Sun Conure genders

[2timer]

Hi, I have 2 sun conures and I believe 1 is a female and the other is male. For one the female is very calm and gentle while the male is very outgoing and a leader also he plays a lot like all day. The female is 2+ years old and the male is 2 by now.

I caught the male getting on top of the female several times, I am thinking of building a nest box. I had bird babies a long time ago and let the parents raise them. Should I attempt the nest box and see if they can lay eggs?

 

[Amber]

First off I would have them DNA tested for gender.

Secondly, is breeding birds something you really want to do? What if the parents reject the chicks and they need to be hand fed? Even if they don't, sometimes it's more humane to hand raise as the birds tend to have a better and richer life as pets with their 'flock' of people, as opposed to feral birds jammed in a cage or aviary with little/no mental stimulation for breeding. All these are things you must consider. Do you know how to hand feed if necessary? Can you afford vet visits should a chick or parent fall ill? Do you have access to an avian vet? What is your previous experience with raising birds?

I'm not saying DON'T do it, I'm just saying know what you're getting yourself in for. Their are thousands of parrots in parrot shelters and sanctuaries needing homes. By breeding more birds we can inadvertently contribute to that. You have no say over what will happen to one of your chicks when it goes to a new home. It could be mistreated, it could be 'difficult' and end up in a shelter, it could be used as a breeder, and it's chicks, and the offspring of those chicks, and so on through the generations could have the fates above. It's a ripple effect we rarely ever think of.

 

[erictheviking]

Hi, I have a five months sun conuer. Wonder why will it pant after a short flight. Any idea?

 

[gccgirl]

At erictheviking do u think something is wrong with the bird? Try taking it to an avian vet and see if they can find something wrong. Usually birds don't breathe through their beaks so probably a respiratory problem. I'm not saying there IS, but it is a possibility.

 

[MonicaMc]

Hi, I have a five months sun conuer. Wonder why will it pant after a short flight. Any idea?

If birds are not in shape, they can get out of breath via a short flight. If they are clipped or overweight, this forces them to flap their wings harder and will make them out of breath.

If your bird breaths normally at all other times, chances are, that's what the issue is.