How big of a cage does a conure need?

At minimum around 50 x 50 x 60 cm (20 x 20 x 24 in), with bar spacing of 1.5–2 cm and plenty of room to climb and play.

Why is my conure nipping?

Nipping is common in under-socialized or bored conures; consistent step-up training, daily interaction, and enough enrichment usually reduce it over time.

Animal care guide

Conure Care Guide

Pyrrhura molinae

Conures pack a lot of personality into a small body — and a lot of noise, too, so knowing what to expect before bringing one home matters as much as the cage setup.

Lifespan

10–15 years for green-cheeked conures, sometimes longer

Adult size

About 26 cm (10 in) long, weighing 60–80 g

Diet

Formulated pellets plus vegetables, fruit, and limited seeds

Temperament

Playful, affectionate, can be nippy without consistent handling

Housing

Cage at least 50 x 50 x 60 cm with room to climb and play

Legal notes

No special permit typically required for pet conures in most of Canada; check municipal bylaws if planning to keep several birds

Green-cheeked conures are small parrots with outsized personalities — playful, curious, and quick to bond, but also capable of surprisingly loud calls and occasional nippiness if under-stimulated. Their compact size makes them popular for smaller homes, though their enrichment needs are just as real as a larger parrot's.

Cage setup

Provide a cage at least 50 x 50 x 60 cm (20 x 20 x 24 in) with horizontal bar spacing suited to climbing
Space bars no more than 1.5–2 cm apart to prevent escape or injury
Include multiple perches of varying diameters and a few chewable wood perches
Offer a play stand or gym outside the cage for supervised time
Position the cage in a social area of the home, since conures enjoy being part of household activity

Diet & feeding

Base the diet on formulated pellets, supplemented daily with fresh vegetables
Offer fruit in moderation due to sugar content
Limit seeds and nuts to occasional treats rather than a dietary staple
Avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, and salty or sugary human food
Provide a cuttlebone or mineral block for calcium

Noise & behaviour expectations

Expect regular chirping and occasional loud calls, especially around dawn/dusk or when excited — conures are louder than their small size suggests
Provide consistent daily interaction to reduce attention-seeking screaming
Redirect nipping behaviour with calm, consistent step-up training rather than punishment
Recognize that conures can be one-person birds and may need patient socialization with other household members
Establish a predictable daily routine to reduce anxiety-driven behaviours

Enrichment & toy rotation

Rotate toys every 1–2 weeks to keep novelty high and prevent boredom
Include a mix of shreddable, foraging, and chewable toys to satisfy different natural behaviours
Hide treats in foraging toys or paper to encourage problem-solving
Provide daily out-of-cage time in a bird-proofed room
Introduce new toys gradually, since sudden changes can spook a cautious bird

Health & common problems

Watch for fluffed feathers, reduced activity, or changes in droppings as early illness signs
Schedule annual wellness visits with an avian veterinarian
Keep the bird's air free of non-stick cookware fumes, aerosols, and scented candle smoke, all of which are respiratory hazards
Persistent screaming or feather chewing usually points to insufficient enrichment or attention rather than illness

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Frequently asked questions

They can be — while generally quieter than large parrots overall, conures are known for surprisingly loud calls for their size, especially at dawn, dusk, or when excited.