The Jenday Conure is a small, South American parrot. They are intelligent, affectionate birds that can make great pets for owners who have the time to give them the attention they need. These qualities, along with their beautiful coloration, make them one of the more popular medium-sized conures among parrot lovers. As with most conures, you get a big parrot’s personality in a small parrot’s body.
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Overview Of The Jenday Conure
The Jenday Conure’s scientific name is Aratinga jandaya, and there are no subspecies of this parrot. It is also commonly known as the Jendaya Conure, Jandaya Conure, Yellow-headed Conure or Parakeet and Flaming Parakeet.
The Jenday is a small companion parrot that is native to deciduous woodlands in Brazil. According to parrots.org, in the wild, they are found in flocks of about a dozen birds. They nest in tree cavities that are at least 50 feet (15 m) above ground and are known to fly long distances in search of suitable habitat.
These birds are about 11.7 inches (30 cm) in length and weigh between 4.3 to 4.9 ounces (125-140 grams). The females tend to be a little heavier than the males, but this is the only distinguishing difference between the sexes. Accurate sexing of these birds should be done using DNA testing.
Jendays are mostly green with a yellow head and neck washed with orange. Their wings have some red highlights Juveniles have green heads as well and do not develop their full colors until about one year of age. They have black bills, bare grey or white eye rings, and brown eyes.
Jenday Conures Appearance and Vocalization
These conures are fairly loud, with a screeching call that can be disturbing to those sensitive to sound. While they are very intelligent, they are not known as great talkers. Some may learn a few words, but in general, you shouldn’t expect your Jenday to talk.
Jendays are very lovable and affectionate birds. They love to climb inside their owner’s shirt, according to parrotsecrets.com, and will often stay there until removed.
How Will My Jenday Conure Act?
These parrots are very active and demand a lot of exercise. This can be partially accomplished by providing a roomy cage with plenty of toys that they can chew and opportunities to climb. They will also definitely appreciate a nice swing and may spend a considerable amount of time on it.
Jendays are very intelligent and so also need mental stimulation through interesting toys and human interaction. Watch this video below demonstrating what can happen when your conure figures out how to open its cage. At this point, a lock is the only thing that will keep this bird in its cage.
One critical aspect of caring for a Jenday Conure is your willingness to give it plenty of attention, including extended time daily when it can come out of its cage. A play stand is recommended to offer more play and exercise options when your bird is out. This will take care of the physical exercise that your bird requires.
Jendays enjoy socializing with multiple family members, though they can single out a particular individual as their person. In these cases, they can be very possessive and defensive when that person is in sight, but otherwise still be friendly and enjoy being handled by the rest of the family. They are very tolerant of the quick movements of children, so can be a good choice for a family pet. They are not prone to excessive biting but do have a powerful beak, so take caution if you have very small children.
If you plan on getting an avian friend for your Jenday, the best bet is another Jenday or a similarly sized conure such as a Sun Conure or Gold-Caped Conure. Always start with a separate cage for the newcomer. In time you may be able to house them together if they are compatible. It is best not to try and interbreed different conure species.
These intelligent birds can be trained to do tricks, as the video above demonstrates. Training should be started at a young age, and positive reinforcement with treats and praise works best. Be careful not to let your parrot get the wrong idea by your reaction to certain behaviors. For example, if your parrot nips you, don’t necessarily put it in its cage in a ‘time out’ manner, as described on the birdsnways.com site. This may teach the bird to nip when it is tired and wants to go back inside, and will be a hard habit to break. Instead, use a gentle and firm ‘No’ when they demonstrate bad behavior.
How Should I Care For My Jenday Conure?
Your Jenday will do best at a temperature of between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. You should provide the largest cage you can, with the minimum size being 24x24x30 inches with 1/2 inch bar spacing. A spacious cage will assist you in providing adequate exercise for your bird and help it remain healthy. Some rough or cement perches high in the cage may well negate the need to clip your bird’s nails.
Jendays will thrive on a balanced diet that consists of pellets and seeds, supplemented by fresh fruits and vegetables. Favorite fresh foods include kiwi, apples, carrots, and broccoli.
These birds can molt 2 to 4 times a year and may become somewhat itchy during the process. You can help them get through this period by providing regular baths and misting them with a spray bottle. They love to bathe at any time of the year. Here is a video showing one doing just that.
Jenday Conures are legal to breed in most areas, but you should check your local laws. For example, in the United States, it is illegal to own one in New Jersey. They are relatively easy to breed at any time of the year, but you should avoid very warm months as the babies will have a hard time surviving extreme heat. They usually lay between 2-4 white eggs and are known as good parents.
How Healthy Are Jenday Conures?
In captivity, these birds can live up to 20 years with proper care. Some of the more common ailments of Jendays are Chlamydiosis, Polyoma Virus, and diarrhea. They can also be prone to feather plucking which is usually a sign of other issues related to their care. If you suspect your parrot is ill take it to an avian vet for an examination.
How Much Do Jenday Conures Cost?
Buying a Jenday will cost you on average around $600. You need to be prepared to buy a suitable cage, and their propensity for chewing toys means regular replacements will be required. You should budget for plenty of fresh food for these birds if you want them to remain healthy and live nice long lives.
Should I Get A Jenday Conure?
Jendays make great pets for individuals and families. These beautiful, affectionate and active birds do demand your attention and daily handling. If you can provide for their needs, they are an excellent choice when adding an avian companion to your household.
