Pineapple green cheek conures are colorful and characterful birds. Although they have friendly personalities, they sometimes bite, so they must be trained out of this behavior at a young age.
Pineapple green cheek conures are small parrots, reaching just 10 inches and weighing 60-80 grams.
They enjoy spending time with and entertaining their owners but are usually quieter than other parrot species. You can train conures to learn tricks and basic human phrases.
Owning a pineapple green cheek conure is a rewarding experience, but they need an owner with time to engage with them and appreciate their antics.
What Is a Pineapple Green Cheek Conure?
Pineapple green cheek conures have a tan-colored head, yellow sides, and lime green back feathers. The chest has a mixture of bright red and yellow feathers.
Their lower beak appears reddish-orange, with a hint of red above the cere. Like yellow-sides conures, pineapples have tail feathers ranging from light red to maroon, and their eyes are ruby red.
According to the American Federation of Aviculture, pineapple green cheek conures came about after breeders mixed opaline green cheeks and cinnamon conures.
Steve Garvin, who created the first pineapple green cheek conure, named them after a fruit, thus giving them the “pineapple” moniker.
Differences Between Green Cheek vs. Maroon-Bellied Conure
Green cheek and maroon-bellied conures are similar birds, but they have several differences:
- A maroon-bellied conure’s tail is green on top and slightly maroon underneath, whereas a green cheek is a darker maroon underneath.
- Maroon-bellied conures have darker stomachs.
- Green cheek conures are more common in captivity.
- Maroon-bellied conures are shyer birds.
How Big Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Get?
As mentioned, male and female pineapple green cheek conures grow to be 10 inches long.
So, they’re considered a small conure species, making them suitable for apartments. Also, the average adult conure weighs 60-80 grams, making them easy to pick up and carry around.
How Long Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Live?
Healthy pineapple green cheek conures can live for up to 30 years in captivity with the right husbandry and enrichment. However, some owners don’t get their care right, so their lifespans can be cut short.
Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Make Good Pets?
Pineapple green cheek conures are well-loved for their fun, cheeky personalities. They’re loyal and affectionate, thriving on interaction with their owners and other birds. They have these traits:
- Loving: They enjoy being handled and petted.
- Caring: They love spending time with their owners.
- Intelligent: They’re happy to learn new tricks.
- Quiet: They don’t make as much noise as other birds.
- Outgoing: They have a cheeky and comical nature.
However, pineapple green cheek conures are:
- Easily bored and require frequent attention.
- Prone to occasionally biting and nipping.
- Mischievous and attempt to escape their cages.
- Uncooperative at times.
They require training and socialization from an early age to prevent behavioral problems.
Are Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Good for Beginners?
Pineapple green cheek conures are good beginner birds because they’re easy to care for, not overly large, and have an affectionate, warm temperament.
However, because they need human interaction, pineapple green cheek conures are best suited to owners with time to spare and who aren’t away from home for too long.
Conures that lack attention can become stressed, anxious, or depressed.
How Much Is a Pineapple Green Cheek Conure?
Because pineapple green cheek conures are created through opaline and cinnamon color mutations, they fetch a higher price than regular conures.
Breeders sell pineapple green cheek conures for $300 to $600. Factors that affect the price include:
- Age.
- Genetics.
- Gender.
- Hereditary diseases.
- Unique markings or traits, such as the amount of redness.
- Breeder’s reputation.
Older parrots are more expensive, as they’ve undergone training and socialization. However, many owners buy younger birds because forming strong bonds with them is easier.
If you want a pineapple green cheek conure, factor in the long-term cost of:
- Food.
- Toys and games.
- Cage lining.
- Cleaning materials.
- Cages (permanent and spare).
- Perches.
- Veterinary care.
- Pet insurance.
There’s also potential damage to the home, which should be factored into your monthly budget.
Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Talk?
Pineapple green cheek conures aren’t good talkers; they have deep, rough voices, making it difficult to mimic words and phrases. However, they can pick up basic human words and sounds.
Their talking abilities depend on their owners’ time and effort in teaching them words. Owners who do this find their parrots have superior talking abilities.
What Sounds Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Make?
Though quiet birds, pineapple green cheek conures make sounds to show their happiness, including:
Singing
Singing is a sound of happiness that pineapple conures regularly make. They mimic songs and sounds; you can teach them to sing lyrics when you sing, as long as the song’s straightforward.
Clicking
Pineapple conures make this sound by clicking their tongues against the roof of their mouths. They make this joyful sound when contented and relaxed.
Whistling
Pineapple conures whistle to beckon you to play. You could even build a bond by teaching the parrot how to whistle your favorite tunes.
Chatter
All conures chatter differently. However, they usually whistle, indicating they’re happy and contented. If you chatter to the parrot, it may respond to you.
Beak Grinding
Conures grind their beaks when they’re comfortable and ready for sleep.
They make a crackling sound by rubbing the top and bottom of their beak together. When the parrot starts making this sound, dim the lights or cover its cage so it can sleep.
Laughter
Pineapple sun conures pick up laughter from their owners. If you laugh around the parrot often, it’ll mimic you and come to understand that it’s a joyful, upbeat sound.
Are Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Loud?
Pineapple green cheek conures are quiet birds. Compared to other conures, they’re the quietest species. They sometimes make short bursts of noise, but this only happens when they’re scared or startled.
Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Scream?
While pineapple green cheek conures aren’t loud birds, they can develop screaming behavior if you don’t spend enough time together. They don’t like being alone, so they scream for attention.
How To Take Care of A Pineapple Green Cheek Conure
If you want a pineapple green cheek conure, you must learn about these subjects:
What Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Eat?
Feeding the conure a healthy, balanced diet is essential. They need to be fed:
Pellets
According to VCA Hospitals, pineapple green cheek conures are vulnerable to vitamin A deficiencies. Pellets are formulated to meet nutritional needs, so they should make up 50-70% of a conure’s diet.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables should make up most of the remainder of their diet. Pale produce, like lettuce and celery, have little nutritional value, so choose colorful fruits and vegetables.
Seeds
Wild conures eat various seeds in their natural habitat as different plants come into season. However, an all-seed diet is high in fat and low in nutrients, leaving a parrot susceptible to deficiencies.
Similarly, conures will pick through their seed bowl to find their favorites, usually sunflower seeds. These contain excess calories but are low in calcium and vitamin A.
Nuts
Only feed a pineapple green cheek conure a few nuts a day as part of a balanced diet.
What Foods Are Bad for Pineapple Green Cheek Conures?
Never feed a pineapple green cheek conure the following foods, as they’re unhealthy or toxic:
Also, avoid feeding pet parrots human junk food.
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Cage Setup
While pineapple green cheek conures aren’t the biggest birds, they need lots of space. Their cage should make them feel safe and secure, so they’ll need the following:
What Size Cage Does A Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Need?
A larger cage is always recommended to give a parrot more territory and freedom.
However, pineapple green cheek conures cope well with a smaller cage because they’re small. Choose a cage at least 30″ x 36″ x 30″, with the bars spaced 1/2 to 3/4 inches apart.
You’ll need several 9 inches long and 1/2-inch in diameter perches. This will keep their feet healthy and strong, preventing bumblefoot (pododermatitis). Ensure there’s room for the following:
- Food.
- Water.
- Toys.
- Playing.
- Flying.
Other things to consider when it comes to cage size include the following:
- Cage material. Choose a powder-coated cage made of steel, brass, or chrome. These non-corrosive materials are better at withstanding pecking.
- Cage quality. A cage with thick bars will be more durable.
- Dishes. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls last longer than aluminum dishes.
- Trays and gates. Removable items are easier to clean and sanitize.
Cage Bedding
Newspaper is easy to remove and free to replace. Shavings are too dusty, affecting the parrot’s respiratory system and causing breathing difficulties.
Newspaper keeps the bottom of the cage clean, as most parrots sleep on perches where they feel safe.
Replicating these conditions with 3 perches in a pineapple green cheek conure’s cage will ensure it feels safe and secure. When positioning them:
- Place one up high for the parrot to sleep on.
- Position one in the middle, keeping it away from food and water.
- Put one at the bottom, allowing easy access to food and water.
Natural wooden perches are recommended, as plastic perches with sharp edges or an abrasive surface are likely to cut the parrot’s feet.
The parrot should be able to wrap its feet around the perch without overlapping the front and back toes.
Can Pineapple Sun Conures Be Kept Outside?
Pineapple green cheek conures should be kept inside at less than 80 degrees. Also, keep them away from draughty areas, radiators, or direct sunlight.
Conures dislike heavy traffic areas, so position the cage against the wall to create a feeling of safety. Putting it in the room the family uses will keep a conure in good spirits and prevent behavioral problems.
Some conures are prone to night frights, so they might appreciate having a cover over their cage at night. This blocks out the light and ensures a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Personality
Pineapple green cheek conures have big personalities, making them popular pets. They’re affectionate, loving, and entertaining. Because they live in flocks, they like the company of other birds.
Neglected parrots become problematic, so you must interact with them for a few hours daily. They love to:
- Swing off their perches.
- Go in and out of things.
- Lay on their backs.
- Hang upside down.
Once they know their behavior entertains you, they’ll do it regularly to please you.
Are Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Intelligent?
Pineapple green cheek conures are clever birds, so they need human interaction. Because their smart, they’re able to learn tricks, such as:
- Waving.
- Turning around.
- Shaking hands.
They’re particularly good at acrobatics and enjoy exploring and climbing their cages.
Are Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Cuddly?
Pineapple green cheek conures are affectionate, which means many are cuddly. They can form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy spending time with them.
Some are more affectionate than others but enjoy company because they’re flock birds.
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Behavioral Problems
Without proper training or the right environmental conditions, pineapple green cheek conures are prone to several behavioral problems, including:
Biting
Like most other conures, pineapple green cheek conures have a habit of biting. This is more common in pineapple conures that are:
- Young and unsocialized.
- Have experienced trauma due to being rehomed.
- Ill-tempered and spoiled.
They need to be trained to prevent or stop this behavior, particularly around young children.
However, before you train the conure, it must trust you. If it’s scared, agitated, or stressed, no amount of training will prevent a biting habit.
Once you’ve built trust with the pineapple green cheek conure, stop its biting with these steps:
- Whenever the conure attempts to bite at you, tap its beak and say “no.”
- Ignore it for about a minute.
- Present your hand to the bird to test its reaction.
- Use gentle movements, and don’t creep closer, as the bird might think you’re stalking it as prey.
- If the parrot bites you again, tap its beak, say “no,” and ignore it.
This will take several attempts, but consistent training should help the parrot break the biting habit.
Aggression
Pineapple conures aren’t naturally aggressive but can become destructive if left alone for too long. There’s a difference between aggressive and playful conures, which include:
- Ruffled feathers.
- A crouched position or low-hanging head.
- Swinging from side to side.
- Eye pinning (a rapid change in pupil size).
- Screaming.
- Growling.
- Lunging.
To ensure happiness, it may need more human interaction. Other factors include the cage being too small, intimidating cage mates, and predatory pets (cats, dogs, etc.)
Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Health Problems
Pineapple green cheek conures are healthy birds, but that doesn’t mean they’ll never have health conditions. Pineapple conures are prone to these illnesses:
Chlamydiosis
Avian chlamydiosis is a bacterial disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci.
It’s spread by parrots breathing in dust containing dried saliva, mucous, feathers, and droppings from other feathers. It can also be passed to humans, causing psittacosis (parrot fever).
The main signs of the disease in pineapple conures include:
- Appetite loss.
- Fluffed feathers.
- Beak discharge.
- Lime droppings.
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye).
- Coughing.
- Difficulty moving or flying.
Infected parrots must be isolated and treated with antibiotics. Also, disinfect their cage and toys.
Polyomavirus
Polyomavirus is a deadly infection that affects the organs and body parts. Young parrots are most at risk and usually die from it.
The condition lowers a conure’s immunity, making it vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These things lead to secondary infections, causing the following symptoms:
- Loss of appetite.
- Lethargy.
- Weight loss.
- Swollen abdomen.
- Regurgitation.
- Vomiting.
- Breathing difficulties.
- Sudden death.
Polyomavirus is commonly caused by direct contact with other infected birds. This could be through feces, dander, air, nest boxes, feather dust, and incubators.
Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease
Psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a viral disease affecting parrots.
It’s sometimes called “Bird AIDS” due to the similarities between the disease and human AIDS. According to VCA Hospitals, it’s caused by the Psittacine beak and feather virus, Circovirus.
Parrots can become infected through the nasal passages, oral cavity, and cloaca. The virus is shed in the feces and crop, which could explain how the virus spreads. High concentrations are also spread in feather dust from infected birds. The symptoms include the following:
- Beak and claw deformities.
- Sudden death.
- Yellow contour feathers on green parrots.
- Secondary infections.
Psittacosis
Also known as parrot fever, psittacosis affects over 400 species of birds. The Chlamydophila psittaci, Chlamydophila avium, and Chlamydophila gallinacean bacterium cause it.
The easiest way for parrots to catch it is through direct contact. However, this isn’t the only way, as fomites on food and water bowls, feathers, feces, airborne particles, and contaminated items can all infect healthy birds. The symptoms of psittacosis include the following:
- Discharge from eyes and beak.
- Swollen, watery, or crusty eyes.
- Yellow or green droppings.
- Reduced vocalization.
- Reduced appetite.
- Depression.
- Weakness.
- Weight loss.
50% of birds die from psittacosis if left untreated, but it can be treated with antibiotics.
Beak Malocclusion
Beak malocclusion is where the top and bottom parts of the beak don’t align.
This misalignment causes an overgrown or misshapen beak, making it difficult for pineapple green cheek parrots to eat, drink, and file their beaks down. It’s usually due to injury or a genetic abnormality.
Aspergillosis
Aspergillosis is a fungal infection that causes respiratory disease in parrots and upper and lower respiratory problems, affecting the sinuses and lungs.
The fungus is slow-growing and damages the bodily tissues over weeks to months.
Unfortunately, affected parrots rarely show symptoms until an organ or system is severely compromised. However, when symptoms show, they include the following:
- Tail bobbing.
- Weight loss.
- Lethargy.
- Fluffed feathers.
- Listlessness.
Aspergillosis is a complex condition to treat because the location of the infection and how the body reacts to it make it hard for the drugs to work.
Pineapple green cheek conure parrots make good pets for those with time, energy, and love to give. They can become fun playmates and loving companion birds for several decades.
