Dusky headed Conure
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. dusky headed conure
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  • Scientific Name: Aratinga weddellii
  • Common Name/s: DUSKY HEADED CONURE, WEDDELL'S CONURE.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin:  No
  • Origin / Distribution:  Parts of Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Brazil, South America.
  • Habitat In Wild:  Forests and surrounding secondary vegetation. Will forge in plantations.
  • Status In Wild:  Currently secure
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Rare
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  About 12 months
  • Adult plumage: attained at about ? months  
  • Best breeding years (estimate):  2nd year onwards
  • Lifespan (estimate):  approx. 20 or more years
  • Sexing:  Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Mutations:  ?
  • Availability:  Specialist breeders
  • Temperament:  Can be a noisy bird, however they are generally quieter than most of the Aratinga conures.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $Lots
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx. 280 - 300 mm (or approx 11 - 12 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo/s above if available.
  3. Weight: Approx 110 - 130 gms (or approx 4 ozs)

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Conures " web page for general details on the housing of Conures or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Best housed as one pair per aviary.  Does not require a large aviary.  A 3 metre ( 10 feet) long aviary is adequate.

Conures are best housed as one pair per cage or aviary and it is generally unwise to have any other birds in the same aviary.  They may kill any bird they do not like.
Leafy branches can be placed in the aviary or cage for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly.  Check with local aviculturalists or an avian veterinarian to ascertain which shrub/tree species are non toxic and safe to give to the birds.

Diet / Feeding:  Refer to " Conures " web page for general details on the feeding of Conures or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Natural diet include seeds, fruits, berries, nuts and insect larvae.

Nesting:  A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.  If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

  • Nesting months:
  • Log / Nest-box:
    • Length / depth  500 mm (or approx 20 inches)
    • Log internal diameter approx. 250 mm. (or approx. 10 inches)
    • Nest-box internal dimensions approx 250 mm square (or approx. 10 inches square)
    • Diameter of entrance hole approx. 60 mm (or approx. 2.5 inches)
    • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 mm (or approx  4 inches)
    • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
    • Location and height of log / nest-box = in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about 1.5 - 1.8 metres height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months
    • Angle of log or nest box = 45 degrees through to vertical.  Most boxes are vertical.
  • Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
  • Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening about 100mm (about 4 inches) from the top. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year  2, sometimes 3.  Eggs per nest  3 - 5.  Incubation approx. 23 - 25 days.  Fledge approx  7 - 8  weeks.  Independent approx. another  2 - 4 weeks.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues:  Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture

  • A/A Vol 59 No. 9 Sept 2005 Page 203-204.
  • Australian Birdkeeper

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