Turquoise green cheek conure green cheek conures, a member of the pyrrhura subspecies of conures, are often referred to as the quiet conures, especially when compared to their louder counterparts, like Sun Conures. These delightful birds are known for their affectionate and playful nature, making them excellent companions for both adults and children. Green Cheek Conures are not only comical and cute, but they also exhibit fun behaviors such as hanging upside down from their cages, dancing, playing on their backs, and sometimes even hiding under the paper at the bottom of their cages if there’s no grate.
Perfect for apartment living, Green Cheek Conures have relatively quiet, gravelly voices, making them suitable for close-quarters living. While they may not be prolific talkers, they often manage to learn a word or two. These birds are just as content playing alone as they are spending time with their human families. To keep them entertained and prevent boredom, it’s important to provide a variety of toys, including foot toys, foraging toys, and chew toys.
Distinguished by the white rings around their eyes, Green Cheek Conures come in several color mutations, each adding to their charm and appeal.
What is a color mutation ?
For this article, I will use the Green-cheeked Conure as an example, but the discussion about color mutations can be applied to other species as well. While I’ll keep the explanation somewhat simple, there’s a wealth of detailed information available for those interested in diving deeper.
A mutation occurs when there is a change in the DNA sequence of a cell. These changes can lead to traits that differ from what we typically see in a species’ wild population. A color mutation specifically affects how an animal’s colors develop. In their natural habitat in South America, Green-cheeked Conures exhibit their typical green plumage, an adaptation evolved to fit their environment. However, at your local pet store, you might encounter Conures in a variety of colors such as yellow and red, turquoise, and more.
Color mutations can occur spontaneously, though this is rare, or through deliberate breeding in captivity. The latter method has resulted in the wide variety of colors seen in domestic parrots like Conures, Budgies, and Cockatiels. By carefully selecting which birds to breed and having a detailed understanding of their genetic lineage, breeders can predict and aim for specific color outcomes—a process known as selective breeding.
While color mutations can naturally occur at a low rate, creating a rarity that can make these birds more valuable, there is a significant incentive for breeders to produce these unique colors for the pet market.
When I first considered getting a Green-cheeked Conure, I did what most people do: I read everything I could find about what to expect and what supplies I would need. I didn’t anticipate diving into a maze of misinformation and outdated advice from poorly researched articles and so-called “experts” on social media. Amid this confusion, I remember stumbling upon an article listing the top five types of Conures to have as pets, based on personality. The article bizarrely separated “Pineapple Conure” and “Turquoise Conure” as distinct types. These are actually just different color mutations of the Green-cheeked Conure, not different species. However, the article incorrectly described them as having unique temperaments and social needs turquoise green cheek conure.
So, where does this confusion come from? First, we need to understand what a color mutation is.
How are color mutations selectively bred ?
By understanding the genetic makeup of the parent birds, breeders can select and breed birds to achieve desired traits. Genes can be recessive, dominant, or even sex-linked. Dominant genes tend to overshadow recessive ones, meaning the trait associated with a dominant gene is more likely to be expressed. Only one dominant gene from one parent is needed for this to occur. In contrast, to express a recessive trait, an individual must inherit one copy of the recessive gene from each parent, so both parents must carry that gene. Sex-linked genes are linked to the sex of the carrier, meaning their expression can depend on whether the bird is male or female.
One popular color mutation among Green-cheeked Conure enthusiasts is the turquoise mutation, characterized by a beautiful mix of turquoise and bluish-green feathers. To breed a turquoise Green-cheeked Conure, we need to understand some important genetic principles. The turquoise gene is recessive, so to produce a turquoise offspring, both parents must carry the recessive gene. This means that each parent must have one copy of the turquoise gene to pass on to their offspring. Somewhere in the lineage, the turquoise mutation appeared, and breeders, aiming to produce more turquoise Conures, selectively bred birds carrying this gene.
It’s crucial to note that just because a Conure doesn’t visibly exhibit a trait doesn’t mean it doesn’t carry the gene for it. Therefore, knowing the genetic background of the birds being bred is essential.
While the color of a Conure or other parrot species can vary, a color mutation does not change the species. Pineapple, yellow-sided, turquoise, and others are all Green-cheeked Conures. If you’re uncertain, focus on identifying the species of the bird rather than its color turquoise green cheek conure.
Do color mutations affect parrot personality and needs ?
As we discussed, regardless of its color, a Green-cheeked Conure remains a Green-cheeked Conure. This principle applies to Budgies, Cockatiels, and other parrots as well. A color mutation does not inherently affect a bird’s temperament or change its behavior. To suggest otherwise would be like claiming that a human with freckles is naturally a better singer than someone without freckles. Choosing a pet parrot with specific color mutations should be viewed purely as an aesthetic choice.
What truly affects a bird’s personality and needs is the combination of genes it inherits that influence behavior, its upbringing, the choices made about its care as it grows, and its environment. This blend of factors determines a bird’s personality. Ultimately, every parrot is unique and should be treated as an individual, not judged by their color mutation or physical traits.
Green Cheek Conure Price
The average price for a Green-cheeked Conure is around $375, but you can find them for as low as $250 or as high as $500. The price tends to increase for more exotic color mutations like Yellow-sided and Pineapple Conures.
Another factor influencing the price is the bird’s age. For instance, an adult Green-cheek Conure will generally cost less than one that has just been weaned. Newly weaned birds are often more expensive due to their potential for longer companionship and easier bonding turquoise green cheek conure.
It’s also important to consider that the price of the bird itself excludes the additional expenses for its cage and toys, which can also run several hundred dollars. Investing in a suitable cage and a variety of engaging toys is essential for the bird’s well-being and happiness.
