Information
The Crimson Bellied Conure, which also goes by the name of the Crimson Bellied Parakeet, is a parrot from the Pyrrhura genus and part of the larger Psittacidae family. They are originally from the southern part of the Amazon rainforest, encompassing parts of Brazil and Bolivia. Their native habitat is made up of dense, humid, lowland rainforest. You can expect this bird to grow to around 25 centimeters and weigh around 90 grams. It can be hard to tell the difference between the genders of these birds and so DNA testing may be required.
Facts
| Names | Crimson Bellied Conure, Crimson Bellied Parakeet |
| Scientific name | Pyrrhura perlata |
| Colors | Red, green, grey, blue |
| Size | Around 25 cm (10 inches) |
| Weight | Approximately 90 grams (3.2 oz) |
| Lifespan | 15 years |
| Price | $500 to $1000 |
| Conservation Status (IUCN) | Vulnerable |
| Distribution | Northern Bolivia, Southern Amazon |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforest, other types of forest, forest edges |
| Food | Forest fruits, seeds, flowers |
| Personality | Quiet, friendly, inquisitive, relaxed |
| Intelligence | Medium |
| Noise levels | Medium to low |
| Talking ability | Low |
Behaviors
Like other animals of the Pyrrhura genus, these birds are energetic, playful and social. So their owners need to give them a fair amount of attention. What’s special about this particular species of bird is that they tend to be a bit more relaxed and gentle compared with other Pyrrhura. Because they are such social creatures it is recommended that you have a pair of these birds and are a person that can spend a large amount of time with these birds, especially taking them out of the cage.
Their playful nature means they like to hop around and hang upside down in their cages and in particular, they like playing with bells. Their beaks are much less powerful than that of a Macaw but these birds are still known to like nipping things. Below you can see one that has been trained to do a few tricks:
Care
Your Crimson Conures will need a lot of attention and out-of-cage time so ensure you can provide this each day (like one would always walk the dog each day). Keep these birds in a warm environment that is similar to what they would have in the wild (around 25 degrees celsius).
They are likely to eat a fruit-based diet in the wild but when looking after them at home you should provide them with conure foods specifically designed for these birds (see here). They should also be kept in the appropriately sized cage, see our (full guide here) for details. Inside of the cage you should include multiple perches, toys, and objects for them to forage and play with. A bathing area and nestbox are extra additions you might also want to consider. You should also think about getting a secondary travel cage for transporting your Crimson Bellies around.
Whilst Crimson Bellied Conures make good pets, their need for attention means that to properly look after one they can be quite demanding. Ensure they have a lot of toys in their environment to keep them entertained. Since they are so social we recommend this bird is looked after in a pair or flock of birds.
Supplies
Colors
These birds have a range of colors going across their plumage. As their name suggests, their lower chest feathers contain a large amount of crimson (or red) colored feathers. The upper parts of their chest and shoulders are made up of grey colored feathers and green and blue colored wings. Their tails then continue this blue/green color but end it off with a brownish colored tail. Also, the cheeks and necks of these birds are blueish-green and above their face, you’re likely to see more blue, green or red feathers.
Sounds
In terms of sounds, they generally have high-pitched calls that are quite squeaky to hear. As they are flock animals these birds like to make contact calls if you are not near them, this is their behavior of checking to see if the flock is nearby. Whilst the bird can be trained to talk and say a few words, it is more likely to just mimic sounds, such as whistles, and so it is not a great talker. You can hear different noises from these birds sounds in the links below:
Calls
Flight Calls
Singing
Noises
Lifespan
On average you can expect a Crimson Bellied Conure to live around 15 years of age, but with quality care it is possible for them to live a bit longer.
Prices
The price range for a Crimson Bellied Conure is $500 to $1000, with the average being about $750. These prices will be much lower in South American countries where the bird is native to. Age, health, feather markings will all affect the price of the bird.
As this bird is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Conversation status we highly recommend only getting these birds from registered breeders and legitimate bird organizations.
In addition to the price of the bird, you also need to consider the prices for the cages, ongoing food supplies, toys, and health insurance costs.
Breeding
When these birds breed they normally lay around 5 eggs in their clutch and will incubate these eggs for 25 days until hatching. These birds will then fledge after 8 weeks of growth. In their native environment, this breeding season is from August to November.
Diseases
As with other conure species, you should watch out for Psittacosis or Parrot Fever which these birds can be susceptible to. If your bird looks weak, dizzy and is dropping its wings then take it to the vet immediately. Get bird pet insurance to make sure you are covered for these costs.
As Pets
Many bird owners that have looked after Crimson Bellied Conures have reported positive experiences due to their fun, playful and gentle nature. They can make a good pet bird if you can dedicate the energy and resources to proper care. Just ensure you are getting the bird from a legitimate source and registered breeder.
