Are sun conures bigger than green cheek conures?: Size & Care Guide
Are Sun Conures Bigger Than Green Cheek Conures?
By Viola R Daigle | Published 22 February 2026 | Updated 11 November 2026
You want a pet bird, and you love conures. You see two popular types, and you wonder which one is bigger. One is the bright sun conure, and the other is the green cheek conure.
Are sun conures bigger than green cheek conures? The short answer is yes. Sun conures are larger, heavier, and longer than green cheek conures. This guide shows you why, and it helps you pick the right bird.
Yes, sun conures are bigger than green cheek conures. A sun conure is about twelve inches long and weighs 100 to 120 grams. A green cheek conure is about ten inches long and weighs 60 to 80 grams. Sun conures also have wider wingspans, stronger beaks, and louder voices than green cheeks.
Contents
- Are Sun Conures Bigger Than Green Cheek Conures?
- Why Are Sun Conures Bigger?
- Comparing the Weight of Both Birds
- Length and Wingspan
- Growth Stages: Young Birds and Adults
- Beak and Head Size
- Colours and Appearance
- The Noise Level Difference
- Space and Cage Size
- Personality and Temperament
- Feeding and Diet Needs
- Exercise and Playtime
- Lifespan and Long-Term Care
- Choosing the Right Bird for You
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sun Conures Bigger Than Green Cheek Conures?
Sun conures are definitely bigger than green cheek conures. They belong to a different group of parrots, and that group shapes their size. Sun conures are part of the Aratinga family, while green cheeks are part of the Pyrrhura family.
That family difference matters a lot for owners. It affects size, weight, noise, and even care needs. Sun conures are built like tiny macaws, with thick bones and long tails. Green cheeks are more compact, with shorter, rounder bodies.
Why Are Sun Conures Bigger?
Genes play the biggest role in size for both birds. Sun conures grow larger because their genes shape bigger bones and more muscle. Green cheek conures carry genes that keep them small and light.
Diet also shapes how big a bird grows. A healthy diet with fruit, veg, and protein helps a sun conure reach its full size. Green cheeks need good food too, yet they eat smaller meals than sun conures do.
Physical traits add to the gap as well. Sun conures have thicker bones, larger wings, and longer tails. Green cheeks are lighter on their feet, and their short bodies feel very different in your hand.
Comparing the Weight of Both Birds
Weight is a big factor when you compare these birds. It tells you about health, and it shows the size gap in clear numbers. A healthy sun conure weighs between 100 and 120 grams, and some reach 130 grams.
Green cheek conures are much lighter than sun conures. They usually weigh between 60 and 80 grams, which is a big gap. A sun conure can weigh almost double what a green cheek weighs.
That weight gap matters for daily care and flight. Heavier birds need more food, and they need more room to fly safely. It also affects how they feel when they perch on your hand.
| Feature | Sun Conure | Green Cheek Conure |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 100 - 120 grams | 60 - 80 grams |
| Length | 12 inches | 10 inches |
| Wingspan | 18 - 20 inches | 14 - 16 inches |
| Beak size | Large and strong | Medium and sharp |
Length and Wingspan
Length is measured from head to tail for both birds. Sun conures measure about 12 inches, which is one foot long. Green cheek conures measure about 10 inches, so the gap is two inches.
Two inches may seem small on paper, yet it looks very different in person. The tail makes up a lot of this length, and sun conures have long, tapering tails. Their wingspan is also wider, so they need more space to flap and fly.
Growth Stages: Young Birds and Adults
Both birds start small as chicks, yet the size gap shows up early. Sun conure chicks grow fast in the first few weeks, and they soon outgrow green cheek chicks. That early gap stays with them as they grow into adults.
Adult sun conures reach about 11 to 12 inches long. Adult green cheek conures reach about 10 to 11 inches long. Knowing these stages helps you plan cage size and food as your bird grows.
| Stage | Sun Conure | Green Cheek Conure |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile size | 5 - 6 inches | 4 - 5 inches |
| Adult size | 11 - 12 inches | 10 - 11 inches |
Beak and Head Size
Look at their heads, and you will see the size gap again. A sun conure has a large head with a very strong black beak. It can crack hard nuts with ease, and its bite can hurt more than a green cheek bite.
Green cheek conures have smaller beaks that are horn-coloured or dark grey. Their beaks are sharp but less strong than a sun conure beak. They have less muscle in their jaws, so their bites are usually smaller.
Colours and Appearance
Sun conures are famous for their colours, and they look like a sunset. They have bright yellow and orange feathers, with green and blue on their wings. They are very flashy birds, and they want to be seen.
Green cheek conures are more subtle in their colours. They are mostly green, with a grey or brown cap on the head. Their tails are usually maroon or red, and they blend into trees well.
Sun conures are like bright neon signs in the bird world. Green cheeks are like quiet forest leaves, and that camouflage helps them in the wild. For a closer look at the full comparison, read our sun conure vs green-cheek conure guide.
The Noise Level Difference
Size often links to volume, and sun conures prove that point well. Sun conures are very loud, and their screams can be heard from blocks away. They use their large lungs to shout when they feel happy or bored.
Green cheek conures are much quieter than sun conures. They are often called apartment birds because their voice is softer. They chirp and whistle more than they scream, which matters if you have close neighbours.
Space and Cage Size
| Need | Sun Conure | Green Cheek Conure |
|---|---|---|
| Cage minimum | 24 x 24 x 36 inches | 20 x 20 x 30 inches |
| Bar spacing | No more than half an inch | No more than half an inch |
| Best bars | Horizontal, for climbing | Horizontal, for climbing |
| Out-of-cage time | Daily, to stretch wings | Daily, to stretch wings |
Big birds need big cages, and sun conures are no exception here. Because sun conures are larger, they need more room to jump, climb, and stretch. A cramped cage ruins their long tail feathers fast.
Green cheek conures can live in slightly smaller cages than sun conures. Yet they are very active birds, and they love to swing and flip. You should still buy the biggest cage you can afford for either bird.
Both birds need time outside the cage each day to stretch their wings. Keep bar spacing at no more than half an inch so your bird cannot escape or get stuck. For cage sizes in detail, see what size cage is best for a sun conure.
- Sun conure cage minimum: 24 x 24 x 36 inches
- Green cheek conure cage minimum: 20 x 20 x 30 inches
- Bar spacing: no more than half an inch
- Horizontal bars: best for climbing and play
Personality and Temperament
Size affects how these birds act with people each day. Sun conures are often more bold, and they act like big parrots. They can be very needy, and they want your attention all day long.
Green cheek conures are spunky little comedians with their own charm. They can be a bit more independent than sun conures, and they are known for being nippy. Their bites are usually smaller, yet they still need patient training.
Both birds are very loving in their own ways. Sun conures are cuddly and bold, while green cheeks are funny and sweet. Learn more about their cuddly side in do sun conures like to cuddle.
Feeding and Diet Needs
Both birds eat similar foods, and both need high-quality pellets each day. They also need fresh fruits and vegetables for health and bright feathers. Because sun conures are bigger, they eat more food than green cheeks.
You will spend more on food for a sun conure over time. They also love fatty seeds and nuts, so you must be careful with treats. Green cheeks can get fat easily, and their small bodies show weight gain fast.
Always provide fresh water, since both birds love to dip food in water. They make birdie soup in their bowls, so change the water twice a day. Never feed chocolate, avocado, or caffeine, since these are toxic to all birds. For safe foods, see what sun conures can eat and what sun conures can not eat.
Exercise and Playtime
Both birds are very high energy, and they love toys and play. Sun conures need bigger toys, since they can destroy small toys in minutes. Use wood and leather toys that can take a strong beak.
Green cheek conures love bells, swings, and hiding spots in their cage. They like to hide in bird tents, yet you must be careful with fabric tents. Give both birds 2 to 4 hours of out-of-cage time each day.
The older post gave a useful split for daily exercise time. Aim for at least 2 hours outside the cage for a sun conure. Green cheek conures need about 1 hour of daily out-of-cage time at least.
- Teach them to play fetch with a small ball
- Set up a bird-safe gym with perches and ladders
- Hide treats in foraging toys for mental play
- Play music and dance with them each day
Lifespan and Long-Term Care
Both birds can live a long time, so this is a big commitment. Sun conures live for 20 to 30 years, and some live even longer with great care. Their size makes them hardy, yet they still need regular vet care.
Green cheek conures also live 20 to 30 years with good care. They are long-term companions, so you must plan for their future now. You will need a vet who knows birds, and regular checkups keep them healthy. Learn more in how long do sun conures live.
Choosing the Right Bird for You
Now you know the facts about size, weight, and care needs. But which bird fits your life and home best? Think about noise, space, time, and budget before you choose.
If you want a bright, loud, cuddly friend, get a sun conure. Just make sure you have no close neighbours who mind the noise. If you want a smaller, quieter, funny friend, get a green cheek conure. They are great for flats and first-time owners.
Consider your budget, since sun conures cost more to buy and feed. Consider your time too, since both birds need a lot of love each day. Both species make amazing pets, and they will bring joy for many years.
Conclusion
Yes, sun conures are bigger than green cheek conures in every way that counts. They are longer, heavier, louder, and stronger than their green cousins. Size is not just about inches, since it shapes noise, cage space, food, and personality too. For a quick recap, this sun conure vs green cheek conure guide shows the real sun conure size and green cheek conure size side by side.
A bigger bird brings bigger duties, so choose with care and love. Pick the bird that matches your heart, your home, and your daily life. Both birds will reward you with joy, play, and bright colour for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can sun conures and green cheeks live together?
It is risky to house them in one cage together. Because sun conures are bigger, they can hurt green cheeks by accident. Give them separate cages, and let them play together only with close watch.
Which bird is easier for beginners?
The green cheek is usually easier for new owners. They are quieter, smaller, and take up less space at home. Sun conures can feel too much for new owners, since they are loud and needy.
Do sun conures talk better than green cheeks?
Both birds are not great talkers, and neither learns many words. They can learn a few words, yet they are better at copying whistles and sounds. Their charm lies in play and sweet bonds, not speech.
Why is my green cheek biting so much?
Green cheeks go through a nippy phase, and this is normal for young birds. You must train them with patience and kind rewards each day. Stay calm, offer a toy to chew, and praise good acts at once.
Which conure is the biggest?
The Patagonian conure, also called the burrowing parrot, is the largest conure species. It can reach up to 18 inches in length, which is much bigger than a sun conure. Most pet conures stay between 10 and 12 inches long.
How much do these birds cost?
Sun conures are usually more costly than green cheek conures. They can cost $500 to $1,000, while green cheeks are often $300 to $600. Prices shift with age, colour, breeder, and where you live.
This guide gives general facts, not vet advice for your bird. Each bird is unique, so care needs can shift with age and health. If your bird seems ill, call a qualified avian vet at once.
Want to learn more about sun conures? Start with what a sun conure is and the sun conure vs green-cheek conure guide. Both guides help you see how size fits the wider conure family.
Viola R. Daigle
I'm Viola R. Daigle, a dedicated Internet Marketer. I work with WarriorPlus as a Vendor and Affiliate, and I’m also an Affiliate on JVZoo and Legendary Marketer. My passion is to provide honest and detailed reviews of Internet Marketing (IM) products and software. I love helping people choose the right tools and strategies to grow their online business with confidence.
