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The Turquoise Green-Cheeked Conure is a medium-sized parrot that can grow up to 25 inches long from head to tail and is one of the most popular pet birds in North America. They’re native to Central and South America, but they’ve been introduced worldwide. Conures are known for their beautiful colors and ability to mimic human speech patterns.
The Turquoise Green-Cheeked Conure is an expensive but attractive pet, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this remarkable bird.
Species Overview
| Common Names: | Green-Cheeked Parrakeet |
| Scientific Name: | Pyrrhura molinae |
| Adult Size: | 10 inches |
| Life Expectancy: | 20–30 years |
Origin and History
The Green-Cheeked conure, also known as the Turquoise-Fronted Conure, is native to South America. They live in groups of 6–20 birds. According to a small number of zoos that keep them, some individuals have been recorded to reach 60 years of age in captivity!
Initially found in Bolivia and southern Brazil, the Turquoise Green-Cheeked Conure is now common in many countries, including Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, and Suriname. They’ve also been introduced to Florida and Hawaii.
Their natural habitat includes forest edges with tall trees and thick vegetation. They also live in agricultural areas and can be seen at the edges of the rainforest. It’s not clear exactly how the birds got to Hawaii, but some believe that humans introduced them years ago.
Locals recognized these birds for many years, but they weren’t officially named until 1873. They were spotted by German explorer Alfred Brehm in the Bolivian jungle, who wrote about them in his journal and classified them under a new species name. In 1926, English ornithologist Philip Sclater gave the bird its current scientific name.
Turquoise Green-Cheeked Conure Colors and Markings
The head and chest of this parrot are turquoise green, which is their namesake. They have black beaks, lips, and ears, with a white spot on top of the upper mandible. The eyes are brown or orange-brown. Their chests are a mixture of vibrant greens, blues, and yellows. They have a dark stripe on their upper abdomens, which extends to the top of the chest. The back of the conure is green or brown with black feathers.
The feet are gray or white, and the tail is bluish-black at the tips and more green near its base. The bottom of the tail is green or brown.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Turquoise Green-Cheeked Conure
The Turquoise Green-Cheeked conure is rare and only available through breeders. Feral populations have been found in Florida and Hawaii but are scarce. If you find a wild-caught Green-Cheeked Conure while hiking or bird watching, consider reporting the sighting to your state wildlife organization. It’s illegal to keep a wild conure as a pet, and the species could die out if too many are caught.
If you plan to adopt or buy a Green-Cheeked Conure, you’ll want to ensure they are captive-bred and not wild-caught. If the breeder doesn’t know the bird’s origin, avoid buying from them. The average price for a regular Green-Cheeked Conure is around $450, and they are available in most pet stores. On top of adoption fees, you’ll need to budget for housing and food.
Final Thoughts
With all this new information, we hope you find the Turquoise Green-Cheeked conure an attractive and interesting option for a pet. They’re not cheap, but they’re rare and unique! They have an impressive vocal range, even though they don’t imitate words as well as other parrots, and form strong bonds with their owners.
Featured Image Credit: Jida Xu, Shutterstock
