Conures are playful, cuddly clowns that bond hard with their families, but they are loud and can live up to 30 years. This guide covers cage setup, a pellet-and-veg diet, managing screaming, enrichment, healthy bonding and the health signs that mean see an avian vet.
Conures are playful, affectionate, comedic parrots that bond hard with their families — but they are loud, and the bigger species (like sun and jenday conures) can scream at a volume that carries through walls. Before committing, be honest about noise, neighbours and time. Feed pellets plus vegetables, give hours of interaction and out-of-cage play daily, and plan for a long life: 15-20 years for many green-cheeks, up to 30 for larger conures.
Conures are playful, cuddly clowns that bond hard with their families, but they are loud and can live up to 30 years.
Conures are active and love to climb, hang and play, so buy the biggest cage you can — at least 60-75 cm wide for smaller species, larger for bigger ones. Choose secure latches and durable, replaceable toys, because conures chew hard. Fit natural perches of varying thickness, a cuttlebone, foraging toys and a snuggle-friendly spot, as many conures love to burrow.
A big cage full of durable foraging toys keeps an energetic conure busy and helps prevent screaming.
Keep the cage in a family room away from the kitchen and draughts. In small high-rise flats, think carefully about where the noise will carry.
Base the diet on formulated pellets (around 60-70%) with a daily portion of vegetables — leafy greens, capsicum, carrot, broccoli, peas — and modest amounts of fruit, which conures adore. Keep seed and nuts as treats. Provide a cuttlebone and fresh water daily.
All conures vocalise, and a happy morning-and-evening "flock call" is normal. Problem screaming usually comes from boredom, loneliness or accidentally rewarding the noise with attention. Prevent it: give a predictable daily routine, hours of interaction, rotating foraging toys, and out-of-cage play in a bird-proofed room. Never reward screaming by rushing over; reward quiet, calm behaviour instead.
Hours of daily interaction and out-of-cage play keep a conure happy, bonded and quieter.
A bored, under-stimulated conure may also start plucking its feathers — an early sign to increase enrichment and, if it persists, see an avian vet to rule out medical causes.
Conures are famously cuddly and will bond intensely, sometimes to just one person, which can lead to jealous nipping of others. Spread handling across the household, teach step-up and simple tricks, and set gentle boundaries so a hormonal conure does not rule the home. Keep sessions positive; these are sensitive, clever birds that respond to trust, not force.
A healthy conure is bright, active, noisy, playful and eating well, with smooth feathers, clean nostrils and clear eyes. Droppings have a firm dark part and white urate; fruit can loosen them briefly, which is normal.
Are conures too loud for an apartment?
Sun and jenday conures are genuinely loud and may upset close neighbours. Green-cheeked and other small conures are much quieter and more flat-friendly, though no conure is silent.
Do conures talk?
Some learn a handful of words, but they are valued more for personality, play and antics than for talking. Green-cheeks tend to be quieter talkers.
Are conures good for beginners?
Yes, for a committed beginner who can handle noise and daily interaction. Green-cheeked conures are a popular, more manageable starting point.
How long do conures live?
Roughly 15-20 years for many green-cheeks and up to about 30 for larger conures — a decades-long commitment.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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