Sydney
|
FEATURED BIRD - MARCH 2007
PATAGONIAN CONURE
Cyanoliseus patagonus
Patagonian means "big feet" in Spanish, and they do indeed have big feet! They are the largest of the conure species, psittacine birds native to South America.
These birds are also known as burrowing parrots, and they use those "big feet" to burrow into up to six feet deep into cliff faces to make their nests. The hen will lay from 3-4 eggs with an incubation time of 24-26 days, and the chicks leave the nest (fledge) at around 80 days. Patagonians will return to the same cliffs year after year to go to nest.
These beautiful birds were named for the region in South America where they live, Patagonia. This area is now included as part of Chile and Argentina. These birds love to flock together, are very social and like to make their nests near water.
Unfortunately, in their native land, they are considered a nuisance since they destroy local crops, and young parrots are often eaten as delicacies.
Patagonian conures have long been popular as companion parrots. However in the early days of importation, they were considered 'disposable' and highly trapped in their indigenous habitats. Due to the stress of capture, confinement, exportation and quarantine, many lost their lives. Patty's also got a bad rap as being carriers of the dreaded Pacheco's virus - a disease fatal to many parrots. As they were plentiful in the avicultural trade, they were cheap and held little economic value. How sad and untrue! These charming parrots are comical, gentle, highly intelligent, love to play, extremely affectionate, and they are capable of learning human vocalization.The major drawback in sharing one's home with these parrots is that they can be VERY LOUD!!!!!!!!!
If you think they are drab looking, take another look at the varied olive greens and browns, the startling blue in the wing feathers, and the red/orange/yellow markings on the underbelly. The eye area is the most striking feature, a sideways on, white tear-drop shape that draws you in to beautiful grey eyes that look right into your soul. They almost say "I know what you are thinking".
As a companion bird, Patty's need to be housed in as large a cage as possible to protect their long, graceful tail. They thrive when allowed the freedom of a large play stand, being allowed to sit on top of their cages and the benefit of an outdoor cage or flight for several hours a week. These birds are natural foragers, so toys that encourage this behavior are great as long as you don't mind the mess! Their diet consists of germinated seed and sprouts, nuts and seeds, legumes, fruits and vegetables and along with a high quality pelleted diet along with a few healthy human treats ! Patty's enjoy a lot of interaction, and from my observation they love for you to sit with them while they eat. Dining is a social flock activity. Patty's are water sprites and adore their baths. Nothing is funnier than seeing a 24" long Patty trying to take a bath in a small water bowl, so, if they don't like to be misted (and mine hates it), provide a shallow pan of tepid water and be prepared to have the volume of water increase tenfold as your friend bathes and shares it with the walls, windows, floors and you of course!
Patagonian Conures can be extremely loud, so an apartment would probably not be the best place to have one; they are full on, high energy, 200% birds ALL of the time. Nesting (in all birds) is an instinct that might become an issue, but if you are careful not to provide too many opportunities to encourage this behavior it should not present a problem. The keys to a healthy and happy bird are a good and varied diet, LOTS of toys and foraging opportunities, frequent bathing and other activities keep their brains and their bodies occupied. Mine will take a single sheet of paper, make a tent and drag all of her toys into it, then tell me in a very loud voice how clever she is. Last year she displayed nesting tendencies, and just screamed at the top of her lungs for over 30 minutes at a time. I took everything out of her cage - boxes, paper, anything that resembled a nest, and replaced it with a single sheet of paper and a wooden ball about 1" around. She was as happy as a clam and quietly nested that ball for 2 months, never once becoming protective of it if I moved her or the ballwhen cleaning.
If you have the time to visit our aviary and adoption center, please make your acquaintance of our small flock (6) and listen for the very distinctive sound of Cyanoliseus patagonus.Look into those exquisite soulful eyes, maybe you will be hooked too, just like I was when I met Sydney! |
