MundoAndino Home : Andes Argentina Guide at MundoAndino
Green-cheeked Parakeet
The Green-cheeked Parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae), in aviculture also known as the Green-cheeked Conure, is a small parrot of the genus Pyrrhura. It is primarily green, with a grey breast, dark head, maroon tail and blue flight feathers. Its normal weight is about 70 g; its average length (including tail) is 25 cm (10 inches).
It occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, through northern and eastern Bolivia to northwestern Argentina. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it forms big flocks at treetop level. It eats various seeds and fruits and probably other kinds of vegetable matter.
Green-cheeked Conures are common in captivity. 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 and "kissing." Along with other Pyrrhura conures, they are only moderately loud, therefore making acceptable pets for apartment dwellers. 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 seeds; all things found in their natural environments. Green-cheeked Conures also love table food; they are flock animals and love to eat with their family. They can eat potatoes, carrots, corn, well cooked meat, bread, pasta, plain popcorn, and even eggs. It is advised not to feed them oil seeds such as sunflower seeds because they are addictive and do not contain the proper nutrition. Sunflower seeds and peanuts contain high amounts of fat. While this is helpful for birds in the wild, a clipped and/or caged bird can develop health problems from eating too much fat. A bird-pellet diet with a calcium supplement will give them the proper nutrition, but should not be used exclusively due to the presence of trace chemical additives and bonding agents not found in the conure's natural habitat. A good rule of thumb is 30% pellet diet, 10% seeds, and the rest being fresh foods- fruits, vegetables, or cooked food. Some conures with health problems related to the kidneys should not be fed pellets. Greencheeks are very similar to the Maroon-bellied Conure (P. frontalis), and can live to 1520 years.
The average clutch is 46 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22 to 25 days.
References
Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
External links
FAQ: Introduction to Green Cheeks
Green Cheeked Pyrrhura molinae from the International Conure Association
Pyrrura molinae, videos of wild birds from the Internet Bird Collection
"Green-cheeked Conure" photo gallery VIREO
Need more information for your travel research or homework?
Ask your questions at the forum about Birds of Argentina or help others to find answers.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Green-cheeked Parakeet
