Sun Conure Care

Feather fans flock to Columbus avian affair

When Stan Lyon was offered his first parrot in 1997, he caught the disease that ails most avid bird lovers.

"We caught the N.E.B. disease: never enough birds," said his wife, Billie Lyon.

And before they knew it, the Lyons had 50 birds, from finches to blue-crowned conures, a type of parrot, in their Columbus home.

"Birds are like Lays (potato chips) - you can never have just one," said Mrs. Lyon, whose husband is a retired carpenter.

The Lyons were among about 400 other bird enthusiasts who flocked to Fort Rapids Indoor Waterpark Resort yesterday for the 15th annual Ohio Exotic Bird Fair.

About 18 vendors were set up at the fair at the East Side water park, providing bird lovers with an opportunity to buy from breeders at lower prices than in pet stores, said Rus Tyson, fair owner.

Birds for sale included finches, cockatoos and mini macaws. Vendors also sold toys, seed, cages and other supplies.

"We sell birds that are not native to the area," Tyson said.

Among the vendors were husband and wife Terry and Laurie Stewart, who have been breeding birds for more than 30 years.

"It's not about the money. It's a passion for us," Mr. Stewart said.

The couple raises about 200 birds - more than 10 different species - on their farm in Berlin Center, in Mahoning County in northeastern Ohio, where they also breed horses, hogs and Russian wolfhounds.

The Stewarts travel to shows across the state because breeder-owner communication is important when purchasing a bird, Mr. Stewart said. "We have a lot of repeat customers."

Viki Bullock, of the Central Ohio Friends of a Feather club, said bird-care education is also essential before purchasing a bird.

"People buy birds without proper education, so they get rid of them when they realize what comes with owning a bird," Bullock said.

A passionate bird owner herself, Bullock said she and a friend started the club in July 2008 and began rescuing and finding new homes for birds soon after.

"I have eight birds in my flock," Bullock said. "Some of them are ones I rescued through the club."

A lot of people get rid of birds because of the veterinary costs, but Bullock said the 450 members of the club donate money to help birds that need medical attention.

The club holds fundraisers throughout the year. One such fundraiser took place at the fair, where 50 percent of the money from a toy and supply raffle went toward the club's cause, she said.

Sun Conure - Pet Care

As with many of the parrots the Sun Conjure has been known by several names during its long history. This warmly colored member obits genus has also been referred to as the Sun Parakeet and Yellow Conure. While it does not have quite the same imposing appearances the Queen of Bavaria Conjure, its colors are very attractive and most authors rate it as one of the most beautiful of all Conjures.

The Sun Conure’s general plumage is yellow which is mixed with orange on the forehead, sides of the head, lower abdomen, rump and lower back. The yellow-orange mixture varies from bird to bird (much as the head and shoulder markings do in the Amazons). Thawing and tail feathers are a mixture of yellow, green, and blue. The eye is a dark brown and the beak gray to black. The beak is lighter-colored in immature birds. This Conures are about 12 inches long and are beautifully proportioned.

This parrot shares a number of characteristics with the Jenday Conure and the Golden Capped Conjure and it is possible that revisions of classification may link them as subspecies.

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