Green Cheeks

07/06/06

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Most people think of conures as ear piercingly loud. The two most known conure groups are the Pyrrhura and Aratinga. Green Cheeks are in the pyhurra family. They are known as the quiet conure.

Green Cheeks come in several color mutations. Green which is the wild coloration, their tail feathers are red and when you study the normal green cheek you will note many subtle colorations, blues, yellows and reds. The other color mutations are Yellow Sided; Cinnamon; Pineapple and Turquoise.

Green Cheeks are playful little clowns; they are very curious and love to be part of the activities. They are good little eaters and will eat a wide variety of foods. Corn is one of their favorites. They like to use their beak a lot to explore things. I compare it to the baby who has to put everything in his mouth.

Most Green Cheeks love to cuddle. You do need to take into consideration that each bird is an individual. Most like to have their heads rub and once you have earned their trust they will lie on their back and let you rub their tummy and under their wings.

They love to play. It does not matter if the toys are store bought or homemade, they will invent ways to play with objects you would never imagine could be a toy. They need things to chew. Empty paper towel rolls, brown lunch bags and a cob from corn on the cob can be just as entertaining for your green cheek as it is for you to watch them play with them. Youngsters will get into little puppy like wrestling sessions and tumble around using their beaks and feet to grab at each other.

Green cheeks are cautiously curious. They have to know what is happening but at the same time show apprehension at a new situation. Well socialized youngsters usually handle new situations calmly and love to meet new people.

These guys have the capability to learn tricks, be potty trained and some can learn to speak a few words. Although with their gravelly little voices it may be hard to make out what they are saying. I have one that says pretty boy, step up and come here.

With all of these wonderful attributes there are things to remember. Green Cheeks like all parrots are not domesticated animals, most are only first or second generation removed from the wild. At times they can assert themselves with a well placed nip, especially if things are not going their way. Most will go through a nippy stage, like toddlers go through the terrible twos. If they are nippy, there is usually a really good reason. Having the knowledge of a Parrot behavior book will help you understand and learn how to deal with these incidents. But for the most part on average these little guys get through this stage and it is not a big problem.