Sun Conure age difference

[silverblaz3]

Hi, i have a 8 months sun conure male & i recently got a 2 and half month sun conure female from a friend. Both have bonded well and are currently staying in the same cage since 1 week without any issues. As my male will attain breeding maturity earlier, will it try to mate with the female before the female attains breeding maturity. Will it cause any issue. Sorry for the noob question. Any info regarding this will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[LaManuka]

Hi, i have a 8 months sun conure male & i recently got a 2 and half month sun conure female from a friend. Both have bonded well and are currently staying in the same cage since 1 week without any issues. As my male will attain breeding maturity earlier, will it try to mate with the female before the female attains breeding maturity. Will it cause any issue. Sorry for the noob question. Any info regarding this will be appreciated. Thanks.

Welcome to the forums, @silverblaz3, and congrats on your pair of Suns!

While it's good they've become friends already, I'd suggest that you make arrangements for them to be housed in separate cages if you possibly can. Once those hormones kick in at maturity things can often go a bit haywire, as the instinct to breed is hard-wired and can have all sorts of unintended consequences in addition to unwanted breeding, even in the most previously mild-mannered of birds. In the wild your little hen would have plenty of space to escape any unwelcome advances by your rooster, something she doesn't have if they're caged together, even with lots of out-of-cage time. I once had a pair of cockatiels, very placid birds usually, but once the male's hormones were activated he became HUGELY aggressive towards my much older hen, to the point where he would physically attack her for not returning his affections. They always had separate cages, but when the chemicals in his brain took over he'd chase her around the house to the point of exhaustion and I'd have to cage her for her own safety. Your suns can still enjoy plenty of time together outside the cage with supervision, particularly if you want to prevent breeding. But in my experience it's always best to have separate cages for some time-out and/or for sleeping, just in case things get a little "hectic".

Best of luck with your new babies, and I hope you'll post some pics of them too, cos we love baby photos around here!

 

[silverblaz3]

Welcome to the forums, @silverblaz3, and congrats on your pair of Suns!

While it's good they've become friends already, I'd suggest that you make arrangements for them to be housed in separate cages if you possibly can. Once those hormones kick in at maturity things can often go a bit haywire, as the instinct to breed is hard-wired and can have all sorts of unintended consequences in addition to unwanted breeding, even in the most previously mild-mannered of birds. In the wild your little hen would have plenty of space to escape any unwelcome advances by your rooster, something she doesn't have if they're caged together, even with lots of out-of-cage time. I once had a pair of cockatiels, very placid birds usually, but once the male's hormones were activated he became HUGELY aggressive towards my much older hen, to the point where he would physically attack her for not returning his affections. They always had separate cages, but when the chemicals in his brain took over he'd chase her around the house to the point of exhaustion and I'd have to cage her for her own safety. Your suns can still enjoy plenty of time together outside the cage with supervision, particularly if you want to prevent breeding. But in my experience it's always best to have separate cages for some time-out and/or for sleeping, just in case things get a little "hectic".

Best of luck with your new babies, and I hope you'll post some pics of them too, cos we love baby photos around here!

Hi, thanks for the reply, as of now I don't have an additional cage, but I will monitor them continuously till i get another cage. Here is a pic of both of them together. The male is still so green, i doubt whether it is a jenday conure or sunday conure. Can u shed some light on this.

 

[Jexnell]

It will take a few molts for your Sun's to get the adult coloration. Around 2 year mark is when Phoenix was full adult.

20 weeks

After first molt 8 months

2nd molt 1.5 year's

3rd molt over 2 years old

 

[silverblaz3]

It will take a few molts for your Sun's to get the adult coloration. Around 2 year mark is when Phoenix was full adult.

View attachment 55728
20 weeks
View attachment 55729
After first molt 8 months
View attachment 55730
2nd molt 1.5 year's
View attachment 55731
3rd molt over 2 years old

Oh, that's nice to know, any idea how will I know if the molting has started or not.

 

[Jexnell]

Birds typically molt twice a year. Going into autumn they molt the summer feathers for thicker winter ones. Then in spring they drop the thick ones for thinner summer ones. But if you live in an area where it stays the same temp year round then they only do a single molt.

 

[Suzette]

Birds typically molt twice a year. Going into autumn they molt the summer feathers for thicker winter ones. Then in spring they drop the thick ones for thinner summer ones. But if you live in an area where it stays the same temp year round then they only do a single molt.

Interesting and useful information about molting, thank you! I have a Sun Conure and her feathers seem to be dropping here and there. We are in Washington State, so colder weather most of the year. Do you think it's about time for her to start molting? Just wondering. Thanks in advance!

 

[Jexnell]

Interesting and useful information about molting, thank you! I have a Sun Conure and her feathers seem to be dropping here and there. We are in Washington State, so colder weather most of the year. Do you think it's about time for her to start molting? Just wondering. Thanks in advance!

Yes, I lived in Washington state when I had my Sun Conure Phoenix. And this is when he would start his molt as well. A good way you can tell if it's molting is look at it's head. If you see pin feathers, definitely molting.

See all the white pin feathers around his beak. When new feathers first come out they are in a case. The Bird will decase the ones it can. Flockmates or it's mate would do the ones on it's face and head. So it's up to us, if the bird is a solo bird, to get these. Offer water in a bowl for it to bath in every day. And misting helps. They get really itchy during the molt. The water helps a lot with the itching. Don't direct spray water but spray as a mist above the bird and let it fall onto the bird. To remove the case gently pinch off the tip, then roll the rest between two fingures and it will fall apart. Be gentle, in time he will get accustomed to this and move his head around to help you to get to the ones he can't get.

And here is after a good prune session

You can see the remains of the feather cases I removed.

 

[parrotexpert]

It’s great that your Sun Conures are bonding well! Since your male Sun Conure is around 8 months old, he is approaching breeding maturity, which usually occurs around 1-2 years of age. The female, at 2.5 months, is still quite young and won’t reach sexual maturity until she's around 1.5-2 years old.

Here’s what you should consider:

1. Mating Attempts: It’s possible that the male may show signs of mating behavior before the female is ready, especially as he gets older. However, actual mating is unlikely to occur until the female is mature. The male may court the female with displays like regurgitating food or showing interest in nesting.
2. Potential Issues: While it's rare for a male to become overly aggressive if the female isn't ready, it’s good to monitor their behavior closely. Sometimes a male may get frustrated if his advances aren’t reciprocated. Watch for any signs of aggression or stress, especially as the male nears maturity.
3. Separate Housing: If you notice any issues such as aggression or stress, it may be wise to separate them temporarily until the female is older and more capable of handling courtship behaviors.
4. Bonding Without Breeding: For now, as long as they are peaceful and bonded, there's no immediate cause for concern. Keep providing them with enriching activities and toys to divert their energy into play rather than breeding.

By monitoring their behavior and ensuring both are comfortable, you should be able to manage them well until both reach full maturity. Feel free to ask if you need more details or guidance!

 

[Suzette]

Yes, I lived in Washington state when I had my Sun Conure Phoenix. And this is when he would start his molt as well. A good way you can tell if it's molting is look at it's head. If you see pin feathers, definitely molting.
View attachment 61259
See all the white pin feathers around his beak. When new feathers first come out they are in a case. The Bird will decase the ones it can. Flockmates or it's mate would do the ones on it's face and head. So it's up to us, if the bird is a solo bird, to get these. Offer water in a bowl for it to bath in every day. And misting helps. They get really itchy during the molt. The water helps a lot with the itching. Don't direct spray water but spray as a mist above the bird and let it fall onto the bird. To remove the case gently pinch off the tip, then roll the rest between two fingures and it will fall apart. Be gentle, in time he will get accustomed to this and move his head around to help you to get to the ones he can't get.View attachment 61260View attachment 61261
And here is after a good prune session View attachment 61262
You can see the remains of the feather cases I removed.

 

[Suzette]

Jexnell, thank you so much for your detailed reply and the wonderful photos! Phoenix is quite beautiful! Wow, that was a lot of pinfeather stuff you were able to remove! My little Nugget jumped into her water dish yesterday and gave herself a nice bath, thank goodness! This is her 3rd bath. One bath I had given her myself, with a spray water bottle. She hated me for that! LOL. Took her about 3 days to get over it. Now I have a very large water dish I bought her (for mounting inside a dog or cat's travel box) and it's a good size for her to take a bath in. I cannot handle her very easily yet. She just started allowing me to pet her head, when she is in the mood. Otherwise, I could get bitten. So I have to go slow with her. I will try to work up the trust level with her, wish me luck!

 

[Jexnell]

Ya don't force a bird into anything. Give then a nice shallow bowl and let them be. Nine times out of ten they will probably jump right in themselves. Also don't directly spray them. Mist spray above them and let it rain down on them. More then likely they will sit there and spread thier wings out to catch all the water.

 

[Suzette]

Ya don't force a bird into anything. Give then a nice shallow bowl and let them be. Nine times out of ten they will probably jump right in themselves. Also don't directly spray them. Mist spray above them and let it rain down on them. More then likely they will sit there and spread thier wings out to catch all the water.View attachment 61265

 

[Suzette]

More cute pics of Phoenix!!! Nugget was dancing on her perch today, happy girl! She dances and bobs up and down when I say bird bird bird. LOL. I clipped her wings about 2 weeks ago, she's a bit easier to handle as we train her in our home. I plan to let them grow back out. I noticed some of your pics, your birds wings look trimmed, some look untrimmed. Nugget's wings are very powerful, she can still fly across the room and around corners. I'm glad she can still fly a little. Years ago when I had birds, I used to trim just one wing when needed. This time I trimmed them both, pretty evenly.

There's a pic of her new bird bath/water bowl. It's about 6" across and you can remove the stainless steel liner pretty easily to clean and refill. We'll see if it's suitable for Miss Nugget's Bath time! Today she just used her small water dish. I've been trying to get her to take a bath outside her cage, but I don't think she is accustomed to doing it that way.

 

[Jexnell]

His wings were only trimmed twice. When I got him, they didn't want a baby bird flying around the bird store, understandable. And at the end of covid, my rent shot up $500 so had to live in my car for a couple month's. Didn't want him flighted during that. Otherwise he been flighted the rest of the time and basically free range of the apartment. He would put himself to bed right around 8pm and I would open the cage door at 8am.

 

[Suzette]

His wings were only trimmed twice. When I got him, they didn't want a baby bird flying around the bird store, understandable. And at the end of covid, my rent shot up $500 so had to live in my car for a couple month's. Didn't want him flighted during that. Otherwise he been flighted the rest of the time and basically free range of the apartment. He would put himself to bed right around 8pm and I would open the cage door at 8am.

I love the story! So Phoenix is a real companion and friend through good times and bad. You named him appropriately! I am sorry you had to go through a time living in your car, but so thankful you are able to have a nice aprtment now! Bless you and your beautiful Phoenix!

 

[Jexnell]

He was definitely my partner in crime. Had to be in the middle of everything I did, to put his beak of approval on it.
He is now living with my daughter. Had an absolutely horrible neighbor that started noise complaint reporting daily. So it was remove the bird or homeless again. Daughter said she could take him in as she had some birds already. He now has a mate and is doing quite well. She said was bad for a few months. He was looking for me every day. Then she got a female sunny and he totally forgot about me

 

[Suzette]

Great pics! Wow, Phoenix is very well people friendly! My Nuggest is quite loud too! There is no way I could ever be in a home with neighbors too close, she would have them all upset. She is louder than the crows and the bluejays outside. When the do their regular screams and chatter, it sounds like they are being attacked. LOL. If they are content and busy in their cages though, it's like a baby sleeping. They are so quite at night too, thank God!

Can you get a little parakeet or a quieter bird to keep you company? I am glad your daughter was able to keep Phoenix for you. Did she get a girl mate for Phoenix? Never know, perhaps they will have some babies?

 

[Jexnell]

Yes it was a female mate my daughter got for Phoenix. And as now babies yet. Maybe next season.
This is the exciting part. Recently I moved to the Philippines. Next month I plan on moving into a normal house, at the moment I am in a Condo rental. After the move I plan on getting either another Sun Conure or go big beak and get a Scarlett Macaw. I already found a breeder that has both normal Sunnies and Red factor ones. Also found a cage builder that will weld up a stainless steel cage to your dimensions.

 

[Suzette]

Yes, that is exciting!!! Wow, that would be great to have another bird too! Once a bird lover, always a bird lover. I had them as a kid and as an Adult. Chickens and parrots. Thankfully we have about (10) huge Evergreen trees along the entire length of one side of the property, so lots of birds and wildlife to see every day. Love it! Congrats on you upcoming new baby!