| At this time it is classified with the Conures,
but recent research may change this. It is the largest member
of the Conure family with a sub-species being 53 cm. (20 in.)
from forehead to tip of tail. There are three types of Patagonians:
the Lesser, Greater, and Andean. The difference between them
is size, and extent of yellow and red on their abdomen, and
the extent of white on the upper breast.
The general color of the Patagonian is a dark
olive-brown with the breast having a dark grayish shade. The
upper breast has a white streak starting at the shoulders
reaching towards the center like a necklace. The Greater Patagonian
has the most complete necklace; the Andean has only a small
amount near the shoulders. The center of the abdomen and the
inner thighs are orange-red and surrounding this red patch
is yellow. The Andean type has little or no yellow and the
red is very dull. The primary flights and coverts are blue.
The beak is black and the irises nearly white in the adult
bird. Young birds have a gray iris and white upper beak. There
is a bare white area surrounding the eye.
Tame Patagonians seem to like toys a lot and
will accept nearly anything that can be held, tossed or rubbed
up against. Most Patagonians are not bad about chewing but
are very clever about taking things apart so may become escape
artists. Patagonian Conures are ideal pets for those who like
excitement. They are rarely still; they dance, bob, climb,
tumble and play for most of the day.
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