Patagonian Conure

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment25–35 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Respiratory issues · Obesity

The Patagonian Conure (Cyanoliseus patagonus), or Burrowing Parrot, is the largest conure and one of the most unusual parrots kept as a pet. It nests in tunnels dug into sandstone cliffs in Argentina and Chile, in colonies that can run to tens of thousands of birds, and the largest known parrot colony on earth belongs to this species. Everything about its behaviour follows from that: it is intensely social, it spends a great deal of time on the ground, and it wants to dig. As a companion it is affectionate, clever and remarkably steady in temperament, with less of the sudden nipping common in smaller conures. The catch is noise. Colony birds communicate over distance, and a Patagonian's call is loud, harsh and carrying; this is a house or aviary bird, not an apartment bird. They are also strong chewers and will strip soft furnishings and skirting boards given the chance. Housing should be a large aviary or flight cage that allows real horizontal flight, with floor space and safe substrate or a digging box, since denying a burrowing species the chance to dig is a common cause of frustration behaviour. Feed a pellet base with generous vegetables, greens and some seed, as this species eats more seed and grass in the wild than tropical conures do. Keep them in pairs or groups if possible. Watch weight, watch for plucking, keep the air free of non-stick fumes and aerosols, and book an annual avian vet check.

• How much activity does a Patagonian Conure need?

  High. Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• How much feather care does a Patagonian Conure need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Patagonian Conure need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Patagonian Conure a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Patagonian Conure live?

  25–35 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Patagonian Conure?

  Keep an eye out for Feather plucking, Respiratory issues, Obesity. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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