Avian Medicine:
Basic Information Sheet for the Conure

• Natural history
• Taxonomy
• Species
• Physical description
• Diet
• Husbandry
• Behavior
• Normal physiologic values
• Anatomy/physiology
• Restraint
• Venipuncture
• Preventive medicine
• Injections
• Important medical conditions
• References

Most conures are found in regions of the Amazon Basin but some species are from the Caribbean islands. Conures are on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) list. These species are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so unless their trade is strictly regulated.

Aratinga acuticaudata – Blue-crowned or Sharp-tailed conure
Aratinga solstitialis – Sun conure
Aratinga jandaya – Jenday conure
Nandayus nenday – Nanday conure
Pyrrhura molinae – Green-cheeked conure
Pyrrhura frontalis –Maroon or Red-bellied conure

Conures include genus Aratinga, which includes 19 species, genus Pyrrhura with 18 species, and genus Enicognathus contains two species. There are also several single-species genera.

• Conures are small to medium-sized birds with strong beaks and long tails.
• Most Aratinga species are green birds with red, brown, or blue markings. The Jenday conure has a yellow head and breast while the Sun conure is mostly yellow with green wings and tail as well as orange markings on its head and abdomen.
• Pyrrhura species are mostly green with red-brown tails and some scalloped design to the feathers on the neck. There are also a variety of species-specific markings. The Maroon-bellied and Green-cheeked are often confused, but the Maroon-bellied has a heart-shaped maroon shading compared to the only slightly reddish belly of the Green-Cheeked.
• Conures are sexually monomorphic.

• Conures are granivores and frugivores. Free-ranging birds eat a variety of seeds, fruits, and nuts. Companion birds should be fed a varied diet with sufficient vitamin K.
• Queen of Bavaria conures (Aratinga guarouba) have higher dietary fat requirements. Since psittacines hull seeds before ingestion, they do not require grit. In fact, some individuals will overeat grit when ill putting them at risk for impaction.
• All-seed diets are deficient in protein, vitamins, and minerals including calcium and vitamin A.

• Provide frequent water baths or showers to maintain normal skin/feather quality.
• These active birds need enough room for flapping, hopping, and climbing. Minimum cage dimensions should be 20 x 20 x 36 in (51 x 51 x 91 cm). Appropriate cage bar spacing of 0.5-0.75 in (1.3-1.9 cm) is recommended for small conures, while 0.75-1.0 in (1.9- 2.5 cm) is recommended for large conures.
• Perch diameter should be between ½ to 5/8 in (1.3-1.6 cm). Sand paper perch covers are very abrasive to the feet, and are not recommended.
• Toys are extremely important, especially for the Blue-Crowned conure, which is an avid chewer.

• Conures are active, playful birds.
• Pyrrhura species are relatively quiet, while some Aratinga species have very loud, harsh voices.
• Foraging is an important part of normal daily parrot activity. Teach and encourage pet birds to play and forage.

• Anatomic traits of Order Psittaciformes include:
• Communication of the right and left nasal sinus
• The only avian tongue with intrinsic muscles
• Simply syrinx
• Craniofacial hinge of beak is a synovial joint
• Ceca absent
• Gall bladder often absent
• Zygodactyl foot: two toes pointed backward and two pointed forward

• Conures may be restrained by holding the head between index and middle fingers and supporting the body with the palm of the hand as well as the thumb and little finger.

Using a 25-gauge needle and a 1 or 3mL syringe, draw blood from the right jugular vein. Up to 1% of body weight is acceptable in healthy patients.

• Obtain a complete history and perform a thorough annual physical examination.
• Establish baseline data with regular clinical testing (complete blood count, protein electrophoresis, and plasma biochemistries.
• Ensure proper nutrition and husbandry.
• Recommend quarantine of newly acquired birds.
• Perform additional testing for select diseases based on history and physical exam findings: avian polyoma virus, psittacosis.
• Determine the origin and history of newly acquired sick birds to contain and prevent further spread of disease.
• Birds housed in large groups or aviaries are at higher risk of Pacheco’s disease virus and use of the vaccine may be indicated.
• The avian polyoma virus vaccine is recommended for breeding populations.

Beynon P (ed). BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds. Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1996. 7-9, 37.

Carpenter J (ed). Exotic Animal Formulary. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MO; Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 278-279.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Appendices I, II, and III. Valid from Apr 27, 2011. Available at: http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php. Accessed June 8, 2011.

Finkelstein A. Normal cloacal temperatures in multiple avian species. Proc Annu Conf Assoc Avian Vet;  2004. P. 383.

Doneley B, Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL. Maximizing information from the physical examination. In: Harrison GJ, Lightfoot TL (eds). Clinical Avian Medicine. Palm Beach, FL: Spix Publishing; 2006.  P. 173.

Harcourt-Brown N, Chitty J (eds).  BSAVA Manual of Psittacine Birds, 2nd ed. Quedgeley, Glouchester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2005. Pp. 4, 28. 

Harrison GJ, Harrison LR. Clinical Avian Medicine and Surgery, Appendix 4, Philadelphia; W.B. Saunders; 1986. P.662.

Koustos EA, Matson KD, Klasing KC. Nutrition of birds in the order Psittaciformes: a review. J Avian Med Surg15(4):257-275, 2001.

Lafeber Company. The Conure Parrot. LafeberCares Web site. Available at: http://www.lafebercares.com/knowledge/birds/conure.html. Accessed May 16, 2011.

Low R. Parrots in aviculture: A photoreference guide. Pickering, Ontario; Silvio Mattachione & Co; 1992. P. 82.

Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 262, 270-271.

O’Malley B. Clinical Anatomy and Physiology of Exotic Species. Edinburgh: Elsevier Saunders; 2005. Pp. 156-157.

Tully TN. Birds. In: Mitchell M, Tully TN (eds). Manual of Exotic Pet Practice. St. Louis, MO: Saunders; 2008. Pp. 270-271, 276.

Tully TN, Lawton MPC, Dorrestein GM. Avian Medicine. Oxford; Butterworth-Heinemann; 2000. Pp. 26-34, 43-51.