Green Cheek Conure

The Green Cheek Conure is native to the forests, woodlands and forest edges of central and southwestern South America, with a natural range spanning Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. They inhabit a range of forested environments from subtropical lowland rainforest to montane woodland, where they live in small, noisy flocks of 10–20 birds, roosting communally and foraging in the canopy for berries, fruits, seeds and plant material.

Green Cheek Conures have become one of the most popular small parrot species in Australian aviculture, and for good reason. They are affectionate, playful, relatively quiet compared to Sun Conures or larger parrots, and available in a spectacular range of colour mutations. Their small size makes them practical for apartment and suburban living while their personality and intelligence make them genuinely engaging companions.

As exotic (non-native) birds, Green Cheek Conures do not require a specific keeper licence in most Australian states — confirm current requirements with your state wildlife authority.

Green Cheek Conures are active and acrobatic and need a cage that provides room for movement despite their small body size. Minimum cage dimensions are 90cm W × 50cm D × 90cm H with bar spacing no greater than 1.5–2 cm. A wider cage allows for additional perches and toys, which this species will actively use.

Provide three to four perches of varying diameter and material — natural timber perches, rope perches and textured perches at different heights. Green Cheek Conures love to climb and will use horizontal bars as much as perches. A play top cage or separate play gym provides valuable out-of-cage territory. Although Green Cheeks love enclosed resting spaces, care should be taken as nest-like hides may stimulate hormonal behaviour such as territoriality and nesting behaviour in companion birds.

Place the cage in a social part of the home — Green Cheeks are social birds and benefit from being involved in household activity. Cover at night to support good sleep. Provide a minimum of six rotating toys: chew toys, foot toys, foraging toys, swings and bells. Green Cheek Conures enjoy burrowing into toys and resting in hanging tents — these are appropriate and natural for the species.

Green Cheek Conures should be fed a quality small parrot pellet as their dietary foundation — approximately 60–70% of total diet. Supplement daily with fresh fruit and vegetables, including apple, pear, mango, grapes, capsicum, corn, broccoli, carrot and leafy greens. Remove fresh food within two to three hours. Never feed avocado, chocolate, onion, garlic, caffeine, fruit seeds or salted/processed human food.

A small amount of quality small parrot seed mix — such as a mix containing millet, canary seed, safflower and small oat — can be offered as a supplement or training reward, but should not dominate the diet. Nuts in very small pieces (almond, walnut) can be given as occasional treats. Cuttlebone should be available at all times. Vitamin supplements can be added to water two to three times per week. Fresh water must be changed daily.

Green Cheek Conures are generally very receptive to handling and most hand-raised birds step up readily from day one. Establish step-up training with positive reinforcement — small pieces of fruit or seed as rewards are highly effective. Handle daily to maintain tameness and build the bond.

Green Cheeks can become nippy when overtired, overstimulated or hormonal — watch for eye pinning, head tucking or aggressive feather puffing as signals that the bird needs to return to its cage. Supervised free-roaming time of thirty minutes to an hour daily is important for physical activity and mental wellbeing. Be aware of the risk of foot injuries — these small birds can be stepped on easily; always be aware of where your bird is when it is out of its cage.

Green Cheek Conures are highly enrichable given their active, curious and playful nature. Foraging enrichment is very effective — hide food in foraging toys, wrap in paper, place in egg carton pockets or hang on skewers. Rotate toys every few days; these birds engage readily with novel objects.

Trick training with positive reinforcement is highly effective and strengthens the bird-owner bond. Teach step-up, target training, wave and recall as foundational behaviours. Green Cheeks can learn an impressive number of tricks for their size. Supervised out-of-cage play time with a gym or play stand, bathing in a shallow dish or light misting, and social inclusion in household activities all contribute to a stimulated, well-adjusted bird.

Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD): A viral disease causing progressive neurological and digestive symptoms — source from reputable, tested breeders.

Psittacosis (Chlamydiosis): Annual vet checks and good hygiene are preventative.

Feather Destructive Behaviour: Uncommon in well-managed Green Cheeks but can develop with chronic boredom or insufficient social interaction.

Respiratory and bacterial infections: Often linked to vitamin A deficiency; a pellet-based diet significantly reduces risk.

Aspergillosis: A fungal respiratory infection; maintain good cage ventilation and hygiene. Beak and nail overgrowth: Can occur with inadequate perch variety — provide natural timber perches of varying diameter to support natural wear.

Internal parasites: Recommend faecal check at first vet visit and annually.