Sun Conure

Conure bleeding syndrome

SignsBleeding from the nose or mouth, bleeding feather shafts, bloody droppings, lethargy, recurring nosebleeds

PreventionFeed a complete pellet containing vitamin K and calcium as the staple. Avoid a seed-only diet

Feather plucking / feather chewing

SignsFeathers missing from the chest or flanks with bare skin showing, chewed and broken shafts, dirty and disheveled feathers

PreventionGive 1–2 hours of out-of-cage time and play each day. Prevent boredom with foraging

Chronic hormonal behavior / egg binding

SignsRubbing the vent, shredding paper into strips to nest, swollen abdomen and straining, crouching on the floor

PreventionLimit daylight to 10 hours or less. No nest box or dark hideouts; do not stroke the back or rump

Aspergillosis

SignsOpen-mouth breathing, hoarse or lost voice, tail bobbing with each breath, weight loss

PreventionPrevent mold in bedding and food. Keep the cage area dry, ventilate daily, discard old seed

Psittacosis

SignsYellow-green droppings, eye and nasal discharge, fluffed feathers, poor appetite

PreventionHave the bird tested before bringing it home. Quarantine new birds in a separate room for several weeks

PBFD (psittacine beak and feather disease)

SignsLost feathers do not regrow, deformed feather shafts, beak overgrows and becomes brittle

PreventionDNA test before bringing the bird home. Do not share equipment with other birds; avoid contact at bird events

Being stepped on / crushed

PreventionThis bird plays on its back on the floor. Watch your feet while it is out, and check under cloth before sitting down

First aidDo not handle; place in a small box, dark and warm. See a vet immediately if breathing is labored, a leg does not move or there is bleeding

Broken wing or leg

PreventionClose curtains and cover mirrors before letting the bird out. Turn off fans and fan heaters

First aidDo not try to splint; place in a small box, dark and warm. See a vet the same day if a wing or leg droops

Bleeding beak or nail

PreventionRemove gaps and splinters in the cage. Trim nails only up to the quick

First aidPress styptic powder or cornstarch on the spot for a few minutes. See a vet immediately if it does not stop or bleeds repeatedly

Burns / electric shock

PreventionDo not cook while the bird is out; run cords through cord covers. No hot drinks left out

First aidCool the area with room-temperature water for a few minutes; do not apply ointment or oil. Electric shock needs an immediate vet visit even if it looks minor

Psittacosis

RouteInhaling dried droppings or feather dust; mouth-to-beak feeding

PreventionMist with water before cleaning. No mouth-to-beak feeding. Tell your doctor if you have persistent fever or cough

Salmonellosis

RouteOral infection from hands or equipment soiled with droppings

PreventionWash hands after care. Wash the bird's dishes separately from family dishes. Do not let young children do the care

Campylobacteriosis

RouteOral infection from droppings or a dirty water dish

PreventionWash and dry water and food dishes daily. Keep the bird out of the kitchen

Bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis

RouteLong-term inhalation of feather dust and dried-dropping dust

PreventionClean and ventilate daily; use an air purifier. Tell your doctor you keep birds if cough or shortness of breath persists

Food

• Complete pellets as the staple, 10–15% of body weight, twice a day
• Komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) and broccoli daily as vitamin K and calcium sources
• Fruit and seeds only as treats, given through foraging after out-of-cage time

Water

• Fresh water twice a day; replace whenever dirty
• Provide separate water for bathing, apart from drinking water

Toys & play

• Soft wood, paper and palm-leaf toys it can chew and destroy
• Foraging toys that hide food to keep its mind busy
• Rope, swings, bells; rotate weekly so it does not get bored

Nest, bed & hideout

• No nest box or fabric tent as a rule; they trigger hormonal behavior
• Cover the cage at night and allow 10–12 hours of dark rest

Bedding & litter

• Line the cage floor with newspaper or pet sheets, changed daily
• No wood shavings or sand; they cause mold and are swallowed
• Wire grates trap nails and feet; use a fine mesh or remove it

Cage / housing material

Stainless steel or safely coated metal. No galvanized (zinc) metal, rust or flaking paint

Size & space

At least 60 W x 45 D x 60 H cm. Bar spacing 2 cm or less so the head cannot pass through

Layout

• Several natural-wood perches of different thicknesses at different heights
• Place food and water dishes where droppings from perches cannot fall in
• Chewable toys in the upper part; leave open floor space for play

Placement notes

• Keep away from the kitchen (fumes from nonstick cookware are lethal)
• A bright room where the bird can see the family. Avoid windowsills and air-conditioner drafts

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Out-of-cage time 1–2 hours a day. Cover windows and mirrors and close doors and drawers first
• It plays on its back on the floor; warn the family and watch your feet when walking
• Never leave it unattended; put away small objects, batteries and houseplants

Temperature & humidity

Temperature22–28°C. Avoid 15°C or below and sudden cold snaps

Humidity50–60%. Use a humidifier or misting in dry seasons

Summer & winter

• Summer: avoid direct sun; keep below 28°C with air conditioning. Bathing helps regulate body temperature
• Winter: pet heater plus a thermometer; cover the cage at night to hold warmth

Nail trimming

Natural-wood perches wear them down naturally. If overgrown, trim a little at a time short of the quick. Have the vet do it if unsure

Brushing, skin & coat care

No brushing needed. Keep feathers clean with a bath or misting 2–3 times a week. During molt, distinguish normal shedding from plucking

Other care

See a vet for an overgrown or chipped beak. Check daily for blocked nostrils or dirt around them. Keep warm after bathing

Protection from predators

• Do not let the bird out in a room with dogs or cats. Cat saliva is lethal
• Never take it onto the balcony or outdoors. Crows and birds of prey target it
• Keep screens closed so mosquitoes and flies cannot get in

Foreign-body ingestion

Very curious; chews and swallows batteries, metal, beads and thread. Clear floors and desks before letting it out. Lethargy or green-black droppings suggest metal poisoning: see a vet immediately

Being stepped on

It lies on its back on the floor and burrows under cloth. While it is out, check where it is before walking or sitting, and warn everyone in the family

Getting pinched

It gets into the hinge side of doors and the gaps in sofas. Fix doors in place while it is out and keep it out of gaps in sofas, beds and drawers

Falls

It slips and falls while playing on its back outside the cage. Lay a towel on the floor and make high perches stable. If one wing droops after a fall, see a vet the same day

Escape

A strong flier; once out it flies far. Close windows and warn the family before letting it out. If it escapes, put the cage and favorite food outside, search by following its calls, and contact the police and rescue groups

Safe release procedure

1. Freeze, relax the bitten hand and stay quiet
2. With your other hand, gently press down on the upper beak to open the mouth
3. The moment the beak opens, withdraw your hand and calmly return the bird to its cage
4. Give it some space, then review the cause of biting (hormones, fear, overexcitement)

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and disinfect. See a doctor for deep wounds, swelling or fever. If biting continues, consult an avian vet

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Tell the vet the type and amount of staple food, photos of droppings, weight trend, time of last meal, bring the actual object chewed, and whether there are signs of hormonal behavior

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Breathing: watch the chest and tail movement and look for open-mouth breathing
• Heartbeat: place a finger on the chest and feel for very rapid vibration
• Consciousness: call its name, touch the beak or feet and watch for a response

Stopping bleeding

• Press the area with clean gauze for several minutes
• For nail, beak or feather-shaft bleeding, press on styptic powder or cornstarch
• If it does not stop or the bird is weakening, keep pressing and transport

Transport

• Line a small carrier or box with a towel and warm it with a hand warmer
• Dark, quiet, no jolting; bring a small amount of its usual food