Pineapple Conure is a beautiful variation of the Green Cheek Conure that came into being as a mutation of Cinnamon and Yellow-sided Conure. This unique combination gives them a colorful appearance that makes them a popular pet option among bird lovers. Their small size is another reason for their popularity. The playfulness, intelligence, and quiet nature add to their appeal. They are friendly little birds who need attentive and loving owners. 

Pineapple Conures in the Wild

Pineapple Conures are native to the wilderness of South America. They can be seen in the forests and woodlands of Bolivia, Mato Grosso, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Due to them being social, one can find them at treetops in flocks of 10 to 20 or even more, depending on the availability of food. The more the food, the bigger the flock they will form. 

Pineapple Conure Physical Attributes

The physical attributes of Pineapple Conures help know whether the owner is ready to keep them as pets or not. The purchase decision of a bird parent is usually based on certain criteria like size, color, ease to handle, et al. Let us find out the physical attributes of Pineapple Conures:

Size and Weight

Pineapple Conures are considered small species of Conures with adults reaching a size of about 10 inches. The weight of an adult Pineapple Conure can range between 60 to 80 grams.

Pineapple Conure Color

Since Pineapple Conure is a mutation of Cinnamon and Yellow-sided Conure, the colors of both these mutations are dominant in the Pineapple Conures. They feature a tan-colored head and yellow sides. Their back feathers showcase a lime green color just like a Cinnamon Conure and the chest is full of bright red and yellow colors. A reddish-orange color is usually seen around their lower beak feathers. Also, some hints of red can be seen above their cere. The tail feathers range from light red to maroon just like Yellow-sided Conures and display a halo effect. Their eyes are ruby red similar to Cinnamon Conures.

Pineapple Conure Gender Differences

Talking about the physical differences among the genders of Pineapple Conures, they have a similar external appearance. One cannot tell the difference by just looking at them. There are, however, some behavioral differences that many Pineapple Conure owners notice between males and females. Males tend to be more territorial and aggressive than females. They are more adventurous as well. Females, on the other hand, are more cuddly and sweet.

Pineapple Conure Character Attributes

Pineapple Conures carry a strong personality in their small bodies. They are known as excellent pets for their companionship and numerous wonderful personality traits. For deciding whether to keep Pineapple Conure as a pet or not, it is essential to understand his behavior well. We have tried to cover some major aspects of Pineapple Conure’s personality here:

Pineapple Conure Behavior

Green Cheek Conures are among the quietest Conure species and can even be kept as pets in an apartment. That does not at all mean that they are boring. Rather, they are playful and want their owners to hold them for showing affection towards them. They are intelligent and loving, making them great companions as pets.

These Conures roll on their back for playing or sleeping and enjoy being scratched by their owner. They would also love to wrestle with their favorite human. The young Pineapple Conures are a bit nippy and might bite their owners but such behavior can be cured with the use of proper training. This nipping might also continue on the surrounding furniture making it hard for the owners to deal with these beauties.

Their small size does not restrict them from behaving like their bigger cousins, the Macaws. With a similar clownish personality, Pineapple Conures can entertain people for hours. They are very active and carry out extremely funny antics including dancing, shaking, kissing, and hanging upside-down.

If proper attention is not provided, these birds are known to develop behavioral issues and become quite aggressive. This can lead them to stress and depression. The condition needs to be addressed immediately in such a case.

 Temperament

The temperament of Pineapple Conure is a bit relaxed and fun-filled. They are extremely interactive and full of life which is evident from their playful behavior. They do not come across as true Conures for their quiet nature, making them perfect for people looking to own a Conure for their personality traits but aren’t ready to bear the loudness.

Being clownish is their second nature. They have a unique way of shaking and dancing to entertain people around them adding to everyone’s amusement. Though Pineapple Conures have some individual personality differences, they all become aggressive if not given enough cuddles. They usually want their owners to rub their neck, tummy, and head. In return, these little birdies climb through their owner’s hair and pockets for snuggling close to them.

Since Pineapple Conures are quite energetic throughout the day, their excessive energies must be directed towards their favorite activity: playing. These clowns of the bird world love to hang upside down and can do that without getting bored. So, a good variety of ropes will keep them amused. A good variety of toys offered to Pineapple Conures will prevent the occurrence of any behavioral issues.

Pineapple Conure Talking Ability

Pineapple Conures are not that great talkers. Their talking abilities can be compared to Parrotlets as they both are generally quiet but can learn a few words. Since their voice is quite rough and deep-sounding, they are not the best birds to develop talking abilities. Though their vocabulary will remain limited, they will put in efforts to mimic some human speech if encouraged well. Their love for human interaction helps them learn to talk when their owners spend enough time teaching them. This ability, however, varies widely between individual birds. Some will learn more while others not.

Pineapple Conure Lifespan

The lifespan of Pineapple Conures ranges from 10 to 30 years. The lower limit is normally seen in the wild and in cases, where these beauties are neglected by their owners. In captivity, the average lifespan of this species is typically 15 years. But as per the experiences of many Pineapple Conure owners, they can easily live up to 30 years. This feat is quite easy to achieve with proper care, attention, and diet for the bird. This species can even survive for more than 30 years with a careful and loving owner.

Pineapple Conure Breeding

The breeding age of Pineapple Conures ranges from 1 to 3 years. Female Pineapples might mature at about 7 months of age but they shouldn’t be allowed to breed till they complete their first year. Such early breeding might take a toll on their health.

The breeding season for Pineapple Conures is summer in their natural habitat which coincides with February. In captivity, Pineapple Conure owners might observe some breeding behavior during this period. The females tend to start hiding in the nest box more often. Both genders can be seen regurgitating food to each other and nipping the other below the middle-back. All these signs indicate mating readiness in Pineapple Conures.

The average clutch size of this species ranges between 4 to 6 eggs with exceptions of larger clutches at times. Both male and female Pineapple Conures share the duty of sitting on the eggs for 22 to 25 days. If, in any case, neither of the parents sits on the egg by 10 days after laying, it will not hatch.

Pineapple Conure Cage Requirements

With their small size, Pineapple Conures do not require as much space as many large parrot species might require. But, looking at their playful nature, a 22 to 24 inches square cage with a height of about 30 inches would do well for these creatures. Keeping a space of ½ to ¾ inch in the metal bars is best for these cages. Such flight cages are comfortable for the Pineapple Conures and provide them with an adequate room for physical activity.

Adding cage accessories to any bird’s cage is a necessity. Pineapple Conures have curious and joyful nature and might get bored without the addition of accessories. 

Following accessories can be added to a Pineapple Conure cage:

Different perches

Birds have a lot of perches in their natural habitat. Hopping from one perch to another makes them happy. It might seem unnecessary to specially install them in a Pineapple Conure’s cage, but lack of them might make the bird unhappy and, subsequently, unhealthy too. So, adding different lengths of perches with varying thickness will keep this species both physically and mentally fit. The main aim of installing varying shapes and sizes is to make the bird’s flexes better and grip stronger. 

     

Not only is the selection of perches important, but their placement in the cage also plays an important role in keeping the Pineapple Conure amused for long. These perches must be installed at an appropriate distance so that the little bird can take small to medium flights comfortably. Choosing a non-toxic wood material for making these perches is necessary to prevent any harm to the Pineapple Conures if they try to chew them. Also, the natural wood on the roadside might carry harmful traffic fumes, so it should be avoided at all costs.

Choosing a good mix of soft and hard perches is essential here. Installing one sturdy perch will allow the Pineapple Conure to wipe his beak after having food. This resembles the act of Pineapples in the wild that helps them grind their beak naturally. Installing some soft chewable perches in the cage is also important for the same reason. One perch brushing against the toenails of Pineapple Conure shall also be installed for naturally grinding them off. Some birds might like a zigzag pattern that looks visibly appealing as well, but likings of individual birds do vary. Depending on how comfortable the individual pet bird feels, a pattern of perches can be created.

Feeding Bowls

Adding food and water bowls to the Pineapple Conure’s cage is extremely essential. Water, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are a must for every bird. So, feeding bowls to fulfill all these needs must always be there inside their cage. Since Pineapple Conures are quite active all the time due to their playful character, their metabolism is very fast. This calls for filling up their feeding bowls as soon as they finish them off or having a backup bowl of each of them, in case the first one goes empty. These feeding bowls can either be kept inside the cage or hung on the cage bars with the help of clippers.

The water bowl should be filled up with filtered water. It must be filled afresh every time for providing clean drinking water to the bird. Fruits and vegetables should be served in chopped, diced, sliced or pureed form to the Pineapple Conures. Since fruits and veggies might go bad if kept open for long, the bowl should be removed if the pet bird does not consume it fully. 

Supplements

Unlike in the wild, Pineapple Conures do not get all the essential nutrients in captivity. It, therefore, becomes important to supplement their diet with nutrients and minerals for keeping them healthy. The most appropriate way to feed them all the left-out nutrients is to fill their cage with mineral blocks. Many high-quality mineral blocks can be found in the market that contains all the nutrients in a perfect mix.

Additionally, adding cuttlebone to the Pineapple Conure’s cage is a must for fulfilling his calcium needs. This not only keeps his beak conditioned but also makes his bones strong and healthy. Cuttlebone holder can be installed in the cage to keep it stable while the bird chews upon it.

Pineapple Conure Toys

Like other species of parrots, Pineapple Conures also need entertainment. Toys can be a good source of entertainment for these birds and can also help in physical and mental stimulation. Lack of toys will make Pineapple Conures dull, both physically and mentally. This makes him lose interest in life and fall into depression. Hence, the addition of toys in his cage is a must. 

A wide variety of toys are available in the market for Pineapple Conures like rope-like hanging toys, swings of varying shapes, sparkly toys with mirrors and bells on them, and small wooden ladders with eye-catching patterns. All these toys interest these little birds a lot. With an inquisitive personality, Pineapple Conures also love to find hidden treats by unwrapping or dismantling the toys, so foraging toys can also be added to their cages. These mentally stimulating toys keep their minds occupied and they are less likely to get bored or fall into depression.

Not everyone can spend on market toys and it is not at all necessary either. Home-made toys are equally good for Pineapple Conures and can be personalized by the bird owners. Snake-like swings, soft wool-ball toys with mirrors and sparkles, and foraging toys with hidden nuts as a treat can be easily created at home. Ensuring that all the toys, whether market-made or home-made, are made from non-toxic material and colors. 

Pineapple Conure Diet

As like any other parrot species, diet is important for good physical and mental health of Pineapple Conures. They have a varied diet that needs to be balanced for optimum nutrition.

Pineapple Conure Diet in the Wild

When in the wild, Pineapples love to feed on varied fruits, nuts, seeds, grass, and insects including their larvae. Their favorite place for finding food is treetops. In some regions, they love raiding farmer’s crops too. 

Pineapple Conure Diet in Captivity

While in captivity, Pineapple Conures eat what they are served. Hence, it becomes the responsibility of the owner to feed the bird a balanced diet. 

Seeds are the favorite of Pineapple Conures and they love gorging on a variety of them. Feed them quinoa, chia, barley, or mix a few of them to keep the bird interested. Soak them for a few hours before serving to make them chewable for the bird. Or you can also serve them sprouted if the bird likes. Try not to overdo with the seeds as they are high in fat content and might cause obesity in Pineapples. Also, try not to feed the market-made seed-mix to the bird as it contains high fat-content along an imbalanced nutrition profile.

     

Pellets form the major portion of Pineapple’s diet and account for roughly 65-70% of his diet. They are important because they contain everything that the bird is lacking in his daily diet. Loaded with a balanced nutrition profile pellets are a must for Pineapple. Select a high-quality brand available online or at any pet store. 

Fruits are another favorite of Pineapples in the wild as well as in captivity. Serve them a variety of fresh fruits like bananas, apples, grapes, pineapples, berries, blueberries, mangoes, pears, etc. These can be offered with or without peel. Slice them, dice them, or puree them before serving. The key is to keep them manageable for the bird to eat. Discard all the fruits kept uneaten for more than 5-6 hours. These might have grown germs.

Vegetables are the major source of greens for the Pineapple while in captivity. Offer them collard greens, beet greens, kale, or watercress along with some spinach to add some calcium to their feed. Apart from the leafy greens, dark vegetables are a great way to fulfill the bird’s Vitamin A requirements. Serve them sweet potatoes, pumpkin, or winter squash in small bite-sized pieces. 

Freshwater is a must to keep Pineapple hydrated, especially in hot and humid weather. Keep the supply of fresh water regularly at all times of the day. And during hot months, it is best to keep a back-up feeding bowl for the bird, in case the first one runs out of supply. Serve only clean drinkable-quality water. Keep changing the water every few hours to maintain hygiene. 

Cuttlebone is a must to keep Pineapple’s bones strong and healthy. The best way is to hang the cuttlebone inside his cage near a perch so that it is easy for him to chew it whenever he likes. This would add up as a beak-grinder for the bird and keep his beak in shape. 

Pineapple Conure Training

Pineapple Conures can be trained easily when they are young. A mature bird doesn’t respond well to the instructions. The step-up technique can be taught in the very beginning as it helps the bird owner to bond well with the pet. The wings of the Pineapple Conure must be clipped to prevent any accidents during training. These can later be allowed to grow once the bird has bonded well and knows his limits. It is also important to train the bird for displaying good behavior. Responding to the loud noises of the Pineapple Conure gives him the impression that loud behavior is good. Ignoring such calls will help to discourage this bad behavior and maintain a pleasant environment at home. 

Also, the bird owners must reward their pets on learning new things and showing good behavior. Nuts are a favorite of Pineapple Conures. Offering a variety of nuts sprinkled on their seed mix can delight these little creatures. These nuts are a great source of EFA and, therefore, improves brain functioning. Consider serving them chopped almonds or walnuts for a rewarding platter. Since these are high in fatty acids, their quantity must be kept low to prevent the accumulation of fat. Half a nut a day is sufficient for a Pineapple Conure.

Summing Up

Pineapple Conure is famous among bird lovers, especially those wanting to adopt a conure species who has a rather low noise level. With no less playful and social behavior, a Pineapple conure gives a tough competition to all its cousins nowadays. They are becoming a preferred companion parrot for many courtesy the loyalty and love they show