Green Cheek Mutations

A listing of the known mutations found in Green Cheek Conures...


Green Cheek Conures come in a variety of color combinations that can be obtained by contacting most breeders. Keep in mind that most of these mutations are very expensive still, but some of them can be obtained at quite a reasonible cost.


Mutatuions like the Cinnamon Green Cheek and the Yellow-Sided or Opaline Green Cheek are relatively affordable usually ranging in price from $200-$350 depending on the location, breeder and the splits that the bird may carry in genetic structure.




Photos obtained from www.aracaris.com.


Mutations like Nila the Pineapple Turquoise Green Cheek Conure still range in price from $1000-$1450 depending on the breeder. The plus side to mutations like her are that depending on who the male bird is that she is paired up with, you can end up with practically every color that the green cheek conure comes in!


There are several other mutations that are still not easily obtained by the public such as the American Dilute (follow this link to see photos of them...www.feathert.com)and the pied which is rumored to exist!


Keep in mind that even though these birds come in such a wide range of colors that they are NOT HYBRIDS, they are MUTATIONS. These are two very different things. Two different species aren't combined to create these colors. They occur naturally in the bird and birds displaying the desired colors and traits are then bred to enhance those traits.


I am working on my own breeding project now that involves the blue or "Parblue" genes within the Green Cheek Conure. I can't wait to see what I end up with!


Have a great day and remember to check back in with us for more news and updates.

Our New Flock Member! Nila....

Hey everyone out there, I thought I should introduce you to our new flock member. Her name is Nila (N-EYE-LA), she was born on December 17, 2007 in Pennsylvania. After a 4 hour trip to the outskirts of Pittsburg and back, we arrived home and started settling in our new friend, Nila.


Nila is a Pineapple Turquoise Green Cheek Conure, this means she has ALL of the genes to make offspring that are either Turquoise, pineapple, cinnamon, or yellow sided depending on who her mate is!


She is a pretty little girl that will get more colors on her after her first and second molt. Her father was breathtaking; he was a Pineapple Turquoise as well, and her mother was a Turquoise who was a split to something. I have requested the parents' records and breeder info for any future breeding that I may do with her.





Make sure you check out YouTube.com to see any videos of her that will be coming shortly!


Thanks everyone for helping me welcome this little girl into our family and please remember to email me with any questions or comments you may.


HAPPY SPRING!!!

Related Feature

The above article features related content.

Is a Parrot right for You?

I often get asked about my birds when people see them. I hear questions like, "How old are they? What do they eat?" And the big one, "Are they hard to take care of?"


Questions like these are important, since you will ultimately end up being the primary care provider to this wonderful creature. The problem lies in your perception of what these questions mean.


Most people don't do their homework before jumping into a commitment like taking care of an animal and this has usually has horrible consequences. You may end up giving the pet up for adoption simply because you weren't prepared for the added burden and commitment like you should have been, or you may end up neglecting the poor creature, even without knowing it. A parrot doesn't just need seeds and water in order to survive. They need attention, the will usually need a vitamin supplement if fed a primarily seed based diet, they need regular vet check ups to keep them healthy. I believe you see where I am going with this.


All pets alike need attention and the appropriate care for their species, without these things you could ultimately end up killing the animal that put its trust in you.


So back to the question that started this blog entry, "Is a parrot right for me?"


Are you willing to take your pet out of its cage and give him a couple hours out of your day, each and every day? Will you be willing to go to the grocery store just so that you can provide your feathered friend with the necessary fruits and vegetables to keep him/her healthy?


What about vet visits? You will have to locate an AVIAN VET. Not just any vet can do when dealing with birds. Birds have very sensitive pulmonary systems and are very easy to distress. These attributes make them as fragile as glass when dealing with medical situations. Any avian vet you go to should be certified.





If you are confident about dealing with all of these issues that have been pointed out in this entry then maybe you can afford to say that a parrot is right for you. I suggest finding books on your chosen species of bird that concern their care and also locating owners and/or breeders of your desired species so that you can get advice from them on what to expect.



Happy New Year Everyone!!!

Be Careful What You Feed Your Pets For The Holidays...

Picture used from http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/images/ChristmasTree2005_NM_sm.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.aoc.gov/cc/grounds/hol_trees/2005tree.cfm&h=400&w=316&sz=69&hl=en&start=70&sig2=reffk7x3B9paW2UIAYw6nA&um=1&tbnid=AQ5b9be5SVulGM:&tbnh=124&tbnw=98&eid=M35TR4HRNIOQeP7G-cgO&prev=





I know that with all the wonderful foods everyone will be preparing and eating this Holiday Season, the temptation to spoil our furry and/or feathered loved ones will be intense. There's no shame in treating your pets like one of the family but remember to ALWAYS research what types of foods are acceptable for your pets.



Birds are especially prone to getting sick or worse if fed the wrong things. Due to their high metabolic rates a parrot can literally die from the wrong food items just hours after consuming something their system deems toxic.



I always say, if it is questionable whether or not the item will make your pets sick just don't give it to them.


Below I have included some quick and simple recipes for your birds found at this link http://birds.about.com/od/birdfoodrcipes/Bird_Food_and_Treat_Recipes.htm

Cooking for Your Pet Bird: Banana Strips
From Alyson Burgess,
Your Guide to Pet Bird

If you are in the mood to treat your pet to a tasty and healthy snack, try whipping up a batch of these easy banana strips! These treats are highly recommended by my Sun Conure, Loco, and the simple recipe makes it easy for even the youngest bird owners to join in the fun. Beak Appetite!
INGREDIENTS:

* 1/2 Banana
* 1 Egg (with or without shell)
* 1 cup quick oats
* 1/2 cup wheat flour
* 1/8 cup millet
* 1/2 cup water or unsweetened fruit juice

PREPARATION:

* Blend all ingredients together in a mixing bowl.

* Spread the resulting paste onto a clean, microwave safe plate.

* Microwave on high heat for 3 1/2 minutes.

* Remove from microwave and let cool.

* Cut into shapes or strips, and serve!

Leftovers can be refrigerated and stored for up to 3 days.



Cooking for Your Pet Bird: Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
From Alyson Burgess,
Your Guide to Pet Birds.

Toasted Pumpkin Seeds are a great source of protein and other vital nutrients. Just remember -- don't toss out those pumpkin "guts" when carving time comes around!
INGREDIENTS:

* Fresh Pumpkin Seeds
* 1 tsp. Vegetable Oil

PREPARATION:

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

* Cut a hole in the top of your pumpkin and remove all of the seeds and strings. It may help to use a large metal spoon to scrape the inner walls of the pumpkin.

* Seperate the seeds from the stringy bits and pumpkin pulp and place them in a clean bowl.

* Wash the seeds in warm water to remove any pulp that may cling to their shells.


* Grease an alumininum baking sheet with a minimal amount of pure vegetable oil. Please make sure that you DO NOT USE A NON-STICK BAKING SHEET! Place the seeds on the sheet and bake for 30-45 minutes, turning them about every 5 minutes to prevent burning.

* Once the seeds are dry and toasty, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool. Then serve them to your bird and see if he will perform some tricks for you in return for the tasty treats. You may be in for a big surprise!

*If you would like to enjoy this snack with your bird, set a handful of the raw seeds aside and toss them with salt and your favorite seasonings before baking. NEVER share these seasoned treats with your pet. A bird's tender digestive system cannot handle salty snacks like ours can.




I hope that everyone of you enjoys your Holidays as well as your feathered and furred companions!

Splish Splash....Conures takin' a Bath!

I love watching these guys preen, especially after taking a bath. They are hilarious.

Baby and Lucky!

I thought that you guys might want to see some more photos and video of my two favorite birds in the whole world. These guys keep me entertained with their antics and goofy behavior. You can see Lucky's scissor beak clearly in the photos within this embedded video.