Conures are a variety of parrot that come in all sizes and colors. These curious birds are native to South America and are known to be inquisitive and quite bold compared to some other birds. Conures are sometimes referred to as "clowns of the bird world" due to their playful personalities! They generally love to be around people, often even climbing into their owner's shirt for a cuddle, and they're so smart that some individuals can even be taught tricks! With proper care, conures can live as long as 20 years.
In this comprehensive care guide, we've compiled everything you need to know about caring for a Conure, including cage setup, habitat requirements, diet, grooming, enrichment, and all essential supplies. We've evaluated each product based on quality, safety, appropriateness for conures, ease of use, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Essential Conure Supplies
If you're in a hurry, here are the must-have items for a Conure:
- Habitat: 32" x 23" x 36" Cage - Minimum 20" x 20" x 30", recommended larger
- Food: Fortified Conure Pellet Diet - Primary food source, remove old food daily
- Perches: Multiple Perches - Varying thickness and height, ladder perch
- Toys: Puzzles, Chewables & Foraging Toys - At least three toys, rotate regularly
- Cuttlebone: Cuttlebone - Support beak and bone health
- Play Stand: T-Stand or Playpen - Safe play outside the cage
About Conures
Conures are a variety of parrot that come in all sizes and colors. These curious birds are native to South America and are known to be inquisitive and quite bold compared to some other birds. Conures are sometimes referred to as "clowns of the bird world" due to their playful personalities!
Conure Characteristics
Conures can range in size depending on the variety. Green-cheek conures average around 10", whereas Sun conures average around 15" (38 cm) from head to end of tail. With proper care, conures can live as long as 20 years.
Conures have playful personalities and can be "chatty". They're quite intelligent, about on par with a human toddler, and are even capable of learning to "speak" and mimic sounds. They generally love to be around people, often even climbing into their owner's shirt for a cuddle, and they're so smart that some individuals can even be taught tricks!
Conures are social and full of personality. They are flock-oriented birds, and typically do well with other birds in the home. However, they consider their humans to be equally part of the flock and will happily spend their days as an only bird-child with you. They will need at least an hour of daily interaction with their humans to be happy and fulfilled.
Conure Habitat Setup
Choosing the Right Enclosure
Conures need a spacious, enriching, and social environment to stay happy and healthy. Minimum size is 20" x 20" x 30", but the recommended size is 32" x 23" x 36" or larger. If housing multiple birds, increase the cage size accordingly.
Place the enclosure in a room with regular human activity so your conure feels part of the "flock". Keep the cage at or below eye level, away from kitchens and cooking fumes (especially non-stick cookware), strong odors and smoke, drafts, windows, and direct sunlight. Cover the cage at night to help your bird feel safe and secure.
Key Features: Minimum 20" x 20" x 30", recommended 32" x 23" x 36" or larger, active room, at or below eye level, cage cover at night
Perches and Enrichment
Provide at least three toys to encourage exercise and mental stimulation. Rotate toys regularly to keep your bird engaged. Include puzzles, chewables, and foraging items. Place a cuttlebone in the enclosure to support beak and bone health.
Add a T-stand or playpen so your bird can safely play outside the cage (indoors only). Include multiple perches of varying thickness and height for healthy foot movement. Add a ladder perch for extra climbing opportunities. Avoid placing perches directly above food or water bowls to prevent contamination.
Use a liner at the bottom of the enclosure and replace as needed to maintain cleanliness. Cages should be spot cleaned daily, and fully cleaned weekly.
Key Features: At least three toys, puzzles/chewables/foraging items, multiple perches, ladder perch, cuttlebone, T-stand or playpen
Bathing and Humidity
Offer a birdbath or shallow dish for splashing and bathing 2-3 times a week. Alternatively, if your bird prefers showers to baths, gently mist your bird with warm water 2–3 times a week. Provide clean, fresh water for drinking in a bowl or bird water bottle at all times.
Key Features: Birdbath or shallow dish, misting with warm water, fresh water always available
View Water Bottles & Bowls on Amazon
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Key Features | Best For | Size/Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conure Cage | Spacious, enriching, social environment | Housing conures, multiple birds | 32" x 23" x 36" recommended |
| Pellet Diet | Fortified, primary food source | Base diet, balanced nutrition | Remove old food daily |
| Multiple Perches | Varying thickness and height, ladder perch | Foot health, climbing, exercise | At least two perches |
| Toys | Puzzles, chewables, foraging items | Mental stimulation, exercise | At least three toys |
Conure Diet and Nutrition
Pellet Food
This is your bird's primary source of food and nutrition. Remove old food and refill with fresh food daily. Keep the bowl about ¾ full so your bird can eat when they're hungry.
Key Features: Fortified conure pellet diet, primary food source, remove old food daily, keep ¾ full
Fresh Vegetables, Fruits, and Whole Grains
Offer your bird leafy green vegetables, fruits and whole grains every day to help provide a well-rounded and interesting diet to keep your bird healthy.
Key Features: Daily fresh foods, leafy greens, fruits, whole grains, variety
Treats
Treats include nuts, seeds, millet sticks, and foraging treats. Offer treats once or twice a month in limited quantity to help prevent obesity.
Key Features: Nuts, seeds, millet sticks, foraging treats, limited quantity, once or twice monthly
Water
Provide clean, fresh water for your bird at all times either in a water bowl or via a bird water bottle. You may need to provide a second water bowl, or at least check your bird's water regularly as conures are known to enjoy dunking their food in their water.
Key Features: Clean fresh water always, water bowl or bottle, second bowl may be needed, check regularly
View Water Bottles & Bowls on Amazon
Foods to Avoid
Never feed your bird chocolate, sugar, fried foods, avocado, or human junk food. These foods can make your bird very sick.
Conure Care and Maintenance
Daily Interaction
Conures are social and full of personality. They are flock-oriented birds, and typically do well with other birds in the home. However, they consider their humans to be equally part of the flock and will happily spend their days as an only bird-child with you. They will need at least an hour of daily interaction with their humans to be happy and fulfilled.
Cage Cleaning
Use a liner at the bottom of the enclosure and replace as needed to maintain cleanliness. Cages should be spot cleaned daily, and fully cleaned weekly.
Key Features: Spot clean daily, full clean weekly, replace liner as needed
Bathing
Offer a birdbath or shallow dish for splashing and bathing 2-3 times a week. Alternatively, if your bird prefers showers to baths, gently mist your bird with warm water 2–3 times a week.
Key Features: Birdbath or shallow dish, misting with warm water, 2-3 times weekly
When to See a Veterinarian
In addition to regularly scheduled appointments, contact your avian veterinarian if you notice the following signs:
- Long periods sitting at the bottom of the enclosure
- Decreased appetite or weight loss
- Less activity and grooming
- Feathers fluffed for long periods of time
- Sneezing; discharge from eyes, nose or mouth
- Runny droppings for more than two days
- Constantly plucking feathers or feathers are falling out
- Beak overgrown/not closing normally
Go to "find a vet" on AAV.org for help finding an avian veterinarian in your area.
Important Considerations
Socialization
Conures are social and full of personality. They are flock-oriented birds, and typically do well with other birds in the home. However, they consider their humans to be equally part of the flock and will happily spend their days as an only bird-child with you. They will need at least an hour of daily interaction with their humans to be happy and fulfilled.
Enrichment
Provide at least three toys to encourage exercise and mental stimulation. Rotate toys regularly to keep your bird engaged. Include puzzles, chewables, and foraging items. Conures are quite intelligent, about on par with a human toddler, and are even capable of learning to "speak" and mimic sounds.
Safety
Keep the cage at or below eye level, away from kitchens and cooking fumes (especially non-stick cookware), strong odors and smoke, drafts, windows, and direct sunlight. Cover the cage at night to help your bird feel safe and secure.
Out-of-Cage Time
Add a T-stand or playpen so your bird can safely play outside the cage (indoors only). Conures generally love to be around people, often even climbing into their owner's shirt for a cuddle.
Final Verdict
Conures are a variety of parrot that come in all sizes and colors. These curious birds are native to South America and are known to be inquisitive and quite bold compared to some other birds. Conures are sometimes referred to as "clowns of the bird world" due to their playful personalities!
With a proper habitat (minimum 20" x 20" x 30", recommended 32" x 23" x 36" or larger), a balanced diet (fortified conure pellet diet, fresh vegetables and fruits, limited treats), appropriate perches and toys, daily interaction (at least one hour), and regular veterinary care, your conure can live a long and healthy life of up to 20 years.
Quality supplies are an investment in your conure's long-term health and happiness. Choose products that are safe, appropriate for conures, and designed to meet their specific needs. With proper care and attention, your conure will be a delightful and entertaining companion for many years to come.
Use this care guide as a reference when setting up and maintaining your conure's habitat, and don't hesitate to consult with an avian veterinarian if you have questions about your conure's specific needs or notice any signs of illness.