The Molina Parakeet is a species of parakeet measuring in adulthood about 25 cm from head to tail. Its plumage is predominantly green, mainly on the head, hence its other name "Green-cheeked Parakeet". Its life expectancy in captivity can be up to 25 years, or even 30 if bred in good conditions.
The natural habitat area of the Molina Parakeet
The Molina Parakeet lives in the wild in South America. The species is divided into 5 subspecies, differentiated by the location of their habitat and variations in the colors of the feathers:
- 1 subspecies lives in the primary forests of eastern Bolivia,
- another has its range spread between north-eastern Bolivia and west-central Mato Grosso (Brazil),
- another is located in the south-east of Mato Grosso,
- another in the Palmaito and Chiquitos regions of Bolivia,
- And one in northeastern Argentina.
- Hypoxantha mutation: the flanks of the bird are essentially yellow and the red color on the belly is reduced,
- Opaline mutation: increase in red color on the belly,
- Cinnamon mutation: the head is between white and very light brown,
- Opaline Cinnamon mutation: the mutation is also called 'pineapple' because the bird has a light head and a more or less red belly,
- turquoise mutation: the belly is no longer red at all and the bird is generally greenish blue,
- Opaline turquoise mutation: the bird is greenish blue with a small presence of red on the belly,
- Cinnamon turquoise mutation: the mutation is also called 'silver'; the plumage of the bird is predominantly light with somewhat blue wings,
- Opaline Cinnamon turquoise mutation: the mutation is also called 'blue pineapple'; This is the turquoise Cinnamon version with a little red on the belly,
- Misty mutation: the bird has darker plumage than the others,
- dilute mutation: the plumage of the bird is pastel with wings with brighter colors,
- Suncheek mutation: it combines the characteristics of Opaline, cinnamon, and dilute. The bird has a red tail and torso, but a light head, yellow flanks, and greenish-yellow wings,
- Mint mutation: it is a combination of turquoise and dilute mutations; the bird is mint color in the water,
- Lutino mutation: the bird is all yellow with red eyes.
General description
The green-cheeked parakeet (Pyrrhura molinae), is almost entirely green. It has bronze on the chest, red on the base of the abdomen and tail as well as blue on the flight feathers. It also has a black area on its head. And most surprisingly, his cheeks are green (I bet you didn't know that!). Like all other species of conure, 'green cheeks' have a bare ring of feathers around the eye (peri ophthalmic ring) and a long tapered tail.
It is a bird native to South America. It is found more precisely in Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. It measures about 26 cm (from the top of the head to the tip of the tail) and its weight is about 70 grams. Its life expectancy in captivity can be up to 30 years.
In nature, it is a bird that lives in forests and is usually seen in wide flocks at the tops of trees. It is not uncommon to see groups of twenty or more. They feed mainly on seeds, berries, fruits, nuts, various vegetation, and insects.
Mutations
A Molina Parakeet generally has the following description: predominantly green plumage, breast covered with dark brown and light golden scaled feathers, black forehead, crown, nape, beak and legs, blue feathers, red tail, white eye circles, and brown irises.
However, the plumage and eye colour may be different, but may not constitute a separate subspecies. Indeed, in budgies, it is not uncommon to observe a mutation, a term that refers to a change in physical characteristics in the young compared to the characteristics of the pair of parents.
The mutation is a genetic modification visible from birth. Here are different mutations observed in the Molina Parakeet:
The Molina Parakeet is an intelligent bird
Belonging to the parrot family, this small bird is intelligent like all birds of this large family. He is extremely curious and likes to carefully observe his environment.
Quickly understanding the meaning of the gestures, the Conures of Molina can quite beg for treats from their owner. They can also do stupid things, such as undoing the links of the various objects attached to the cage. More annoying or even detrimental, they can open the hatches of the cage. So you have to keep an eye on them!
It is all the more important to teach them some basic commands. Given their intelligence, learning will be quick, but it will need to be maintained regularly. The most important of these is the "Step-Up" command, which causes the bird to get on the finger of its owner. This will allow you to get the bird out of its cage. The remainder is the other essential command: it consists in making the bird come to you, either by words, sounds, or gestures. It will thus return more easily in case of running away.
The Molina Parakeet needs interaction
It is a bird that requires a lot of attention. A bored Parakeet will live shorter: it needs to be stimulated by various interactions. If the bird is alone, it will be necessary to play with it and provide it with toys and objects to gnaw on (to be renewed regularly).
Acquiring several specimens allows birds to have fun with each other. But obviously, it makes more noise. Because this bird manifests itself regularly throughout the day through vocalizations, to make itself understood or to express its discontent and desires. This can, in the long run, become tiring.
It is therefore essential to think carefully before you decide to acquire one or more Conures of Molina.
Tips for the cage of the Molina Parakeet
The Molina Parakeet is an active bird that likes to move. It, therefore, needs a minimum of space: for a single individual, the cage must measure at least 70 cm wide by 60 cm high and 40 cm deep. When they are several birds, the width stretches to 120 cm wide for the same height and depth.
Placing nests in the cage is essential because Molina Parakeets like to sleep there, even outside during breeding seasons.
Tips for feeding Molina Conures
Molina Parakeets are granivorous and frugivorous.
On the seed side, industrial mixtures for large parakeets are quite suitable.
On the fruit side, you can make your own pâté from egg and vegetables and/or fruit cut into small pieces and mixed.
Small pieces alone can also be given to peck at, according to the rhythm of the seasons: apple, grape, peach, kiwi, carrot, zucchini, cucumber, etc.
Do not forget, of course, to provide the bird with clean and fresh water at will.
If your Molina Conures reproduce, you must increase the intake of vitamins during the breeding period: sprouted seeds, and ready-made vitamin supplements. Calcium is also important for the female: a cuttlefish bone must be made available before and after laying.
Temperament
Green-cheeked Conures are small, affectionate beings, who usually like to snuggle in the palm of their hand or neck. They sneak everywhere: in our sleeves, in our sweaters, under our covers, they like to feel our presence near them. This personality trait makes them very endearing. They are loyal and devoted to their favorite humans. They are cuddly little birds that are not asked for long to come and give kisses. Conures are known to easily lie on their backs in the hand of their human. These are birds that will like to sleep in small tents designed specifically for this purpose.
Living with a small Conure is a bit like living with a young child. Children can, be curious, energetic, noisy, and always where they shouldn't be doing what they shouldn't do. If you give them the opportunity, the Conures will act the same way. Of their curious nature, we must always monitor them and try to foresee before them what they will intend to do. They have the annoying habit of wanting to explore things they shouldn't be approaching. They are often too adventurous and it can be risky for them. Take the time to explore your home and identify what could be dangerous for a little beak eager to chew. Beware of electrical wires, stove rings that are still hot, toilet bowls, unstored cleaning products, cushions and blankets in which he could hide, poisonous plants, etc.
Energetic by nature, they have a great need to move. They are skilled climbers and avid chewers. A Conure, despite its small size, needs a large cage to be able to spend its energy as it pleases. He must also have a lot of toys nearby to shred, and a layout that allows him to satisfy his thirst for climbing. It is also necessary to allow a lot of time out of his cage to allow him to stretch his wings. Without all this, the parakeet will get bored and unwanted behaviors, such as yelling and biting, will appear.
The Green-cheeked parakeet is a gregarious bird that needs to feel accepted by its group. It is a very interactive bird, it always wants to be part of the action, regardless of the activity in progress. 'Ah! Cool, we cook! Ah! Great, let's clean up! Ah! Great, we're playing Monopoly!' Everything, really everything can interest him! The more you include him in the daily activities of the house, the happier and more emotionally solid he will be.
Under its clownish appearance, the green-cheeked parakeet is a very intelligent bird that needs both physical and mental stimulation. To prevent him from getting bored, we must constantly find activities that will stimulate him. Conures excel in games that consist of emptying and re-filling toy boxes. They can also learn a few tricks, such as saying 'Hello' and 'Goodbye' by raising their paw and imitating the snow blower by moving quickly towards us with their beaks stuck on the table.
At rest, the green-cheeked parakeet may look like a harmless little angel, but don't be fooled! Once well rested, you may be dealing with a stubborn and narrow-minded bird that thinks it can scare the Doberman out of the house. In their heads, the Conures think they are the most powerful parrots in the world, and I would even go so far as to say of the entire animal kingdom. We should find a way to remind them that on the scale they are barely 70 grams!
Conures also have a bad reputation for being dirty. Conures love to clean their cage by shredding fruits, vegetables, and paper from the bottom and pushing it all out of the cage on our floors and walls. In addition, being skilled climbers who like to walk from bar to cage bar, I can bet you that they will quickly be soiled with droppings and leftover food. But when you expect it, it's always worse! Paradoxically, they are very clean of their person! The majority of Conures love to bathe in anything that looks like water!
On the vocal side, they are known to be a quite noisy relative to their size. The noise is not comparable to what a macaw or cockatoo can do, but it can still bother more than one. The decibel level will grow exponentially with the number of Conures we have.
Despite all these characteristics, it seems that the genus Pyrrhura, to which the green-cheeked parakeet belongs, is quieter in nature than the genus Aratinga (another widespread subspecies of the Conure family) ... A chance!
Conclusion
Often considered to be the next step for a person wishing to have a large parrot, the green-cheeked parakeet has all the personality of the great parrot but is compacted into a small body. 'In the little jars, the best ointments! ', could proclaim in heart, as a slogan, a peaceful community of Conures! They have so much to offer, they are interactive, fun, intelligent, and demanding, and at the end following the adoption of a Conure, we come to think, that we do not need a bigger parrot!
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