Conures - Genus Aratinga

Six genera of parakeets are generally classified as conures. They were previous classified as genus Conurus (from the Greek: Kone (cone) and Ourus (tail-bearing), which translated as having a cone-shaped tail. Their scientific classification has changed, but the name "conure" has stayed.

There are many species of Aratinga conures --"Ara" from the genus' similarity to macaws (Genus Ara) and "tinga," a diminutive, so that Aratinga literally means "little macaw." The number of species and subspecies of Aratinga varies according to the source consulted. According to the on-line version of Encyclopedia Britannica, the Britannica Home Page on the Internet, there are about 45 species of conures, broken into about 7 genera of which Aratinga is one. According to Joseph Forshaw in the third edition of Parrots of the World, there are 19 species and 34 currently existing subspecies of Aratinga, of which 13 belong to the St. Thomas conure species.

There are strong similarities between some of the members of the Aratinga genus, and the smaller members of genus Ara (macaws). The primary visible difference is that the macaws have a bare facial patch, while many of the conures have a bare orbital eye ring. Aratinga conures vary in size from 9 to 14 inches, which makes the larger of them larger than the smallest of the Ara genus. The majority of the Aratinga species are primarily green with variously colored markings on the head and body--red, yellow, blue markings all exist. The exceptions to this rule are the Sun, and the Queen of Bavaria, all of whom bear striking yellow, yellow-orange coloration over most of the body. Additionally, with the Jenday and the Golden-capped much of the body is marked with yellow, yellow-orange, and red coloration. Beaks can be horn colored or black, but are never red.

There is at least one extinct species of Aratinga, the Carolina Parakeet, a member of the Aratinga genus (A. carolinensis), was native to the U.S. prior to its extinction in the early 20th century. Several Aratinga species are considered endangered, or vulnerable, among them A. gaurouba, the Queen of Bavaria conure, which is the only member of the Aratinga genus to have the heavier body of more typical parrot species.

The species generally travels in medium flocks except in breeding season, when the flock breaks down into pairs for nesting. In nature, Aratinga species have various nesting habits, varying from hollow trees (most species), to termite nests (St. Thomas conure) to rock crevices (the Aztec conure). The female lays and incubates 2 to 6 eggs, with the average being 3 to 4. Incubation is done entirely by the hen; the incubation period is 26 to 27 days. (In captivity, the average incubation period is shorter, possibly because the hen can brood more consistently, with fewer disturbances.) The male will sometimes spend the night in the nest with the female and the eggs. The young begin to feather after about 10 to 14 days. They will stay with their parents for varying lengths of time, depending on conditions and species.

A problem particular to conures is Conure Bleeding Syndrome, which often occurs in baby conures and conures under stress. The cause of CBS is not known, but is believed to be viral. In a healthy bird, the Vitamin K necessary to the production of blood clotting agents, is usually produced by intestinal bacteria. Until recently, CBS was almost invariably fatal, but recently there has been some success reported when Vitamin K and calcium supplements are added to the treatment for CBS. Because of their susceptibility to CBS, it is common sense that the conure diet should contain items high in calcium and Vitamin K, such as kale, carrot tops, alfalfa, tomatoes, egg yolk, soy oil, and fish meal, or a good pelleted diet should be fed.

Map 1 shows the range of a several species of Aratinga conure which are hard to distinguish, since they are very similar in coloration, with only the amount and placement of the red coloration varying. Rosemary Low says that this group of conures would be more logically considered conspecific species (all the same species). There is no overlap in their ranges, and their range covers most of South America, Central America and Mexico.

The second group of conures on Map 1 are often referred to as the "sunshine" conures, because of their striking yellow, and yellow red coloration.

Map 2 shows the ranges, and overlapping ranges of the rest of the Aratinga species, with the exception of the many species or subspecies located on the smaller of the Caribbean Islands.

Aratinga conures are noted for their loud, strident calls, as well as their lively, fun-loving, playful, cheerful personalities.

[Note: maps are not included - Contact Big Apple Bird Club for copies.)