Brilliant yellow and orange, affectionate, playful — and loud far out of proportion to a bird that weighs barely a hundred grams.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Aratinga solstitialis |
| Origin | Roraima in northern Brazil, southern Guyana and southern Venezuela |
| Length | 30 cm (12 in) |
| Weight | 100–120 g (3.5–4.2 oz) |
| Lifespan | 20–30 years |
| Noise level | Extreme for its size |
| Experience | Intermediate |
| Conservation | Endangered |
Temperament
Suns are outgoing, cuddly and endlessly playful, and they bond quickly and strongly. The problem is volume. Their contact call is piercing and frequent, and prospective owners consistently underestimate it because the bird is small. Almost every Sun Conure surrendered to a rescue is surrendered for noise.
Care
Otherwise straightforward: a good pelleted base with fresh vegetables, plenty of toys, and daily out-of-cage time. They are active and benefit from flight. Their strong bond means a lone bird left alone all day is likely to become a screaming bird.
Notes
Despite being common in captivity, the species is Endangered in the wild — a striking mismatch, and the result of intensive historical trapping across a small natural range.