taking the parrot world by a storm. By Pauline James

Only 15 years ago, the Crimson-bellied Conure, the undisputed ‘jewel in the crown’ of all the Pyrrhura conures, was largely unknown in captivity. But, in the last few years - due to its sudden proliferation from specialist collections in Spain, Germany, Switzerland and the UK, and its subsequent introduction to the US, in the late 90s - this stunning conure is taking the parrot world by a storm!

Although the Crimson-bellied Conure (Pyrrhura perlata perlata) was initially thought to be a separate species, and was classified as Pyrrhura rhodogaster, it has recently been determined, this stunningly beautiful conure belongs to the same genus as the Pearly Conures, P. p. lepida, P. p. anerythra and P. p. coerulescens, with P. p. perlata being the nominate species. But, the Crimson-bellied will always stand alone, with its loud and fiery, crimson-red lower breast and abdomen, which totally belies this bird’s very special, serene and gentle nature.

Read more in the magazine…