Emma Conure: Venezuelan parakeet, Mutations, Breeding
The Emma Conure (Pyrrhura emma) and its Mutations: Also know as the Venezuelan parakeet
General
The Emma Conure is a sub-species of the White-eared Conure (Pyrrhura leocotis leocotis). Emma Conures have always been one of the rarer Pyrrhura Conures in aviculture because they have not adapted well in captivity and are challenging to breed. This is understandable once we take into account that their natural range comprises only a small area near the coast of northern Venezuela.
According to Forshaw there are five sub-species in the Leocotis family, but I do not feel that it is necessary to go into detail about these sub-species here. The only two sub-species, besides the Emma, that are found in significant numbers in South Africa aviculture are Griseipectus and Leocotis.
As far as I am aware, there is only one mutation in any of the White-eared Conures, namely the dilute, which is a paler version of the natural colouring. This is nevertheless a welcome addition to mutation breeding. As you can see from the photos, the dilute is a very beautiful mutation.
Emma Conure in our aviaries
It is very difficult to differentiate between the sexes with the Emma Conure, which makes it a good idea to do surgical or DNA sexing to avoid disappointments when trying to establish a breeding pair.
Upon fledging, the chicks are only slightly duller than the adults. The young birds are easy to keep and care for. They will not chew up the cages and can be kept in relatively small cages. It is, however, recommended that you keep only one pair per cage.
Suspended aviaries measuring 600 mm x 900 mm high and 1 800 mm deep are ideal. As far as nest boxes go, a nest with internal dimensions of 180 mm x 180 mm and 500 mm deep, with an entrance hole measuring 50 mm in diameter, will work well. Some Pyrrhura hens are very about the choice of nest box.
It sometimes helps to add a wooden sprout 120 mm long, also with an entrance hole of 50 mm, in front of the nest box entrance. At the bottom of the nest box, place a layer of wood shavings, not too coarse, about 50 mm deep. The hen will normally lay 5-7 eggs on this substrate which she will brood for about 22 days until they hatch. Often the first chick can be rung by the time the last chick hatches.
It is remarkable how good all the Pyrrhura are at feeding their young. It very seldom happens that they allow the smallest or youngest chick to perish.
The chicks will stay in the nest for about five weeks, whereafter they must spend at least three to five weeks further with the parents until they can feed themselves.
However, one must be aware that if the hen lays again, the male will attack and injure the chick already in the nest. It is also important to make sure that the young still in the nest don’t break the eggs or foul them with their waste.
Because their cages take up so little space, and they are quite birds, the Conures are ideal for keeping on smaller properties or in developed areas.
The ring size for Emmas is 5 mm (Code C from the PASA). Other Pyrrhuras are rung with 5.5 mm rings (Code D). The exception is the Blue-throated Conure, which takes a 6 mm ring (Code E).
Emmas will normally breed from 2 years old. As with other parrots, occasionally they will reach maturity earlier and have been known to breed from as young as one-year-old.
Feeding
Emma Conures are not at all picky about their food. I feed mine moistened Hi performance pro 18 with the addition of grated vegetables. Instead of this mixture a soaked and cooked combination of corn and legumes can be fed. If beans, especially soya, are used, the mixture must be cooked very thoroughly. No fruit should be added as it will make the mixture to wet and could cause it to ferment or go mouldy. My birds are also given fine dry seeds such as millet, manna, canary seed, and a limited amount of sprouted sunflower seed.
Emma Conure mutations
As mentioned earlier, there is only one mutation of the Emma Conure. This mutation arose in the aviaries of Charl Marais of Bloemfontein.
Charl was without a doubt the most dedicated breeder of Conures in South Africa. His untimely passing left a huge void in the avicultural world. I count myself as very luck that I could work so long and closely with Charl in many areas of birdkeeping, especially his efforts to establish this mutation of the Emma Conure.
Here follows the inheritance of the dilute mutation, which is an autosomal recessive mutation.
| ( / = Split ) | |
| Pairing | Result |
| Dilute X Normal | 100% Normal / Dilute |
| Normal / Dilute X Normal | 50% Normal 50% Normal / Dilute |
| Normal / Dilute X Normal / Dilute | 25% Normal 50% Normal / Dilute 25% Dilute |
| Dilute X Normal / Dilute | 50% Normal / Dilute 50% Dilute |
| Dilute X Dilute | 100% Dilute |
Here are more blog posts about parrot mutations:
Keeping Parrotlets : Mutations
Elegant Grass Parakeet Mutations
Alexandrine Parakeet Mutations
