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Conures are a diverse, loosely-defined group of medium-sized to small New World parrots. Essentially they are large parakeets native to Central and South America. For parrots, conures are lightly built, with long tails (Conure literally means 'cone tail') and small, strong beaks. They have a diverse range of colors.

Conures are either large parakeets or small parrots that are found in the western hemisphere. They are analogous in size and way of life to the Old World's Rose-ringed Parakeets or the Australian parakeets. All living conure species are found in Central and South America; the extinct Conuropsis carolinensis or Carolina Parakeet was an exception.

Despite being large for parakeets, conures are lightly built with long tails and small (but strong) beaks. Conure beaks always have a small cere and are usually horn-colored or black. Most conure species live in flocks of 20 or more birds. Conures often eat grain, which causes them to be treated as agricultural pests in some places.

Conures are as diverse a group as African Parrots, so trying to characterize them all is difficult and inaccurate. The category conure is loosely-defined because they do not currently constitute a natural, scientific grouping. The macaws are so closely related to conures that strictly by descent, macaws could also be called "conures". The term conure is now used mostly in aviculture. Scientists and laypeople alike tend to refer to these birds as "parrots" or "parakeets."

Latin for "little macaw," (ara - macaw, tinga - diminutive) the Aratinga conures generally seem to have a more mischievous personality than the real little macaws or mini macaws. The Aratinga conures are generally larger with brighter plumage and are generally the noisier, more outgoing, more demanding of the two primary conure genera. The Sun Conure and Jenday Conure are among the species of conures more commonly kept as pets.

Pyrrhura is the other large genus of conures. These generally greenish conures including the very common Green-cheeked Conure. Usually smaller, duller-colored, and quieter than the Aratinga conures, the Pyrrhura conures contain almost every conure species with a hyphen in the name, and the majority of Pyrrhura species names are hyphenated.

The Nanday conure, Nandayus nenday is the most commonly kept pet conure species outside of the two main genera. Some experts believe that Nandays should actually be grouped with the Aratinga genus, since they are cross-fertile with such species as Jendays and Suns. Nanday conures have a distinctive black head, and wings and tails tipped with dark blue feathers. They have a light-blue scarf and bright orange feathers on their legs and around their vents. 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. Although Nandays are often said to be extremely noisy, it might be more accurate to say that they are a heavily flock-oriented species, used to making their demands known, calling out warnings for the group, and making inquiries about other members of the group who are out of sight. They are also extremely intelligent birds, capable of learning tricks, mimicking sounds, and learning a small vocabulary. At least one report suggests that they are highly adaptable to human encroachment on their territories, but the exact status of the species in the wild is unknown.

The Golden conure or Queen of Bavaria Conure, Guarouba guarouba (recently reclassified from Aratinga guarouba) is, as the name implies, covered all over with bright yellow feathers, except for the green wing-tip feathers and the greyish-horn-colored beak. Golden conures are among the most expensive conures both to purchase and to care for, although many owners feel that the benefits outweigh the cost. It is one of the rarest Conures in the wild in addition to the pet trade. Many experts believe that these birds should not be kept in captivity unless in a breeding program.

The Patagonian conure, Cyanoliseus patagonus, is a large conure found in the Patagonia region of south-central Argentina and Chile. Drab on the top, brighly colored underneath, the Patagonian conure has exploded in popularity since the 1990s, leading to an increase in illegal importation which threatens the wild populations. It is also known as the "burrowing parrot," due to its habit of nesting in holes in the ground. Unsurprisingly, Patagonians in captivity are great chewers, and have been known to munch through furniture and even walls.

The Greater Patagonian Conure is the largest of all the Conures. They learn to talk and they usually bond very well with people, especially if hand-raised.

This Conure is not as widely available as other Conure species in many areas. The Greater Patagonian is almost unknown in American aviculture. They are rare in the pet trade, though if you are lucky you might find one in a zoo. Unknowing dealers may often sell Lesser Patagonian Conures as Greaters. Make sure you get what you pay for. Greater Patagonian Conures are very active. They love to play, climb and chew on toys, making for an entertaining parrot. Their ability to talk is usually quite good, though they can be very noisy. Greater Patagonian Conures are known for having sweet dispositions, and many of them will form close bonds with their owners. In the wild, these birds like to make their nests in the sides of cliffs, earning them the nickname, Cliff Dwelling Parrots. The Greater Patagonian Conure has been known to live as long as 25 years, but the average lifespan is only 12 years. With proper care and diet this can be increased.

The Greater Patagonian Conure's plumage is basically a dark olive green. There is some yellowish tinge on the side of the wings as well as the head. The breast is gray with some blue highlights. There is some red on the abdomen and inner thigh as well as some yellow. The primary flight feathers are dark blue. The tail feathers are olive green on the upper side and edged in blue. The undersides are dark gray. The Greater Patagonian Conure has white eyes when mature, while the young have brown irises. The eye is ringed with a bare white area. An interesting fact about the Greater Patagonian Conure is that it is the only Conure that has feathers covering their nostrils. The beak is black on the adult and the upper beak is white on the young. The feet of the Greater Patagonian Conure are flesh colored. They reach a length of 19 inches, which is larger than the other two Patagonian varieties. The adults achieve their true coloring at one year of age.

The Greater Patagonian Conures can be found along the coast in central Chile. They can be seen in bushes, trees, and making nests in the sides of cliffs. Though their flock numbers were large at one time, they are mostly spotted in smaller groups and usually when eating. The Greater Patagonian Conure is considered endangered in the wild, and that is due in part to the immatures being sought for food, the adults were frequently shot for this reason. Additionally habit destruction and shooting by farmers who consider them to be pests has led to a decrease in their numbers. Today new laws have been passed in Chile and they are protected.

As with most parrots, always offer Greater Patagonian Conures fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as foods such as beans and cooked eggs in addition to their regular diet of a good seed mix and a good quality pellet. Fresh water daily is necessary, as is removing fresh food quickly so it does not spoil. The size of the cage should be sufficient to accommodate their wings and room to play. Usually, a 24 inches by 24 inches by 36 inches cage will do, but larger is always better. A variety of perches are good exercise for the Greater Patagonian's feet, and make sure the food dishes are not directly below a perch, so that food and water are not soiled. Toys are necessary, since Conures are avid chewers. In addition they should be provided with a dish for bathing and if this is not possible they should be sprayed with water regularly.

The Golden-plumed conure, Leptosittaca branickii, is a small Andean conure not found in aviculture and endangered in its own habitat.

The exceedingly rare Yellow-eared conure or Ognorhynchus icterotis of Colombia and Ecuador was never common in aviculture and has not successfully bred in captivity.

Conuropsis carolinensis, the Carolina Parakeet, was the only parrot species indigenous to the United States. The Carolina parakeet was a remarkably social bird, living in vast flocks. American bird hunters reported that Carolina Parakeets would return to mourn dead members of the flock, making themselves easy targets. Considered a pest, popular in the pet trade, and bearing plumes feathers valued for hats, this species was hunted to extinction around the beginning of the 1900's.