Quaker Parrot Vs. the Sun Conure Differences

The Quaker parrot also known as the monk parakeet and the sun conure also referred to as the sun parakeet have various similarities.

You may feel that you can substitute one for the other but is this really the case? Both birds exist in the wild but that does not mean that you will not find them flourishing in the pet trade.

These two birds are some of the desired birds in the pet world. The parakeets should live to become between the ages of 25 years and 30 years of age.

However, this depends on the quality of life that they are exposed to and the ecosystem within which they are reared. The two birds can attain a maximum length of around 29 and 30 centimeters.

The other essential similarities between these two birds are that they feed on the same types of food.

This is an issue that certainly affects a lot with respect to having any of the two birds as a pet. The fact that they feed on the same food implies that the cost of having them as pets and the issues that will influence the care accessed for the birds will be similar.

Deciding on which to choose appears to be difficult between the quaker parrot and the sun conure. However, the similarities do not end there. Both birds come from the same analogous geographical location.

This has a lot of influence with respect to your experience in having them as pets. It appears that you should expect a lot of similarities with respect to the experience of having any of the two birds.

However, that is not the case, there are differences between the two birds that can still influence which of the two is most suitable for you.

Here are some of the issues that would bring out the difference and assist in making a suitable decision for yourself.

Quaker Parrot Vs. Sun Conure

Quaker parrot and the Sun conure Habitat

The original habitat of the birds is important, especially in knowing the environment that will be suitable for the birds.

The birds have adapted to live in their habitat such that when you need to domesticate them as pets, they will easily survive in environments that are like their natural environment.

You may need to adjust or improvise to ensure that your intended home for the bird meets its needs.

The decision on which of the two birds would be suitable for you is also influenced by the suitability of the home that you intend to have for them for their natural features and their evolution path.

However, for the two birds, this may not have a significant influence on the choice that you make.

The Quaker parrot and the sun conure are both birds from South American countries. Both birds are adapted to live in wooded areas and the open country.

The Quaker parrot and the sun conure have the necessary features to live in dry areas with scrub forests.

The good thing with these kinds of birds is that they can live in any other place owing to their familiarization with areas that are wild and hard. They can easily fit in any environment.

However, Quaker parrots are quick learners. They have learned to live in different environments including in North America and Europe.

These birds are more likely to adjust to the ecosystem that is created for them than the Sun conure.

On the other hand, the sun conure population has been widely affected by the change in their ecosystem to the extent that the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources has listed the birds to be endangered.

This is the only particular difference between the Quaker parrot and the Sun conure that you can consider with respect to the habitat.

However, for both Quaker parrot and the Sun conure you will need to create an aviary that is at least 9 feet long if you are holding them in captivity.

The bird’s physical appearance

The physical appearance of the two birds is one of the distinct differentiating aspects between the two birds.

Depending on what you are looking for, you can choose between the two birds and which one you would prefer to have.

If the beauty of the bird is the primary issue, then the difference in physical appearance between the Quaker parrot and the Sun conure is an important issue of consideration.

The Quaker parrot comes in gray and green colors as their basic colors. If the bird has a gray forehead and its cheeks, abdomen, and throat are pale gray, then you are looking at the Quaker parrot.

You can also identify the Quaker parrots by the feathers that are below the abdomen area which have an olive-green color that transitions into yellow. The back of the bird going to its head has a green color.

On the other hand, the Sun conure has feathers that are red, yellow, and orange. These are the main colors that you will notice when you look at the bird.

The wings of the bird have an orange coloring with various shades of green. You can also differentiate the birds by the beaks if these colors are confusing.

The Quaker parrot has a pinkish-brown beak while the Sun conure has black beaks. However, both the Quaker parrot and the Sun conure have white patches around their eyes.

As is evidently described, both birds have colorful appearances. The colors of the bird are deliberate and stand out making them not just visually appealing but identifiable from a group of other birds.

Both birds have the definitive colors of a parrot. However, the representation of these colors and the positioning of the different colors paint a different output.

Physical appearance is the easiest way to tell the two birds apart. The physical appearance of the two birds may also be the definitive feature that allows you to make a choice especially if you value aesthetics.

A comparison of Quaker parrot and the Sun conure feeding habits

You cannot ignore the feeding habits of the two birds especially if you intend to have them in captivity or caged. 

Before making the decision on whether to get a Quaker parrot and the Sun conure, you must understand what it takes to raise each of them.

This is a long-term decision that allows you to be prepared for the task ahead and the potential expense of having either the Quaker parrot or the Sun conure as a pet that relies on you for its food and healthy life.

The aspect of the diet is thus a point of comparison that is critical. However, this decision is inconsequential.

The Quaker parrot and the Sun conure take similar diets, especially in captivity. You will need a supply of fruit, greens, seeds, vegetables, and cheese and you can also buy commercial pallets whether you have a Quaker parrot or the Sun conure.

However, in the wild, there are slight differences between the birds. The Quaker parrot has a wider variety of foods that it takes compared to the Sun conures.

This is largely attributed to its habitat which offers a variety of options. In addition to the mentioned foods that both birds eat, in the wild Quacker parrots eat roots, insects, and cacti.

So if you get a Quaker parrot and you see it eating much more variety than we have described, this is just its wild nature.

However, the number of birds that you can have for both the Quaker parrot and the Sun conure will rely on the amount of food that you have and the space that is available for their occupation.

It is important that the birds eat sufficiently. This means that if you add an additional Quaker parrot or the Sun conure depending on your choice to have, then you should also increase the ration of food that you provide to these birds when they are caged.

Any variation in their behaviors?

When it comes to birds, especially parrots, their behavior matters. The behavior of the pet determines how much you will enjoy their company.

The behavior also determines the level of interaction between the pet owner and the pet to the extent that you can determine whether the pet is in perfect health or in some level of distress.

It is not by surprise that prospective pet owners would want to know the behavior of the pets that they are to purchase.

There is a difference between the Quaker parrot and the Sun conure with respect to behavior.

Quaker parrots are more social compared to Sun conure. Quaker parrots usually live in flocks and they build community nests as a flock.

To understand the nature of their social life, an assessment of their way of life in the wild is necessary.

Quaker parrots build nests that have two chambers that allow them to live together. In addition, you will find these nests near humans and even within proximity to other birds provided their food source is close by.

This aspect has resulted in the birds naturally becoming social. They are comfortable living in the busy life of communities around humans.

On the other hand, there is no significant information on the behavior of Sun conures in the wild because of their isolated lifestyle in the wild.

Much information that is available about the birds is based on the assessment of the captive bird.

However, in captivity, the birds appear to be very playful. They will demand from you at least two hours of play every day. The birds are also loud.

If you want a quiet bird, then the Sun conures might not be your preferred option. These birds do not shy away from making very loud noises especially when they are excited or when they feel that you have ignored them.

Environmental issues involved

You do not want to have a sullen bird in your home because the environment within which you live is not suitable for it.

It is important to compare the two birds based on the right environment to have them. You can thus assess the environment that you have and decide on the right pet that will comfortably and healthily live within the space that you will provide for it.

However, there is not much difference between the Quaker parrot and the Sun conure when it comes to the environment because their original habitat is almost similar.

While the Quaker birds originate from regions that have a tropical climate, you will not have much problem changing their environment.

These birds adapt first to their new habitat. The birds do not face the threat of endangerment because they can live in any location and adapt to a fulfilling life.

You can thus freely choose to have a Quaker parrot with little fear that the environment that you bring them to would be harsh for them to live fully.

On the other hand, the Sun conures are considered endangered because of the destruction of the tropical environment.

The increase in the level of pet trade is also mentioned as one of the causes of the decline in the population of the birds.

This means that the ability of the birds to change their environment and live a fulfilled life affects the survival of the species.

If you chose this bird, you may want to ensure that you have the right environment for the species. You can do this by modifying their environment to suit their environmental requirements.

Choosing between a Quaker parrot and the Sun conure may not be easy. Both pets are adorable and they have features that are almost comparable.

The suitable choice boils down to what you have to offer and the kind of environment that you must host your choice.

The Quaker parrot has most of the advantages with respect to the ease of hosting it as a pet within your location of choice.

However, the Sun conures scarcity, and its unique attributes make it valuable as a pet in the home. Your intentions can thus be guided by what you expect of your experience with a pet at home.

Taniya

94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day. In 2007, I realized that I was made for saving Animals. My father is a Vet, and I think every pet deserves one. I started this blog, “InPetCare”, in 2019 with my father to enlighten a wider audience.