Green-cheeked Conures are one of my favourite parrots! I have one called Boris! ____________________________ Names: Green-cheeked Conure, Green-cheeked Parakeet Scientific name: Pyrrhura molinae Conservation status: Least Concern Info: The Green-cheeked Conure is typically 26 cm long and weighs 60-80 g. It is mainly green, with a brown-grey crown, white periophthalmic rings, green cheeks, blue primary wing feathers, a grey beak, and its long pointed tail is mostly maroon. It has short transverse striations on its breast and a red abdominal area. Males and females have an identical external appearance. The green-cheeked parakeet occurs in west-central and southern Mato Grosso, Brazil, northern and eastern Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and western Paraguay. Its habitat is forests and woodland, where it usually forms flocks of 10 to 20 individuals at treetop level, or larger flocks where there is more food. It is also emerging as a popular pet for families and individuals. The green-cheeked conure eats various seeds and fruits. The average clutch is 4–6 eggs. Average incubation is 24 days, varying from 22-25 days. They are the quietest of the conures and can learn tricks and have a limited vocabulary, with extensive training. Green-cheeked parrots are common in aviculture and are popular companion parrots. They are playful, affectionate and intelligent, known as having a "big personality in a small body". They can learn to talk, though 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, "kissing," shaking, hanging upside down and even can be potty trained. Green-cheeked parrots are quiet, so even an apartment dweller can enjoy their companionship. 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 found in their natural environments. Green-cheeked parrots also love table food—they are flock animals and love to eat with their family. They can eat potatoes, carrots, corn, bread, pasta, and plain popcorn. A clipped and/or caged bird can become obese from eating too many fatty seeds such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. There are colour mutations: -Cinnamon - are lime green and have a lighter, almost pale color to the feathers. The head is tan and the tail feathers are a lighter maroon than in normal green-cheeked parrots. -Yellow-sided - have a breast of bright colors. -Pineapple - is cinnamon and yellow-sided combination. They have a breast of bright colors, a tan head and lime green feathers on the back like a cinnamon green-cheeked parrot. The tail feathers are the same as a yellow-sided, showing a halo effect. -Turquoise - have a body with some blue-green and green feathers. The breast feathers are grayish and the tail feathers are grey. -A green/red/blue apple mutation is not very common but has been seen. The Green-cheeked Conure has six subspecies: -P. m. australis -P. m. flavoptera -P. m. hypoxantha -P. m. molinae -P. m. phoenicura -P. m. restricta
