Sun Conures are the bird people fall in love with from a photograph and then have to think hard about. They are as spectacular as they look — flame-orange, gold and green, endlessly affectionate — and they are, honestly, one of the loudest parrots you can keep in a house.
This guide covers both halves of that, because the noise is the single thing that decides whether a Sun Conure works in your home.
TL;DR: The Sun Conure at a Glance
- Scientific name: Aratinga solstitialis
- Size: 12 inches, 100–123 grams
- Lifespan: 20–30 years with good care
- Noise level: 9/10 — this is the highest rating we give any bird we raise
- Talking ability: 4/10 — a few words at best
- Beginner friendly: 5/10
- Care difficulty: 6/10
- Minimum cage: 30×24×36 inches
- Out-of-cage time: 3–5 hours daily
- Price at Parrot Bliss: $500–$800 — see current availability
In one sentence: a walking sunset with the personality to match — bold, cuddly, and unmistakably loud.
What Is a Sun Conure, Really?
The Sun Conure is a medium-small South American parrot, about 12 inches long and weighing a little over 100 grams. Adults are predominantly orange and yellow with green in the wings and tail; babies feather in far greener and brighten as they mature.
They are flock birds by nature, and that shapes everything about how they behave in a house. A Sun Conure does not want to be near you — it wants to be on you. Left alone too long, it will call for its flock, and its call carries.
The Noise: Read This Before Anything Else
We rate Sun Conure noise at 9 out of 10. That is not a hedge. Their contact call is a piercing shriek that carries through walls and closed doors, and they use it when they are happy, bored, excited, or simply checking where you are.
What that means practically:
- Houses, not apartments. Shared walls and Sun Conures are a bad combination, and in a state full of HOAs and condos that is worth thinking through honestly before you buy.
- It cannot be trained away. You can reduce boredom screaming with enrichment and routine, but the contact call is normal, healthy behavior for the species.
- Everyone in the household has to be on board. This is the most common reason Sun Conures get rehomed.
If that rules them out, say so early — we would rather point you toward a quieter species we raise than place a bird badly.
Sun Conure Temperament: What People Fall In Love With
Three things people love
- The cuddling. Sun Conures genuinely enjoy physical affection — being held, snuggled, kissed, and tucked inside shirts. Very few parrots are this openly affectionate.
- The color. There is no subtle way to say it: they are one of the most striking birds in aviculture.
- The bond. They attach hard to their primary person and stay interested in that person all day.
Three things to be ready for
- The volume, as above.
- They are not talkers. At 4/10, some pick up a handful of words, but nobody buys a Sun Conure for conversation.
- They need you. 3–5 hours out of the cage daily is not a nice-to-have for a flock bird this social.
High Yellow Sun Conures
You will see “high yellow” Sun Conures advertised, and the term is widely misunderstood. A high yellow is a Sun Conure bred over generations to carry far more yellow and no green — and critically, it is born that way. It does not turn yellow later.
The clearest test happens in the nest: a normal Sun Conure baby feathers in with green across the back and wings, and a high yellow simply never grows that green in. You are looking for the absence of green, not for a bird that is brighter than its clutchmates.
We have written that up in detail — see what a high yellow Sun Conure actually is, including how to tell one as a baby and what to ask a breeder.
What to Feed Your Sun Conure
Aim for roughly 70% pellets, 22% vegetables, 5% fruit and 3% treats. Pellets carry the nutrition; vegetables provide variety and something to work at; fruit and treats are for training and bonding rather than bulk.
A seed-only diet is the most common avoidable health problem in conures. Seed is a reward, not a meal plan.
Housing Your Sun Conure: Cage, Space, and Enrichment
Minimum cage size is 30×24×36 inches — larger is better for a bird this active. Plan on 3–5 hours of out-of-cage time daily, 10–12 hours of sleep, a bath twice weekly, and an annual avian vet check.
Sun Conures chew, climb and forage constantly. Rotate toys, give them things to destroy on purpose, and expect to replace perches.
Sun Conure vs. Similar Species: A Quick Comparison
Sun Conure vs. Quaker Parrot: the Quaker is markedly quieter (6/10 against 9/10) and a far better talker (8/10 against 4/10). The Sun Conure is more physically affectionate and more colorful. If noise matters at all, the Quaker wins.
Sun Conure vs. Caique: both are playful, but the Caique is quieter and more acrobatic while the Sun Conure is cuddlier and louder.
Sun Conure vs. Parrotlet: the parrotlet is far quieter and far smaller, but nowhere near as openly affectionate.
Sun Conure vs. Lineolated Parakeet: the Linnie is the calmest and quietest small parrot we raise — close to the opposite end of the scale.
Common Questions About Sun Conures
Are Sun Conures loud?
Yes — honestly, yes. Sun Conures have a piercing call that can be heard through walls. They are best for houses, not apartments. If you can accept the noise, you get one of the most affectionate parrots in the world in return.
Do Sun Conures talk?
Some Sun Conures pick up a small vocabulary, but they are not known as strong talkers. They are far more famous for their volume, color, and cuddliness than their words.
How long do Sun Conures live?
Sun Conures live 20 to 30 years with good care. Bringing one home is a multi-decade commitment — they will be part of your family for a long time.
Are Sun Conures cuddly?
Extremely. Sun Conures love physical affection — being held, snuggled, kissed, and tucked into shirts. They form intense bonds with their primary person and want to be on you constantly.
How much does a Sun Conure cost?
Our hand-raised Sun Conures are priced at $500–$800. This includes weaning care, a starter supply of food, a care sheet, and a health guarantee.
Are Sun Conures good for beginners?
They rate 5/10. A hand-fed Sun Conure is affectionate and forgiving, but the noise level and the daily time requirement make them a poor fit for someone who is not fully committed.
Sun Conure Quick-Start Checklist
- Be honest about your housing — house rather than apartment, and everyone on board with the noise
- Cage of at least 30×24×36 inches
- A pelleted base diet with vegetables daily
- 3–5 hours of out-of-cage time each day
- Toys you are willing to see destroyed, rotated regularly
- A quiet, dark sleeping spot for 10–12 hours
- An avian vet identified before the bird comes home
- A plan for the next 20–30 years
Thinking About Adding a Sun Conure to Your Flock?
We hand-raise Sun Conures in West Palm Beach, Florida. Every baby is hand-fed and weaned at its own pace. You can see our available Sun Conures here, or read about visiting our Florida nursery in person if you are local.
Call us on (561) 328-4944 — and ask about the noise. We will tell you the truth about it.
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