Prices differ anywhere from $150 to as much as $400; they look pretty similar, their sizes are similar (a few inches don't seem too significant), and from what I understand about sun conures, they're loud as hell. Doesn't seem to be worth the extra cash.

Do sun conures tend to be smarter? Or is it just because they're more difficult to breed and house?

It is because Sun Conures are threatened in the wild. They are more rare than Green Cheeks and other small Conures.

I have personally found GCs to be smarter than Suns in my experience.

Me thinks the price difference is because the sun is flashier! Sad to say, I see too many folks getting a sun conure because it 'looks so cool'!

The sun conure's population in the wild is indeed decreasing at an alarming rate due to deforestation and trapping.
Sun Conures or Sun Parakeets (Aratinga solstitialis)

They are quite easy to breed in captivity, and the difference in price is solely due to appearance.

Sabo,
I don't know if sun conures are smarter than green cheeks. I think it's more the individual bird. I have a sun conure who happens to be a smart little guy. I have taught him tricks that took him 2 minutes to learn! I am sure if you ask you will find some green cheeks who are equally smart. As far as being loud, yes they sure can be. However, I don't find it to be that bad. Researching them, I was expecting worse to be honest. However, if he gets excited while anywhere near your ear then lookout!!! He will make your ear ring!

Probably a demand thing. People want them because they look so beautiful so breeders and stores can charge a bit more.

Exactly. They're one of the prettiest birds out there, so they charge double.

I would imagine because of the Color, like others have said. Supply and demand! When my girlfriend bought mango ( her sun conure), she got a smoking deal on him. We had a budget and we're looking for a conure, but weren't looking for anything specific, just wanted to take in something that someone was looking to remove their bird. We say a few birds that were less, but fell in love with his personality. If you aren't in a rush you can find some good deals on what your looking for.

I think that perhaps Sun's are easily sold at higher prices just because of their looks. I have 2 Suns and a GCC. Their personalities are day and night. Who do I prefer? That would be choosing one child over the other.

I personally would not choose one over the other based on looks or price. Suns have a lot going for them, but they have a lot of issues as well. If you can handle a 2 year old having the tantrum of the year utilizing only those pitches that shatter year ear drum through a mega phone, then a Sun may be for you.

Personally, it doesn't bother me. My husband and my employees have learned to refrain from expressing their displeasure where I can see it. Note: not all Sun's are like this just like all golden retrievers don't make good retrievers. My female is the one who starts the screaming fest and I think my male just screams back at her to shut her up.

They also have a lot of good things going. They are velcro birds. Seriously. They don't want to be with you MOST of the time, it's ALL the time. While you work, watch TV, clean, go to the bathroom, while you take a shower, etc. etc. Some people dig this, some not so much.

Enough about Suns. My Green Cheek is the quietest most laid back bird. I am sure she will never talk as the only noised she make are mumbles or perhaps small squeaky peeps when she is telling you all about something that just happened. She also, like many green cheecks, can be nippy. Again, doesn't bother me. I just deal with it, don't react, and she barely does it anymore. She is just as much a buddy as my Sun's, just different. Someone here described suns as toddlers on a caffeine high. I think that about sums it up.

I don't think that one species of conure is smarter than another. Even if I did, I wouldn't say that on here because I think it's rude for someone to 'claim' their bird is smarter than someone elses based on species.

That being said, suns are actually an 'endangered species' in the wild. Mostly do to de-forestation and trapping for the pet trade.

Suns are also considered to be one of the most beautiful parrots in the world. That reason alone tends to be why they are more expensive then other conures.

As beautiful as they are, I think it's unfortunate that someone buys a bird just cause it's colorful. They aren't fashion accessories nor trophy pets. But our society is obsessed with superficiality and physical perfection. This can often extend into peoples lives and the choices they made.

As beautiful as Skittles is, that isn't what got me to buy him. It was his quirky character and how he would only do certain things when I was there. Had he just been sitting there looking pretty, I hate to say it, but I probably would not have bought him.

__________________


I have no sense of humor because my humor makes no sense.