Conures are playful, affectionate and full of energy, which makes them wonderful pets for the right owner. They are more demanding than a budgie or cockatiel, so it pays to know what you are taking on.
Housing and diet
Conures are active and need a large cage with plenty of room and a constant supply of toys to chew and destroy. Feed a base of pellets and fresh vegetables, with fruit and seed as smaller parts of the diet. They are clever foragers, so foraging toys keep them busy and happy. Check foods on our bird food checker.
Attention, enrichment and noise
Conures need lots of daily attention, out-of-cage time and mental stimulation — a bored conure becomes loud and can pluck or nip. Be prepared for the noise: conures are naturally loud, with piercing calls, which makes them a poor fit for apartments. This is normal behaviour, not misbehaviour.
Health and lifespan
Conures live 15 to 30 years depending on type, so they are a long, hands-on commitment. Feed well to avoid the fatty-liver problems of an all-seed diet, watch for signs of illness, and find an avian vet. See our conure lifespan guide for more.