How to Care for a Half-Moon Conure

Half-moon conures can make great pet birds because of their abilities in sound repetition and talking. They are a fairly small conure, only growing about nine and a half inches tall. The half-moon is a great purchase for those with less space or a smaller budget because it requires a smaller cage than most conures and is usually much less expensive--under $500.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Enclosure
• Substrate
• Perches
• Toys
• Spray bottle
• Bird food

1. Start out by purchasing an appropriately sized enclosure for your conure. The cage should be a minimum of 20 inches tall by 20 inches deep and 30 inches wide. The bars should be spaced one half to three quarters of an inch apart.
2. Cover the bottom of the cage with an easily cleaned substrate like cage paper, newspaper or corn cob. You should change the substrate on a daily basis.
3. Place several perches and toys in the cage. Cement perches are good for trimming nails, but also use some natural perches which also promote healthy feet.
4. Provide an area for the cage where the temperature can be kept consistent, avoiding direct sunlight and drafts.
5. Keep a constant fresh non-chlorinated supply of drinking water on hand at all times for your bird. The water should be changed and bowls cleaned out of debris daily.
6. Feed your conure a mixture of foods including seed, pellets and fresh fruit.
7. Schedule at least one regular time every day to sit down and spend time with your bird. Your conure will crave your attention and you need to be willing to give it attention on a daily basis.
8. Spray your conure with a water bottle filled with room temperature water once every few weeks to bathe the bird. Conures will not actually bathe but will allow you to spray them with a spray bottle.
9. See a veterinarian if your bird's behavior patterns change, dropping color changes or other signs of illness. The bird should also see a vet on an annual basis even if it appears healthy.

Tips & Warnings

• If you can buy a bigger cage you should; the larger the enclosure the more exercise your pet can get and the happier they will be.
• The half-moon conure is often described as a bird with an attitude. They are notorious for pushing their boundaries and you will need to be patient with yours as you train it.
• Understand that your bird will live between 25 and 30 years or more. Understand the commitment you are undertaking when purchasing the bird.
• Avoid placing the cage in an area where drafts are common or direct sunlight as well. These drastic and relatively quick temperature changes can be harmful to your bird.
• Avoid feeding your conure avocado, alcohol, chocolate and caffeine these may be poisonous to your bird.