Green Cheeked Conure: Your Essential Guide to Successful Breeding & Care

The green cheeked conure (Pyrrhura molinae) has become one of the most sought-after species in modern aviculture, prized for its manageable size, relatively quiet nature, and excellent breeding performance in captivity. Native to South American forests spanning Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina, this small conure adapts remarkably well to aviary conditions, making it ideal for both serious breeders and dedicated hobbyists. This comprehensive guide focuses on practical breeding management, optimal housing setups, and the nuances that separate successful breeding programs from casual keeping.

Quick Facts

Scientific Name: Pyrrhura molinae
Common Names: Green-cheeked parakeet, Green-cheeked conure
Size: 26 cm (10 inches)
Weight: 60-80 grams
Lifespan: 15-25+ years (up to 30 in optimal conditions)
Sexual Maturity: 1-2 years (breeding best at 2+ years)
Clutch Size: 4-6 eggs (occasionally up to 8)
Incubation Period: 22-25 days
Fledging Age: 6-8 weeks
CITES Status: Not listed (captive-bred widely available)
Temperament: Social, playful, bonds strongly with mates

Sexual Dimorphism

The green cheeked conure exhibits minimal visual sexual dimorphism, making sexing by appearance alone unreliable. Males typically display slightly broader heads and more robust beaks, while females may appear marginally smaller with narrower pelvic bones—differences often too subtle for accurate identification.

Reliable Sexing Methods:

• DNA Testing: The gold standard for breeders; requires blood sample or plucked feathers sent to avian laboratories
• Surgical Sexing: Endoscopic examination by avian veterinarians (invasive but 100% accurate)
• Behavioral Cues: Males may exhibit more feeding behavior toward mates and increased vocalizations during breeding season, though not definitive

Professional breeders maintain detailed records linking DNA results to leg bands for accurate pairing and lineage tracking.

Diet in the Wild & Captivity

Wild Diet

In their natural habitat, green cheeked conures consume diverse plant materials including seeds, fruits, berries, flowers, and leaf buds. They forage in forest canopies and agricultural areas, adapting seasonally to available resources.

Captive Nutrition for Breeding Stock

Base Diet (70%):

• High-quality pellets formulated for small conures (Harrison’s, TOPS, Roudybush)
• Fresh pellets daily; remove uneaten portions after 24 hours

Fresh Foods (25%):

• Dark leafy greens (kale, dandelion, mustard greens)
• Vegetables: carrots, sweet potato, bell peppers, broccoli
• Fruits (limited): apple, berries, pomegranate, papaya
• Sprouted seeds for breeding condition

Supplements & Treats (5%):

• Calcium sources (cuttlebone, mineral block) especially critical for laying hens
• Quality seed mix as enrichment (not primary diet)
• Occasional nuts (almond, walnut) for pairs in breeding condition

Breeding Season Enhancement: Increase protein through cooked eggs, legumes, and quinoa 2-3 weeks before expected breeding. Ensure constant calcium availability to prevent egg-binding.

Housing & Aviary Setup

Cage Requirements for Breeding Pairs

Minimum Dimensions: 90cm L × 60cm W × 90cm H (36″ × 24″ × 36″)
Bar Spacing: 1.5-2 cm (⅝-¾ inch)
Material: Powder-coated or stainless steel (avoid zinc, lead)

Optimal Setup:

• Horizontal flight space prioritized for exercise
• Natural wood perches (varying diameters 1.5-3 cm)
• Position nestbox at highest point in cage
• Provide privacy screening on 2-3 sides during breeding
• Separate feeding stations to reduce competition

Colony vs. Pair Breeding

Pair Breeding (Recommended): For the green cheeked conure, individual cages for each pair ensure accurate parentage records, reduce aggression, and allow targeted management. Essential for selective breeding programs and color mutation projects.

Colony Breeding: Possible in large aviaries (minimum 3m × 2m × 2m) with more nestboxes than pairs. Increases social stimulation but complicates record-keeping and may result in aggression during breeding season.

Environmental Conditions

• Temperature: 18-24°C (65-75°F); avoid drafts
• Humidity: 40-60% (increase to 60-70% during incubation)
• Lighting: 12-14 hours in breeding season; 10-12 hours off-season
• Ventilation: Fresh air circulation without direct drafts

Nestbox & Breeding Management

Nestbox Specifications

Dimensions: 25cm × 25cm × 35cm high (10″ × 10″ × 14″)
Entrance Hole: 6-7 cm diameter
Interior: Inspection door on side or removable top
Substrate: Pine shavings 5-8 cm deep (avoid cedar—toxic)

Mount securely at highest point; add ladder or grooves below entrance. Provide multiple boxes in colonies to reduce competition.

Breeding Cycle Management

Preparation Phase:

• Introduce nestbox 2-3 weeks after conditioning diet
• Monitor pair bonding behaviors (mutual preening, feeding)
• Ensure hen has adequate calcium stores

Egg Laying & Incubation:

• Eggs laid every other day
• Hen incubates primarily; male feeds her
• Candling recommended at 7-10 days to check fertility
• Avoid excessive disturbance but inspect eggs weekly

Chick Rearing:

• Parents typically co-feed chicks
• Monitor for inadequate feeding (weigh chicks every 2-3 days)
• Pull chicks at 2-3 weeks for hand-feeding if desired
• Parent-raised birds typically wean at 8-10 weeks

Post-Breeding Rest:

• Limit to 2-3 clutches annually to preserve hen health
• Remove nestbox for 3-4 months between breeding cycles
• Reduce protein and increase rest period lighting

Aviculture & Conservation Notes

Captive breeding of the green cheeked conure has been extraordinarily successful, with established populations worldwide eliminating pressure on wild populations. Multiple color mutations (cinnamon, yellow-sided, turquoise, pineapple) have been developed through selective breeding, creating diverse market demand.

Conservation Status: Wild populations remain stable across their range with no immediate threats. Responsible aviculture contributes to species knowledge and reduces wild-caught trade demand. Breeders should maintain genetic diversity by occasionally introducing unrelated breeding stock and avoiding excessive inbreeding in mutation lines.

Health, Parasite Control & Common Issues

Preventive Health Management

• Quarantine: 30-45 days for new birds; separate housing and equipment
• Veterinary Checks: Annual wellness exams; pre-breeding health screening
• Parasite Prevention: Fecal tests every 6 months; treat for giardia, coccidia, worms as needed
• Vaccination: Consider Polyomavirus vaccine in breeding facilities

Common Breeding-Related Issues

Egg Binding: Medical emergency; caused by calcium deficiency, obesity, or first-time layers. Requires immediate veterinary intervention.

Infertile Eggs: May indicate poor nutrition, incompatible pairs, age-related fertility decline, or environmental stress.

Chick Mortality: Often caused by parental inexperience, inadequate nutrition, bacterial infections, or temperature fluctuations. Maintain strict hygiene and monitor closely.

Feather Destructive Behavior: Stress-related; ensure adequate enrichment, proper diet, and environmental stability.

Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD): Viral disease affecting parrots; maintain biosecurity and test breeding stock.

Breeder’s Tips & Checklist

Pre-Breeding Checklist : Green cheeked conure

✓ DNA-sexed pairs with documentation
✓ Birds minimum 18 months old, ideally 2+ years
✓ Health screening completed (fecal, blood work)
✓ Optimal body condition (not overweight)
✓ Appropriate housing established
✓ Nestboxes prepared with substrate
✓ Breeding diet implemented 3 weeks prior
✓ Calcium sources readily available
✓ Record-keeping system organized
✓ Emergency veterinary contact established

Success Strategies

• Pair Compatibility: Not all birds bond; be prepared to reorganize pairs if aggression or disinterest occurs
• Consistent Routine: Maintain regular feeding times and minimize disturbances during breeding
• Record Everything: Track clutch dates, egg fertility, hatch rates, and chick development for optimization
• Genetic Planning: Avoid pairing closely related birds; maintain heterozygosity
• Humidity Management: Slightly increase humidity during late incubation to ease hatching
• Band Chicks: Use closed bands at 10-12 days for permanent identification

FAQ