Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Information (with Pictures)

Last Updated on: 27th September 2023, 08:34 am

Pineapple green cheek conures are colorful and characterful birds. Although they have friendly personalities, they sometimes bite. Conures must be trained out of this behavior at an early 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 conure species. You can even train conures to learn clever tricks and basic words.

Owning a pineapple green cheek conure is a rewarding experience, but they need an owner with time to engage with them who’ll appreciate their fun-loving 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 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.
• Maroon-bellied conures are shyer birds.

Green cheek conures are more commonly found in captivity.

How Big Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Get?

As mentioned, male and female pineapple green cheek conures reach 10 inches long.

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 proper care.

Do Pineapple Green Cheek Conures Make Good Pets?

Pineapple green cheek conures are well-loved for their 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.

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 who 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 like the amount of redness.
• Breeder’s reputation.

Mature parrots are more expensive because they’ve undergone training and socialization. However, many owners buy younger birds because forming strong bonds and teaching them skills 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 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 crackling sounds 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 seek 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 provided:

Pellets

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 comprise 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 some nuts 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:

• Avocado.
• Coffee.
• Chocolate.
• Onions.

Also, avoid feeding pet parrots human junk food.

Pineapple Green Cheek Conure Cage Setup

While pineapple green cheek conures aren’t large birds, they need ample 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. Choose a cage at least  24″ (long) x 24″ (wide) x 30″ (high), with the bars spaced 1/2 inch apart to prevent escape.

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 and water bowls.
• Perches.
• Toys.
• Bird bath.

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.

A cage liner or newspaper is easy to remove. 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 because 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, and 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 interesting 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 difficult, so 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 they’re 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 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 due to being spoiled.

They must be trained to prevent or stop this behavior, particularly around young children.

However, before you train a 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:

1. Whenever the conure attempts to bite you, tap its beak and say “no.”
2. Ignore it for about a minute.
3. Present your hand to the bird to test its reaction.
4. Use gentle movements, and don’t creep closer, as the bird might think you’re stalking it as prey.
5. If the parrot bites you again, tap its beak, say “no,” and ignore it.

This will take several attempts, but consistent training will help the parrot cease its 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.
• Lunging and biting.

The bird may need a quieter room and more human interaction.

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 substances 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 the cage and toys.

Polyomavirus

Polyomavirus is a deadly infection of the organs. Young parrots are most at risk.

The condition lowers a conure’s immunity, making it vulnerable to viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. These 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 condition.

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 of Psittacine beak and feather disease 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 the condition.

The easiest way for parrots to catch it is through direct contact. However, 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.

If left untreated, 50% of birds die from psittacosis. However, parrot fever can be cured 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, affecting the air sacs and lungs. Birds are infected by inhaling dried fungal spores. It’s a non-contagious condition.

Affected parrots rarely show symptoms until an organ is severely compromised. When symptoms are displayed, they include the following:

• Breathing difficulties.
• Tail-bobbing.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• Lethargy and listlessness.
• Fluffed feathers.

Antifungal medications used to treat Aspergillosis include amphotericin B, itraconazole, and fluconazole.

Pineapple green cheek conures make good pets for people with time, energy, and love to give. They can become fun playmates and loving companion birds for 2-3 decades.