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Nanday Conure

Black-hooded Parakeet - Aratinga nenday or Nandayus nenday Family: Psittacidae

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Nandayus nenday Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Dave Forsyth

   This juvenile Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is about 5 months old. He is a super sweet bird by anybody's standards!

   Typical behavior of the Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is demonstrated by the cute little youngster 'Nan', pictured above.

   "Nan" loves to come out of the cage. He comes to the front of the cage every time someone comes near. He likes to tumble and toss everything in his cage. He knocks his perches down, empties his water as soon as you put it in, and tips over everything that is not securely attached...all for FUN! He has proven to be a very good escape artist, too. His cage doors must be securely fastened with wire.

For more information about the care of Conures see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Conure

Scientific Name: Nandayus nenday
Syn: Aratinga nenday

Distribution:
   The Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is native to southeastern Bolivia, southern Mato Grosso, northern Argentina, Chaco Formosa, and Paraguay. It is also been introduced in North America with colonies reported in the southern and eastern parts of the United States.

Description:
   The head is black, along with the cheeks and throat, which looks like a cap. The rest of the body is green, the throat and breast are blue, and the feet are red.

Size - Weight:
   Mature birds are about 11-12 inches long and weigh 5.2 ounces.

Care and feeding:
   The main diet of the Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet should primarily be nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. A commercially prepared pelleted diet can also be beneficial.

   See About Conures: Housing and About Conures: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:
  Wild conures are friendly and peaceful. They live together in large flocks, often with monk parakeets.

Activities: Loves to climb and play. Provide lots of toys

Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy Rob Hast

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Nanday Conures are sexually mature at three years of age. The hen will lay two to six eggs which incubate for 24-26 days. The cock usually sits on or near the nesting box. The parents should be fed food that is enriched with calcium and mineral supplements.

Potential Problems:
   As with many Aratinga species, the Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet can be noisy, they have a high pitched screech that can be annoying.
   See About Conures: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability: The Nanday Conure or Black-hooded Parakeet is readily available.

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Latest Comments
I have a nanday conure and his name is Paulie, I love him so dearly, he talks a little and barks like a little puppy and he even loves to dance to music. Paulie is the Boss around here at night. When he say's goodnight, it's goodnight! He wants the lights out. I would Love to get him a female mate for him. Fran Fran 2008-10-24
These pets are usually friendly when you treat them right. Jordan 2008-02-08
My nanday's name is Charlie and he is such a little attention seeker! I let him out every morning and he stays out until 10:30 and then goes back in to sleep. He has to be with you ALL the time, I can't even go to the toilet without him flying in and sitting on my shoulder. He loves music and bobs his head up and down to the beat, he's adorable. But as adorable as he is, he's very naughty. He's started flying onto the table when we eat and stealing things from our plates! he doesn't like the vacuum cleaner, and lets you know this by screaming annoyingly. He also doesn't like it when you put your coat on, he's obviously learned that when you do this you are leaving him for a while. He loves being cuddled. He sits on my chest just under my chin and when I stroke his head he closes his eyes and his feathers expand!, he makes a purring sort of noise, and sometimes he even falls asleep! I also make kissing noises and he mimics the noise back to me. He's a funny little thing thats for sure and I wouldn't ever part with him. terri thomas 2008-01-09
Summer and our third year with Coo, and learning about Hormonal Rage. I got my nose well attacked today. A new cage in the living room and Coo is getting territorial about it. I uncovered the cage and let him out early this morning, MISTAKE. Should stick with a late morning schedule and keep the cage covered 12 hours until the end of July when the hormones slow down and the biting stops. Cuddly bird but always gets mean in the summer! Love my Nanday, hate mating season. C Rice 2007-06-19
my nanday's name is is bob. very affectionate and loves apples. loud and needs lots of time. Tyler 2007-05-08
Some of the coolest comments:
One day my mom and myself were walking out of petsmart. A lady was walking to the store with a nanday and i told her what a beautiful bird. The woman asked me if i wanted her. She said the birds name was 2k i said sure. well to make a long story short, 2k is very happy she gets to come out of her cage when she is ready the first day she was very nippy but now she is fine.She gets along with my children and myself. She a pleasure to have with our family and she rules the roost Thanks Cindy cynthia 2003-09-28
I have the same bird, i got him from my sister, she couldn't take his screeming any more, and i felt sorry for him. No he lives with me and like to play a lot takes a shower with me every morning. His cages is always open so he flyes everywere in the house, and loves it, dosen't screm that much. I am very happy with him. Needs a lot of attention. Read a lot about those birds before buying!!! Olga 2003-07-31

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS