Black Capped Conure vs Green Cheek Conure: 5 Tips To Help You Choose
I have always loved birds. However, parrots take my breath away. Initially, I didn’t know there were so many species. So, when my daughter decided she wanted a pet, specifically a bird, I had to do my research.
The next best step was to start visiting pet stores. We were introduced to conures in our quest for the best bird. There were so many types of conures that I had to sit down and go through the list of names and characteristics.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The only parrots I knew before were the larger kind. The feisty ones that talk back. So, this was a pleasant surprise.
Conures are a joy to care for. They are not too demanding and only need a proper diet and quality time. Throughout the selection process, I gained a lot of information, which I think is good to share. Anyone looking to get conures for themselves or a friend can use these tips.
Black Capped Conures Vs. Green Cheek: Are They Good Conures?
Birds are beautiful animals. I didn’t think twice when my daughter asked me to get her a bird (it’s much better than a lizard). While at one particular pet store, the attendant gave us a walk-through of how to care for conures.
We settled on the black capped conure and the green cheek. Therefore, every detail we got henceforth was about these two beautiful birds.
The differences are not too many, but it’s essential to note the nitty gritty details. Still, the biggest question is, are black capped conures and green cheeks good birds?
My answer to that is an unwavering yes. First off, black capped and green cheek conures are beautiful. They are also loving creatures that are not hard to take care of. In addition, both have a lifespan of 30 years (with the best care, of course). Now that’s enough time to spoil your bird.
I know how the search for a good pet can get overwhelming. That’s why I would advise that you look into less common animals, like birds. Conures, in particular, come in different features, colors, and sizes. Even their personalities differ (not so much, though).
Before I spiral out of control about how unique conures are, it’s essential to know about the species.
Black Capped Conures and Green Cheek: Species Information
Conures are small to medium-sized birds. They originate from South America but spread to other parts of the world with time.
The most popular features of conures are their strong beaks and long tails. Above that, conures are very intelligent and social birds.
Depending on the conure species, teaching your pet bird a few words is possible. They also have beautiful colors and are incredibly playful. Unfortunately, due to increased domestication, conures are an endangered species.
The Perks of Keeping Black Capped Conures and Green Cheek
The benefits of keeping these two bird species go beyond their physical appearance. Yes, black capped conures and green cheeks are very attractive. Still, there are a lot more features that stand out. They include:
Good Size
Green cheek and black capped conures are a perfect size. They are not too big or too small. They don’t go beyond ten inches in length. With that said, these conures still need adequate space to fly around and be happy.
Perfect Personality and Behavior
Conures, in general, are playful, cuddly, and pleasant birds. At times, they can get loud, but that’s just momentous. Conures are not shy. In fact, they are bold and curious birds. Their outgoing personality makes them great companions.
However, black capped and green cheek conures are quieter than most conures. Yes, they’re loud, but not as loud as others in their species.
Easy Maintenance
Other pets might be hard to take care of. However, that’s not the case with conures. A good diet and a clean habitat plus a few hours of play will make your conures the happiest birds you’ve ever seen.
Differences Between Black Capped Conures and Green Cheek
Green cheek and black capped conures are very similar. Nonetheless, some features stand out for each species as follows:
Appearance
Black capped conures are mostly green. However, they have a black-brown cap and a whitish pattern on their necks and breasts. In addition, black capped conures have touches of red on the upper wing edge. On their abdomens, black capped conures have bluish markings. Females and males are identical.
Female and male green-cheeked conures are also similar in color. Apart from that, they have bright red feathers on the tails and chest. Their backs and top of the wings are bright green. They are popularly known as green cheeks because of their olive-green patches on the cheeks.
Care and Maintenance
Black capped conures can get out of hand if they don’t get a few hours of activity and play every day. On the other hand, green cheeks are less rowdy, especially when let out of their cages. Still, both birds need care and attention from their families.
Diet
In the wild, green cheeked conures eat the following:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Seeds
- Insects
In captivity, try feeding them the same diet. Ensure your black capped conures get enough fruits and vegetables with a supplement of high-quality pellets.
Black capped conures also feed on similar things as green cheeked conures with the addition of berries. Also, provide pellets to supplement the diet.
How Much Do Black Capped Conures and Green Cheek Cost?
Green cheek and black capped conures are beautiful birds, and their features are simply outstanding. Due to these reasons, expect to pay a lot more than you would for other pets.
Black capped conures cost between $400 to $600. On the other hand, green cheeked conures are more affordable at $149 to $350 for one.
It might seem like a lot of money, but conures are exotic birds. Worse still, it’s not as easy to find conures in pet stores as it was a few years ago.
Trust me. I was just as shocked to hear the price. However, it’s been five years since my daughter and I got the green cheek conure, and we don’t regret it. We plan on going to get another very soon.
The Bottom Line
It’s challenging to choose a pet, mostly because all animals are lovable. However, I hope the details about black capped and green cheeked conures shed some light on what to choose. Both are beautiful and social creatures. But above all that, they have wonderful personalities.
Resources
5 Reasons Conures Make Great Family Pets
Green-Cheeked Conure (Green-Cheeked Parakeet): Bird Species Profile