Also called Nanday parakeet, Black-hooded parakeet, Black-hooded conure
SpeciesShort profile
From Central South America: south-eastern Bolivia, south-western Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina, with the Pantanal as a stronghold. It favours palm savanna, scrub, open woodland and pasture. Free-living populations have also become established in Florida, California and several other places.12
Feathered; medium conure with a long, blue-edged tail
A mainly green conure with a striking black hood over the face and a black beak. The upper chest has a bluish wash, the flight feathers are dark, the long tail is edged in blue and the thighs show a splash of red. Males and females look alike.12
ColoursGreen bodyBlack face mask and beakBlue-tinged chest and tail edgesRed thighs1
Personality what they are like
Nanday conures are energetic, sociable birds that enjoy being part of the action. They can learn words and tricks, and they thrive on attention and mental challenges. Their voice is loud and chattery, and their beak is strong, so they tend to suit adults and older children who enjoy an animated, noisy companion.12
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High energy: needs generous daily time outside the cage, puzzle and foraging toys, and regular training or play to use up its energy.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Provide plenty of toys and bird-safe wood to chew, and regular opportunities to bathe.23
Home where they are happiest
A roomy cage for daily life; for aviary birds the World Parrot Trust recommends an aviary or suspended flight at least 2-3 m long.21
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Wild birds eat seeds, fruit, palm nuts, berries, flowers and buds. In the home, feed pellets plus a good share of fruit (around 30% of the diet in the World Parrot Trust guidance), vegetables, greens and some seeds.12
Company who they like around
Very gregarious. Outside the breeding season wild birds gather in big communal roosts that can hold hundreds of birds, and pets need a lot of company from their people.21
The story where it all began
The Nanday conure spent many years as the only member of its own genus, Nandayus. Genetic work later showed it belongs with the Aratinga conures such as the sun and jenday conures. It became widely kept as a pet, and escaped birds went on to found free-living flocks in several countries.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
1
Free-living flocks of Nanday conures live in Florida, where they number in the hundreds.2
2
Wild birds gather in communal roosts that can hold several hundred birds.2
3
At waterholes they mix with other bird species while drinking.2
4
Its tail is edged in blue and its thighs carry a small splash of red, easy to miss next to the black hood.1
Recognised by the official bits
IUCN Red List
Least Concern; the World Parrot Trust lists the population trend as increasing.2
Taxonomy
Monotypic. It was long placed in its own genus, Nandayus, before being moved into Aratinga after genetic studies.1
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Nanday Conure. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Fresh food and waterevery day
Cage linerevery 2 days
Full cleanevery week
Bath offerevery 3 days
Nails checkevery month
Beak checkevery month
Toy rotationevery week
Out-of-cage timeAbout 2 hours a dayevery day
Vet check-upevery year
Treats they will love homemade and simple
Parrot Salad
A quick, fresh mix of safe fruits and vegetables that provides essential vitamins and moisture. Perfect for a single serving to avoid spoilage.
You need
4 types of safe vegetables (e.g., carrot, broccoli, peas, kale)
2 types of safe fruit (e.g., apple, blueberry, pomegranate)
Handful of sprouted mustard or cress (or chopped dandelion leaves)
Handful of parrot seed mix
How
Wash all fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
Chop the vegetables and fruit into small, bird-safe pieces.
Mix the chopped produce with the sprouted greens in a bowl.
Stir in the seed mix until everything is lightly coated.
Serve immediately and remove any uneaten salad after a few hours.
How much: One serving per parrot, offered as part of their fresh food allowance.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Nanday Conure?
Offer fresh food and water daily. Furry Diary's starting plan is to refresh food and water every day. Follow the food label and your vet for exact amounts.12Pet Wiki plan
What does a Nanday Conure eat, and what should it never eat?
Feed pellets plus about 30% fruit, vegetables, greens, and some seeds. Never give avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, or salty foods. Always ask your vet for a full list of unsafe foods.12
How much space does a Nanday Conure need?
A roomy cage for daily life is needed, and for aviary birds the World Parrot Trust recommends an aviary or suspended flight at least 2-3 m long. Provide generous daily out-of-cage time, about 2 hours a day as per Furry Diary's plan.12Pet Wiki plan
What temperature, light or water does a Nanday Conure need?
Keep your bird in a warm, draft-free area with natural daylight cycles. Provide fresh water daily and offer regular baths. For exact temperature ranges, ask your exotic-pet vet.23Pet Wiki plan
How often should I clean a Nanday Conure's home?
Change the cage liner every 2 days and do a full cage clean every 7 days. Furry Diary's plan also suggests rotating toys weekly. Always use bird-safe cleaners. Pet Wiki plan
Can a Nanday Conure live with others?
Yes, they are very gregarious and enjoy company. They can live with other birds or people, but always supervise introductions. Ask a good breeder or vet for advice on safe cohabitation.12
How long does a Nanday Conure live?
They can live between 18.7 and 45 years with good care. Provide a healthy diet, regular vet check-ups, and lots of attention to help them thrive.12
Can I handle a Nanday Conure?
Yes, they are sociable and enjoy handling, but they have a strong beak and can be loud. Supervise children and build trust with gentle, positive interactions. Furry Diary's plan includes daily out-of-cage time for bonding.12Pet Wiki plan
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Jenday Conure
Sun Conure
Blue-crowned Conure