Expectancy: 25 years
Talking Ability: fair
Noise Level: Relatively noisy.
Minimum Cage Size: 18"x18"x18"
Bar Spacing: 5/8" to 3/4"

Natural Diet: Seeds, fruits, berries, and flowers.
Captive Diet: Fresh fruits, veggies, pasta, legumes, pellets, seeds, nuts and grains.
Special Dietary Needs: Conures are very active and have an elevated need for fat. They should be fed a modest amount of seeds or nuts daily as supplementation to a healthy and balanced diet. Give them a water bottle in addition to their water dish, as they will generally like to bathe in the dish, leaving nothing left to drink.

Characteristics: Active, comical, gregarious, affectionate, and very clever.

Housing requirements: Give them a big enough cage to keep plenty of toys in. A variety of perches for climbing around is a must. Ideally the cage should be 18" x 18" x 2' although bigger is always better. Conure and small parrot size toys are essential, make sure there is always at least one 'destructible' toy in there for them to chew up. Conures love loops to climb through and swing on, bells to ring, and bird tents or snugglers to cuddle up with.

Price Range: $250-$400 (I highly recommend purchasing from a breeder, they tend to be cheaper.)

DIET:
Grapes are especially enjoyed by Sun Conures as are peanuts for an occasional treat. Powdered vitamins can be sprinkled lightly on the soft food for vitamin supplement. Cuttlebone should be kept available at all times. Sun Conures need plenty of calcium. No grit is necessary. Green leafy vegetables double as toys for Suns, so keep plenty in the cage. Fresh, clean water needs to be always available. Your bird will enjoy table food with you, but use common sense in choosing what you offer your bird. Foods high in sugar or fat are to be avoided, and remember - NO AVOCADO, CHOCOLATE OR COFFEE ! These items are toxic to birds.

THE FIRST FEW DAYS:
Your bird will be stressed by the change to a new home. Make the first few days quiet ones. Watch your bird carefully in his new cage. Perches may have to be adjusted to allow easy access to food dishes and water, and to prevent tail wear. Sun Conures, especially young ones, prefer to sleep on the bottom of their cages or in a nest box at night. If you use a grill on the bottom of your bird's cage, try to make a small sleeping space available in a corner using paper towels or cardboard.

Watch your bird carefully to be sure his is adjusting to his new diet. Feel the area around the breastbone or "keel" of your bird to be sure it feels well padded. If the breastbone is sticking out in a "knife-like" or "ship" fashion , the bird may be loosing weight and becoming thin. A diet adjustment or trip to the vet may be in order.

Rarely, a baby Sun Conure will regress when moved to a new home and forget how to feed itself. A baby bird who fluffs out his head feathers and slowly bobs his head up and down, sometimes while calling out loudly and pitifully, is a hungry bird. if this happens to your bird, check carefully to see if his is eating, and that he has plenty of food available. If the bird is not eating enough food to prevent this "begging" behavior, he may need to be hand fed until he feels safe enough in his new home to resume eating. DO NOT IGNORE THIS BEHAVIOR!

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Sun Conures can fly very well with clipped wings, so use caution around windows, both open and closed.

A baby Sun Conure will be a mix of dark green, yellow and orange colors. Over a period of about 6-8 months, the darker green feathers will be molted out and replaced by brilliant yellow ones on the chest, head and back.

Sun Conures are capable of learning to talk, although their range is limited and their voices are squeaky and birdlike. They like to imitate amusing sounds (microwave beeps, telephone, etc.). They really enjoy human attention, especially if there is no other bird around for them to groom and play with.

Baby Sun Conures often like to sleep on the bottom of their cage with their feet up in the air. If you find your bird in this position, do not panic-just tickle his tummy.

Sun Conures go through a "teething" stage after they are weaned. They will chew on anything they can during this time. Watch your furniture and your fingers. Be patient with your bird during this time, and teach him what is and what is not OK to chew on. Never strike a bird or "snap" it on the bill with your fingers. By the time he gets his full yellow coloring, the chewing will be over and you will have a bird that will rarely even nip.