July 2016
Species Spotlight: Nanday Conures 
By Jennifer Carter, SCP Volunteer


Distribution/ Range
  • Nandays are endemic to southeastern Bolivia, Brazil (southern Mato Grosso), northern Argentina, Chaco Formosa, and central Paraguay.
     
  • There are self-sustaining populations in North America with colonies reported in the southern and eastern parts of the Nandayus United States, such as southern California (specifically Malibu and Agoura Hills), and Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale).
Description
  • The Nanday Conure is approximately twelve and a half to fourteen and a half inches long and like many conures it is primarily bright green in color. The most distinguishing physical factor that sets this beautiful conure apart from other species is the black "hood" from which this species gets the nickname the "black hooded parakeet." The black facial markings appear in the shape of a hood or a mask over the face and beak. The Nanday Conure can also be identified by their black trailing flight feathers on their wings and a blue tip to their long tail. The thigh feathers of the Nanday Conure are usually red in color and the upper portion of the chest is a blue-green hue where the lower area of the chest is a much paler green tone.
     
  • Categorized as one of the loudest conures, they can be located by their loud and shrill screech-like calls while in flight, when alarmed, or by their shrill chattering while perching. Like all parrots they are particularly vocal early morning and in the late afternoon. But they will also voice throughout the day to maintain contact with their flock.
Reproduction
  • Nandays typically nest in tree cavities. The average clutch consisting of  3 to 4 eggs.
  • After raising their young, they will form large communal roosts until the next breeding season.
  • Nanday Conures are sexually mature at three years of age. The hen will lay two to six eggs which incubate for 24-26 days.
  • No sexual Dimorphism- Males and females look generally alike. Immature birds have less blue on the throat and breast; and have a shorter tail. The maturity of a Nanday can be told by the edges of its black hood: if the hood has a ragged edge of brown, then the bird is over a year old.
Diet
  • Nandays like all wild parrots require well balanced diet of nuts, seeds, fruits, grain and vegetables.
Fun Facts
  • Nanday conures used to be grouped with the Aratinga genus, but were given their own genus Nandayus nenday.
  • They are able to interbreed and produce fertile young with such species as Jenday and Sun conures.
  • Their lifespan averages 20-25 years. 
  • Their endangered status is of Lower risk/ Least concern.
     
References:

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