Scientific Classification

Common Name

sun conure

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Psittacidae

Genus Species

Aratinga (bright and macaw-like) solstitialis (sun)

Fast Facts

Description

Sun conures have golden feathers with green wing tips. Their lower beak is tinged with red. Younger birds appear more olive green.

Size

30 cm (19.6 in.)

Weight

240 g (8.4 oz.)

Diet

Seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables

Incubation

Approximately 23 days;

Clutch Size

4 to 5 eggs

Sexual Maturity

Capable of breeding within 2 years, although early clutches may not be fertile

Life Span

30 to 35 years

Range

Sun conures have a very restricted range and can be found in north eastern Brazil and Guyana

Habitat

This species is restricted to dry, semi-deciduous forests. Sun conure may utilize forest edge habitat but appear to require a large quantity of intact forest.

Population

Scientists believe that there may be fewer than 1,000 individuals in Brazil. The total population probably now numbers no more than a couple of thousand individuals at the very most, but probably fewer, with at least 90% of these in Brazil, within a restricted, decreasing, and fragmented range. One known flock in southern Guyana is reported to number up to 200 individuals, with other recent records from Roraima, suggesting that the total population numbers fewer than 2,500 mature individuals. The population is decreasing but is not severely fragmented.

Status 

IUCN: Endangered
CITES: Appendix II, although Sun Conure numbers appear to be stable.
USFWS: No data

Fun Facts

Sun conures have a restricted range and very little is known about this bird.

These birds are not highly social but pairs and small groups may be seen feeding in the treetops together.

Sun conures have a tendency to spend long periods of time in their nest, even after breeding season.

Ecology and Conservation

Due to high demand in the pet trade this once-common species has declined dramatically during the last twenty years. It has been heavily exported from Guyana during this time, leading to its virtual extirpation from that country. 

Sun conures are very common in captivity, but it is not known what percentage of this population are hybrids between Aratinga solstitialis and Aratinga maculata.

Bibliography

Austin, G. 1961. Birds of the World. Golden Press, Inc., New York.

Forshaw, J.M. 1977. Parrots of the World. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune City.

Gotch, A.F. 1981. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. Blandford Books Ltd., UK.

Helmut, Sick. 1993. Birds of Brazil. Princeton University Press, New York.

birdtimes.com/breeds/suncon.shtml

BirdLife International. 2016. Aratinga solstitialis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T62233372A95192947. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T62233372A95192947.en. Downloaded on 27 November 2018.