Sun Conure Care Guide 2025 🦜 | Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

Sun conures (Aratinga solstitialis) are vibrant, engaging parrots with sunny plumage and big personalities. In this expert 2025 guide, I’ll walk you through all aspects of their care—from chickhood to full maturity, with guidance rooted in veterinary science and years of clinical experience. Let’s help your feathered sunshine thrive! 😊

1. 🌞 Species Overview & Temperament

Sun conures are native to northeastern South America and typically measure 10–13″ long with colorful yellow, orange, green, and blue feathers :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. They’re social, affectionate, playful—and loud! Their shrill, repetitive calls are a form of communication and can signal passion or boredom :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

They reach olive-green juvenile plumage and don full yellows and oranges by around two years old. Males and females look very similar; males often have squarer heads and brighter feathers—but DNA testing is best for accurate sexing :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.

2. Lifespan & Commitment

With proper care, sun conures can live 20 years or more :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}. They're a long-term companion, so it’s vital to plan for several decades of responsibility and care.

3. Housing & Environment 🏠

3.1 Cage Essentials

• Minimum cage size: at least 30″ × 30″ × 36″ so they can spread their wings and move freely :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
• Bar spacing: ≤ ¾″ to prevent escape or injury. Stainless steel cages are highly recommended; avoid wood or galvanized materials that can be toxic :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Place cage in a well-lit, central area at comfortable room temperature (65–80 °F), avoiding drafts, fumes, or kitchen smoke :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.

3.2 Bedding, Lighting & Perches

• Use a grate at the base and liners (bird-safe paper) to keep the space clean and reduce dust :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• Provide a full‑spectrum UV light for 10–12 hours daily or safe outdoor time (never unattended in direct sun) :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Offer perches of different materials and diameters (~½″) like wood, concrete, and rope. Avoid sandpaper or gravel perches, which can cause foot sores :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

3.3 Toys & Enrichment

• Include a variety of foraging toys, chewable wooden blocks, ropes, and swings to stimulate their smart, active minds :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Avoid fabric/hanging toys with threads—they can entangle and harm birds :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• Change toys regularly to maintain interest and mental engagement.

4. Nutrition & Diet 🍽️

• Base their diet on high-quality, pelleted conure food—at least 60–70% of daily intake :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• Add 20–30% fresh veggies and fruits, such as carrots, leafy greens, apples, berries—avoid avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onions, salt, or sugar :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.
• Offer millet spray or seeds as treats, making up ≤ 10% of their diet :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• Ensure fresh water daily and maintain clean dishes to avoid bacterial growth :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.

5. Grooming & Hygiene ✂️

• Provide a shallow bath or misting 2–3 times per week—water should be fresh and at room temperature :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• Nail trims should be done by a trained avian vet to prevent injury :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.
• Wing trimming can help prevent accidents, but must be professionally done and maintained every few months :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}.
• Clean the habitat daily—spot clean waste and replace liners weekly; disinfect with bird-safe cleaners :contentReference[oaicite:22]{index=22}.

6. Exercise & Social Needs

Sun conures are social butterflies! Provide daily supervised out-of-cage time in a safe, bird-proofed room. This decreases boredom and prevents behavioral issues like screaming or feather plucking :contentReference[oaicite:23]{index=23}.

7. Behavior & Training 🧠

• They may nibble when excited or nervous—teach “time-outs” by calmly placing them down without yelling, which reinforces that biting stops attention :contentReference[oaicite:24]{index=24}.
• Learn body language: pinned eyes, flared tail feathers, or lunging indicate stress or anger—approach slowly or give space :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}.
• Train with gentle, reward-based methods. Linking stepping up with treats builds trust.
• Socialize them early—hand-feeding chicks promotes bonding. Pair them only with other sun conures and under supervision :contentReference[oaicite:26]{index=26}.

8. Health & Veterinary Care 🩺

• Schedule yearly avian vet exams, including weight, bloodwork, droppings, and beak/nail assessments.
• Watch for illness signs: fluffed feathers, discharge, appetite loss, lethargy, respiratory sounds, droppings changes—consult your vet immediately.
• Monitor for chronic conditions like feather destructive behavior, nutritional imbalances, or respiratory issues.

9. Daily Care Checklist ✅

• ✔️ Refresh food & water
• ✔️ Baths or misting 2–3× weekly
• ✔️ Supervised playtime and interaction
• ✔️ Rotate toys and perches
• ✔️ Spot-clean cage daily, deep-clean weekly
• ✔️ Health monitoring & vet exam annually

10. Why Trust Ask A Vet?

Ask A Vet provides 24/7 VM vet support for birds—perfect for bronze emergencies or daily care queries, nutrition advice, and behavioral training. Download our app and enjoy peace of mind knowing expert help is always just a tap away! 📱🦜

11. Final Thoughts

With vivid colors, intelligence, and affection, sun conures are exceptional companions—provided you meet their high needs for attention, mental stimulation, and care. Give them the foundation of social interaction, safe environment, balanced diet, grooming, and vet oversight—and enjoy a joyful, vibrant feathered family member for decades. Here's to happy skies! ❤️

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

👉 Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app for expert avian care anytime! 📲🐦