Head to head
Sun Conure vs Green-Cheeked Conure
The sun conure and green-cheeked conure are both popular pet parrots from South America, but their wild conservation status and typical temperament set them clearly apart.
| Sun Conure | Green-Cheeked Conure | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Aratinga solstitialis | Pyrrhura molinae |
| Body colour | Vivid golden-orange | Green with dusky cheek patches |
| Typical voice | Loud, piercing call | Notably quieter than most conures |
| Suitability for close-quarters living | Lower, due to loud calls | Higher, valued for quieter voice |
| Wild population trend | Severely declined | Stable |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Native range | Restricted area of northeastern South America | Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina |
| Habitat | Savanna, forest | Forest, rainforest |
Sun Conure vs Green-Cheeked Conure: common questions
Why is the sun conure Endangered while the green-cheeked conure is not?
The sun conure has suffered a severe decline in its wild population driven heavily by trapping for the international pet trade, while the green-cheeked conure has remained widespread and stable across its native range, without facing the same intensity of historical trapping pressure.
Which conure is quieter, the sun conure or the green-cheeked conure?
The green-cheeked conure is considerably quieter, a trait that has made it especially popular among keepers concerned about noise in shared or close-quarters living spaces, while the sun conure produces a loud, piercing, far-carrying call typical of many larger conure species.
How can you tell a sun conure from a green-cheeked conure?
The sun conure has a body covered almost entirely in vivid golden-orange plumage, while the green-cheeked conure instead has a mostly green body with a darker, dusky patch across each cheek, two very different colour patterns despite both being similarly sized conures.