Jenday Conure

Now, if you thought you had seen the best and silliest of all the clowns in the parrot world, think again. Here’s someone who can challenge that claim. Meet the Jenday conure! Like all the members of their family, these little goofballs are full of tricks and cuddles. They are loved worldwide and make great pet parrots and companion birds as well- thanks to their moderate lifespan of 30 years and more.

The Jenday conure is one of the goofiest little clowns in the parrot world. They’re a world of fun.

Native Region/Natural Habitat

These little conures are found naturally in a pretty big region that is centered in northern Brazil. They live in lowland woodlands, palm groves, and dense growth. They have a preference to nest high up, choosing tree hollows for their home. Luckily, this parakeet is protected by law, so its capture and trade are strictly forbidden. This is the reason for a healthy and numerous populations in the wild.

They are considered small, with an average length that reaches up to 12 inches (30 centimeters). Same as most parakeets, Jenday Conures also have a long tail which only gives an illusion of size. One interesting fact concerns their feet. These parrots are zygodactyls – meaning they have two toes in front and two in back. This is a fantastic tool for hanging upside down – an action they love to perform.

Before befriending one of these silly little conures, you’ll need to remember that they can be quite noisy. They have shrill, loud call which consists of connected beeps and chirps. This is their way to express that they are happy, sad or simply a bit spoiled. This level of noise makes them a house bird only. They are also known to repeat just a few short words, but don’t rely on it – their tricks and silly nature are their main pride.

Similarly to the Sun conures, these lively birds are full of vibrant and dazzling colors. Just their looks are enough to brighten your day, let alone their fun nature. The head and the chest are bright yellow, while the wings, back, and tail are green. The belly is fiery orange. There’s a little bit of blue on the tip of the tail and flight feathers. And with the added black beak, these colors combined create a striking and beautiful little parrot.

With this rainbow mix of colors, the Jenday conure flaunts a striking and exotic plumage.

Conures in the wild love to eat a careful selection of seeds, nuts, insects and fruit blossoms. As a pet, their needs are met with a specially created seed mix, commonly found in pet stores. You should add a healthy dose of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cuttlebone for a dose of needed calcium. Another vital part of their care is the free space. As they are little, they are also very energetic. You need to allow them a lot of open space to fly, explore and goof around. It is the foundation of good health and makes any parrot happy.

Don’t be fooled by their size. Jenday conures are hardy and adapt very well. If you take care of the hygiene, exercise and social interaction, your pet won’t have any significant health issues. Remember to observe their behavior for some early signs of trouble. These are apathy, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing and most of all loss of feathers. If you see any of these signs, get your pet to an avian vet.

Take careful steps to ensure optimal health. Hygiene, free space and socializing all play major roles in their well being.

Everyone agrees on one thing – the Jenday conure brings fun to every corner of the home. These goofballs are full of tricks and energetic behavior. Being silly is a part of their nature, so no special training is needed for them to bring a smile to your face. Whether it is dancing to music, singing along, playing with improvised toys or cuddling, the Jenday conure has no trouble with entertainment. And as you get used to the loud calls, with a little patience, you will without a doubt fall in love with your silly little friend. If you’re looking for fun and laughter – then Jenday conure is the friend to get.

Photo credit: Andrew Burgess/BigStock; Caymia/BigStock; weerapat/BigStock