Fun Brown-throated Conure Facts For Kids

The brown-throated conure is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. The bird species is known by many names such as St. Thomas conure and brown-throated parakeet.

The species is also known by two different scientific names, Eupsittula pertinax and Aratinga pertinax.

There are 14 known subspecies of brown-throated conures and all of these are divided into different categories with the criteria of different shades of yellow on the head, and brown on the throat and upper breast.

These parakeets are said to be endemic to South America which includes Aruba, Barbados, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Panama, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The brown-throated parakeet (Aratinga pertinax) can be identified easily by its green upper parts and pale yellow-colored belly. The bird has a long pointed tail.

Although it is not easy to distinguish when in flight, brown-throated conures have distinctive brown cheeks and a brown upper breast. These birds can easily be seen in a small flock in the wild and rarely seen alone.

They remain inconspicuous and feed on fruits in gardens, second growth, and forest edges. The parrots have a very calm behavior trait and are very fun and loving to be with.

They are full of energy and will often show new tricks and a range of entertainment. Green parakeets are very affectionate and due to this behavior trait, they are easily one of the best pets to keep.

These green parrots are often found nesting in an arboreal termitarium in the wild. In captivity too, females of these parakeets require a good nesting area and good nesting materials.

The usual diet includes seeds, fruits, and insects. If kept in captivity, these parakeets can also be fed dark leafy greens for a healthier diet. The average lifespan in captivity is 25 years.

For more relatable content, check out these monk parakeet facts and yellow parakeet facts.

Brown-Throated Conure Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a brown-throated conure?

Brown-throated conures, also known by the name brown-throated parakeet, is a species of parrot found across northern South America. The bird is native to northern Colombia and northern Venezuela.

What class of animal does a brown-throated conure belong to?

Brown-throated conures (Aratinga pertinax) are part of the genus Eupsittula in the family Psittacidae, which falls under the class of Aves in the kingdom of Animalia.

How many brown-throated conures are there in the world?

The population of brown-throated conures is not known. Aratinga pertinax birds are found abundant in all of their habitats and there is no cause for concern currently for this species.

This bird is found abundant in Panama and in llanos in Colombia, Guyana, North Surinam, and all the Netherlands Antilles islands. Northwest Venezuela also has a big population of these brown-throated conures.

Some populations of the species have been found to be affected by habitat loss, effects of climate, and the pet trade.

Where does a brown-throated conure live?

The brown-throated parakeet (Aratinga pertinax) is found in northern South America. This range is however restricted to the northern part of the Amazon River for the species.

Populations of this species are found in Aruba, Brazil, Barbados, Costa Rica, Colombia, Dominica, French Guiana, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Venezuela, Guyana, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and Suriname. A very popular cage pet, this species of parrots in the genus Eupsittula is also abundant in northern Venezuela. All subspecies are properly distributed in the range of wild natural habitats.

Some populations of green parrots found in Panama and Costa Rica of southern Central America are sometimes considered a different species of birds called the Veraguas parakeet.

What is a brown-throated conure's habitat?

Brown-throated conures are found in semi-open dry scrub and savannas. These dry scrubs include cacti and acacia.

However, the habitat of these parrots also includes mangrove woodlands, gallery and white-sand forests, tropical deciduous forests, humid evergreen forest edges, and agricultural areas with palm trees. All parrots are seen in tropical deciduous forests. This parrot, brown-throated conure, is also seen in gardens and parks.

Abundant in the world, these green birds are seen from lowlands to an elevation up to 3937 ft (1200 m). The loud calls of this parrot species can be easily heard in their natural habitats.

Who do brown-throated conures live with?

Brown-throated conures are very social birds. They always remain in small groups traveling and feeding throughout the day. Breeding colonies of up to seven pairs are also formed sometimes. While in flight, the parrot groups are known to maintain tight formation and make loud erratic calls. They even roost together.

How long does a brown-throated conure live?

The lifespan of this green parrot is known to be around 10 years in the wild. However, the St. Thomas conure is a very famous pet in a cage all over the world and the bird is known to have a lifespan of around 25 years. It is a long-lived bird species found in many parts of the world.

How do they reproduce?

This species is known to be monogamous. The breeding season is usually after the rainy season from February to April. Future mates are found when flocks of the parrots roost together.

While choosing a mate during the breeding season, loud contact calls are also made. The breeding season of these green birds is sometimes even seen until the month of September. They may even breed several times a year if the conditions are met.

Up to seven pairs have been seen as these birds are known to be colonial breeders. The nest is usually very simple and the nest is in tree cavities or termite mounds.

At times, a man-made nest is used. The nest is made without any vegetation linings and a clutch of two to seven eggs is laid on the cavity floor.

Female birds are known to incubate the eggs for around 36 days and the chicks fledge in 50 days after hatching. Chicks are known to join the parents and form a group until the next batch of eggs is laid.

Both parents help to care for and feed food to the chicks. Males even bring food for the chicks after fledging.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of brown-throated conures (Aratinga pertinax) or the St. Thomas conure is categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List. There is no threat currently for this green bird species.

It is, however, sometimes affected by the pet trade as it is a very popular pet nowadays. Also, some species have had problems with climate change and the loss of habitats. However, these have not affected the population enough to change the status of the brown-throated conure.

Brown-Throated Conure Fun Facts

What do brown-throated conures look like?

The brown-throated parakeet (Aratinga pertinax) is a green conure with different variations. The subspecies of brown-throated conures are distributed across a wide range of wild habitats and are able to be differentiated by the coloration on the yellow color of the head and pale olive/brown on the throat, cheeks, and upper breast.

The adults of the birds are all green in color but have pale coloration underneath where more yellow coloration is seen. A small narrow eye ring is seen which is white in color, and sometimes even a black coloration is seen. A larger yellow ring of feathers is also seen around the eyes.

The forehead, face, and chin are colored orange-yellow. The crown and the upper breast area are colored brownish-green.

There is blue tipping on the green flight feathers and tail. The legs are gray in color and the beak is dark gray or black in color. The iris is yellow in color.

Males are larger in size than females. Juveniles are not that yellow in color which is seen in the adult species. A dark greenish-blue fore-crown is seen. The breast and throat are colored greenish-olive. The belly is colored green with some hints of orange and yellow.

How cute are they?

Parrots are generally considered very cute because of their calm and friendly demeanor and beautiful plumage. They are also fun-loving and are great pets for enthusiasts.

How do they communicate?

The call of the brown-throated conure is a wild 'can-can-can' sound. This call is accompanied by a sharp shrieking. The bird communicates mostly via sound and has different calls for different situations. The bird makes a 'crik-crik-crak-crak' sound while flying and while roosting 'cheer-cheedit' sound. Sounds are also made while mating and for warning against predators.

How big is a brown-throated conure?

The brown-throated parakeet (Eupsittula pertinax) is up to 9.84 in (25 cm) long.

How fast can a brown-throated conure fly?

The flight speed is not known. Parrots usually can fly at a speed of 81-200 mph (130.3-321.8 kph).

How much does a brown-throated conure weigh?

The weight of the bird is 0.16-0.22 lb (72.5-99.7 g).

What are the male and female names of the species?

Males and females of this species are not given different names.

What would you call a baby brown-throated conure?

Babies are called chicks.

What do they eat?

Aratinga pertinax is known to diet on seeds, fruits, nuts, blossoms, and insects. The bird is known to eat their food during the daytime in groups. The seeds of Cassia and Acacia trees and the fruit of Mangifera plants constitute the main diet. However, the diet also extends to other flowers.

Not many predators of this brown-throated parakeet (Aratinga pertinax) are known. The bird may be eaten by feral house cats, burrowing owls, tropical screech owls, barn owls, red-tailed hawks, and snakes.

Are they dangerous?

Aratinga pertinax is not considered dangerous. The bird even helps in crop dispersal.

Would they make a good pet?

Seeing the calm behavior, the brown-throated conure is considered a pet by many. The bird is either kept in a cage or open rooms when trained. It is a very affectionate species and loved by all.

Did you know...

Aratinga pertinax and all the subspecies have the ability to talk. They are known to be intelligent.

Conures are rarely caught and due to their high intelligence and beautiful plumage, they are expensive.

Conures are affectionate and fun-loving, however, they need proper training.

The species is known to be endemic to northern South America and they are non-migratory.

What is the rarest conure?

The yellow-eared conure of Columbia and Ecuador is considered the rarest conure.

Which conure is the best talker?

Patagonian conures, blue crowned conures, and red masked conures are known to be the best talkers, depending on the time training takes and the friendliness of the birds.  

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these belted kingfisher facts and hooded Merganser facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable brown throated conure coloring pages.