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Sun Conure (Aratinga solstitialis)
Also Known As: Yellow Conure
Sun Conures
Credit: © Sim Kay Seng
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Did You Know?
Although the Sun Conure is generally regarded as common in the wild records suggest that it occurs only very locally within a large range, making it more difficult to find.
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Status in the Wild
World Population:In the low hundreds (PsittaScene February 2009).
Range:
A.s. solstitialis: Restricted to C Guyana and Roroaima, far NE Brazil; also recorded in NW Surinam and SE Venezuela. A.s. pintoi: NE Brazil, in N Para and lower Rio Canuma in NE Amazonas.
Habitat:
Found up to 1200m (3936 ft) in savanna or dry forest with palm groves. Also found locally in flooded varzea scrub on both banks of the Amazon River.
Threat Summary:
Due to high demand in the pet trade this once common species has declined dramatically during the last twenty years. It has been heavily exported from Guyana during this time, leading its virtual extirpation from that country. An annual export quota of 600 birds was set by Guyana in the 1980s and it is thought that more than 2,200 were imported into the United States during this time. Trade is ongoing, and due to the ease with which birds can be attracted to bait (e.g. corn) and the large distances they will travel it is easy to trap all the individuals in an area. (BirdLife International, 2011)
IUCN Rating:
Endangered
Wild Diet:
Feeds on fruit, berries, nuts, buds and flowers; also legume pods, red cacti fruits and Malpighia berries.
CITES Rating:
Appendix II
Ecology:
Found in flocks of around 30 individuals. Seen in larger groups where fruit is abdundant.
Clutch and Egg Size:
3-4 rounded eggs, 29.5 x 23.5mm (1.1 x 0.8 in).
Breeding Season:
February
More Info Sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Conure
http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/pdf/links/neo/rev3/vol_3_1/ornitol%203_1_17_26.pdf
http://www.arkive.org/sun-parakeet/aratinga-solstitialis/
http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/species/overview?p_p_spp=186776
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