Sun Conure Size: How Big Do Sun Conures Get? Complete Growth Guide

If you are researching Sun Conures before buying one, size is one of the first things you need to know. It determines cage size, perch requirements, out of cage space needs, and whether the bird realistically fits your household. This guide walks through Sun Conure size in complete detail: adult dimensions, growth timeline from hatchling to adult, size comparison against other popular conures, and the practical implications for your setup.

How big is an adult Sun Conure?

A fully grown adult Sun Conure has the following measurements:

• Length: 12 inches (30 centimetres) from beak tip to tail tip
• Body length (excluding tail): Approximately 7 inches
• Tail length: Approximately 5 inches
• Wingspan: 15 to 16 inches (38 to 41 centimetres)
• Weight: 100 to 120 grams (3.5 to 4.2 ounces)
• Head to shoulder height when perched: Approximately 8 inches

These are typical measurements for a healthy well fed adult from a working aviary. Undernourished birds are smaller; overweight birds can weigh 130 grams or more. See our full Sun Conure product page for current hand raised babies at Mo’s Birds.

Sun Conure size comparison against other conures

Sun Conures sit in the middle of the conure size spectrum. Here is how they compare to other commonly kept species.

For a direct comparison against the most popular alternative, see our full Sun Conure vs Green Cheek Conure guide. If you are specifically comparing Sun Conures against Dusky Conures, see the Dusky Conure vs Green Cheek Conure comparison for size details on the Dusky.

Sun Conure growth timeline

Sun Conures grow rapidly in their first year, then reach adult size and continue developing their signature adult coloration for another year.

Hatchling (0 to 3 weeks)

Naked, pink, and helpless at hatching. Weight around 6 to 8 grams. Eyes closed for the first two weeks. Cannot regulate body temperature and requires warm brooder conditions plus parent or hand feeding every 2 to 3 hours.

Nestling (3 to 8 weeks)

Pin feathers begin appearing around week 3. First real feathers around week 4. Eyes fully open by week 3. By week 8 the chick is fully feathered but still cannot fly and cannot self feed. Weight climbs from 30 grams at 3 weeks to 90 grams at 8 weeks.

Weaning (8 to 14 weeks)

The chick learns to eat solid food and gradually reduces formula feedings. By 10 weeks the chick can perch confidently. By 12 to 14 weeks the chick is fully weaned onto solid food. Weight reaches 100 grams. This is when hand raised Sun Conures typically go home from the breeder.

Juvenile (3 to 6 months)

Full body size reached. Green flight feathers still present alongside developing orange and yellow feathers. Beak strength increases. Weight stabilizes around 100 to 120 grams.

Sub adult (6 to 12 months)

The green juvenile feathers are gradually molted out and replaced with the vivid orange and yellow adult plumage. This first major molt happens gradually over months. By 12 months the bird looks mostly adult but may still show some green tinting on the wings.

Adult (12 to 24 months and beyond)

Full adult coloration achieved between 18 and 24 months. Weight stable at 100 to 120 grams. The bird is now considered a full adult in both size and appearance.

What cage size does a Sun Conure need?

Given adult Sun Conure dimensions, the minimum cage size is:

• Width: 24 inches minimum (30 inches preferred)
• Depth: 24 inches minimum
• Height: 30 to 36 inches minimum
• Bar spacing: no wider than 5 by 8 inch

A Sun Conure needs to fully open its wings inside the cage. With a 15 to 16 inch wingspan, cage widths below 20 inches are unacceptable regardless of what pet stores may sell as parrot cages. If your Sun Conure spends more than 12 hours per day in the cage, size up by 25 percent.

How much space do Sun Conures need outside the cage?

A Sun Conure needs at least 2 to 4 hours per day of supervised out of cage time in a bird proofed room. A typical living room, home office, or bedroom (with all fans off, windows closed, and toxic materials removed) provides enough space. Sun Conures are strong flyers and enjoy flight time when the room allows.

Does Sun Conure size vary by sex?

No. Sun Conures are not sexually dimorphic in size. Males and females are visually and dimensionally identical. This is why DNA sexing is the only reliable way to determine gender in Sun Conures.

How much does a Sun Conure eat given its size?

An adult Sun Conure eats approximately 1 to 2 tablespoons of pellets and 1 to 2 tablespoons of fresh vegetables per day, plus small amounts of nuts, seeds, and treats. Total daily food consumption weighs 15 to 25 grams (roughly 15 to 20 percent of body weight). This is why food costs for a Sun Conure typically run $25 to $45 per month.

Sun Conure size vs Green Cheek Conure size

This is the most commonly compared pairing in the small conure world. The size difference is meaningful.

Size alone is not the biggest difference between these two species. Noise level is dramatically different. See our full Green Cheek Conure noise breakdown for the honest volume comparison. And if you are still comparing prices, see our full Sun Conure cost guide.

Where to buy a Sun Conure

At Mo’s Birds we hand raise Sun Conures in Southern California from around 3 weeks of age, DNA sex every bird, and ship nationwide via Delta Cargo. To see the current listing, visit our Sun Conure product page, browse the full conures category, or contact Mo directly for photos of currently available babies.

Frequently asked questions

How big is a fully grown Sun Conure?

Adult Sun Conures reach 12 inches from beak tip to tail tip and weigh 100 to 120 grams, with a wingspan of 15 to 16 inches.

Are Sun Conures bigger than Green Cheeks?

Yes. Sun Conures are 2 inches longer and weigh roughly 40 grams more than Green Cheek Conures. The wingspan is also noticeably larger.

When do Sun Conures reach full size?

Full body size is reached at 8 to 10 months. Adult coloration continues to develop through 18 to 24 months.

Can male and female Sun Conures be told apart by size?

No. Sun Conures are not sexually dimorphic. Males and females are identical in size and appearance. DNA sexing is the only reliable way to determine gender.

What size cage does a Sun Conure need?

Minimum 24 by 24 by 30 inches, with 5 by 8 inch bar spacing. Larger is strongly preferred, especially if the bird spends most of its day in the cage.

Are Sun Conures small parrots or medium parrots?

Sun Conures are typically classified as medium small parrots. They are larger than Cockatiels and Green Cheek Conures but smaller than Amazons, African Greys, and any Macaw.