Sun conure (Aratinga solstitialis)

What do I eat?

Sun conures are often found eating and looking for food together, in groups of up to 30 birds.

They will feed on different foods depending on what is available, such as fruits, flowers, berries, seeds, nuts and sometimes insects.

Where do I live?

These birds are found in South America, mostly in central Guyana, Brazil and south eastern Venezuela. Sun conures prefer habitats such as open savannah, savannah woodland and areas that are known to flood in different seasons.

Breeding

There is little research about the wild breeding behaviours of sun conures, but it is thought that like the rest of the parrot family, these birds would mate for life (monogamous).

They will build a nest within spaces in palm trees, and the female will lay 3-4 eggs and it is only her that will sit on the eggs (incubate) for about a month. The chicks will stay in the nest for around 8 weeks before leaving (fledging). These birds are mature and able to breed from between 1-2 years of age.

Predators

It is not known what the main predators of sun conures are in the wild, yet it is thought that during breeding season when they are nesting, they could be threatened by other animals such as snakes and small mammals (i.e. rats).

Conservation

Sun conures are mostly threatened by being caught and sold illegally to the pet trade. In the 1970’s sun conures were found in large numbers across their range, but with more demand for these animals as pets, they are now rare or no longer found in some areas. Loss of habitat is also a threat to these birds, due to demand for land for farming and livestock animals (e.g. cows) overgrazing in some areas.

The international trade of sun conures is regulated and requires permits. However further protection for these birds has been suggested so that the trade of this species is banned, in order to protect the wild numbers of sun conures.