Nanday Conure vs Sun Conure: 2026 Comparison Guide

By Viola R Daigle | Published 1 August 2026 | Updated 12 November 2026

Choosing a pet bird is a big step. You want a friend that fits your life. Nanday and sun conures are both bright, loud, and full of life. Yet they differ in size, noise, cost, and care needs. This guide compares the nanday conure vs sun conure side by side, from nanday conure size and sun conure price to noise, lifespan, and care.

One bird may suit your home well. The other may prove too loud or too big. This guide walks you through looks, size, noise, lifespan, price, diet, and care. We use the latest bird care guidance for 2026.

Contents

• How They Look: Colours and Markings
• Nanday Conure vs Sun Conure: Size and Weight
• Personality and Temperament
• Noise Levels and Vocalisations
• Lifespan and Health
• 2026 Price and Availability
• Diet and Nutrition
• Housing and Cage Needs
• Training and Intelligence
• Legal Status and Wild Birds
• Which Conure Is Right for You?
• Tips for New Owners
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

How They Look: Colours and Markings

Sun conures look like a tiny sunset with mostly yellow and orange feathers. They show green and blue on their wings, and their bright face glows warm. No other pet conure shines quite like this bird.

Nanday conures look very different, with a dark black face and head. People often call them black-hooded parakeets, and their bodies are deep green. The contrast gives them a bold, smart look of their own.

Nanday Conure vs Sun Conure: Size and Weight

Nandays are usually larger than sun conures, and they carry a longer tail. A nanday grows to about twelve inches long and weighs 140 to 150 grams. They feel solid and strong when they step onto your hand.

Sun conures are a bit smaller than nandays. They reach about eleven inches and weigh 100 to 120 grams. They feel lighter in your hand, yet they are just as bold. Size alone will not tell you which bird suits you best.

Feature	Nanday conure	Sun conure
Length	About 12 inches	About 11 inches
Weight	140–150 grams	100–120 grams
Main colours	Black hood, deep green body	Yellow, orange, green and blue
Lifespan	20–25 years	Up to 30 years
Typical price	$400–$600	$600–$1,000

Personality and Temperament

Sun conures are known as "Velcro birds" because they love to stick close. They are very cuddly, and most love to have their heads scratched. They bond deeply with one person and may get jealous of others.

Nandays are also very social, but they can be a bit more independent. They love to play with toys and are often seen as the "class clowns." They roll on their backs and may even play dead for fun.

Both birds need lots of daily attention, and you cannot leave them alone all day. A lonely conure may scream, pluck feathers, or grow moody fast. Plan for hours of play, talk, and cuddles each day.

Noise Levels and Vocalisations

Noise is the most vital point for many buyers, and both birds are very loud. Conures are known for high-pitched screams that can pierce a quiet room. Nandays are often called the loudest conure, with a harsh rasping call.

Sun conures have a very shrill shriek that can reach over 100 decibels. That is as loud as a power drill. They use it to call their flock. In your home, you are their flock, so they will call you often.

Nandays sound a loud "kra-a-a" in the morning and again at sunset. They scream when happy, sad, or keen to see you. No amount of training takes this noise away. Do not pick either bird for a flat with thin walls.

For more on conure noise, see why are sun conures so loud. Our cockatiel vs sun conure comparison covers noise in depth.

Lifespan and Health

A conure is a long-term friend, and they live for a very long time. Sun conures can live up to thirty years, and some live longer with great care. Nandays usually live between twenty and twenty-five years, and they are hardy birds.

Vitamin A lack is a big problem, and it comes from eating seeds only. It can cause skin and breathing troubles, so feed orange veg for health. Obesity is common too, since many pet birds fly too little.

Too many sunflower seeds can lead to fatty liver disease, so keep treats small. Birds hide illness well, so watch for changes in droppings, fluffed feathers, and quiet ways. If your bird sits at the cage floor, see a vet fast.

Learn how long sun conures live and what care keeps them healthy for decades.

2026 Price and Availability

Prices for birds have changed of late, and rare colours cost much more. A standard sun conure costs $600 to $1,000, while red factor suns cost more. Nanday conures are usually cheaper, at $400 to $600 each.

Sun conures cost more since they are endangered in the wild and in high demand. Their bright colours draw many buyers, and breeding takes much time and work. Nandays are sometimes harder to find, so try a private breeder.

Check local bird rescues first, since many conures need a second home. Rescue saves money and a life, and the bird may bond fast with you. Nandays are common in warm states and even live wild in Florida.

Bird	Typical price in 2026	Where to look
Sun conure	$600–$1,000	Pet stores and breeders
Red factor sun conure	More than standard suns	Specialist breeders
Nanday conure	$400–$600	Private breeders and rescues

Diet and Nutrition

Good food is the key to a long life, so skip a seed-only diet. Seeds are too fatty for pet birds and act like junk food. Modern vets back high-quality pellets, which should be 70% of the diet.

The rest should be fresh fruit and veg for vitamins and joy. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and collard greens are great daily picks. Orange veg like carrots, sweet potatoes, and squash add vitamin A.

Sun and nanday conures love sweet fruit, so give berries and melon. Apples are good, but take out the seeds first, and pears and papaya are favourites. Use nuts for training only, since walnuts and almonds are rich.

Housing and Cage Needs

A small cage is like a prison, so give your bird plenty of space. The cage should be at least twenty-four inches wide, and bigger is better. Bars must be ⅝ to ¾ inch apart, or your bird could get stuck.

Give at least three perches of natural wood in varied widths. Sandpaper perches hurt soft feet, so skip them for good. Place food and water bowls high up to keep them clean from droppings.

Conures love to chew wood, so give balsa or yucca toys to shred. Foraging toys hide treats in paper or boxes and keep minds busy. Skip toys with long cotton ropes, since birds can swallow the fibres.

Training and Intelligence

Training builds a bond with your bird and also keeps them quiet. Conures can learn fun tricks like waving "hello" or turning round. They are not the best talkers, but they may learn a few simple words.

Their voices are raspy and gravelly, so speech can be hard to grasp. Use treats to reward good acts, and never yell at your bird. Birds do not grasp punishment, and it only makes them scared of you.

If they scream, ignore them, and if they stay quiet, give them a treat. This teaches them that calm ways earn praise, but it takes patience. Potty training works too: watch for the "pre-poop" wiggle and move them fast.

Legal Status and Wild Birds

In some places, nanday conures are a problem as an invasive species. Large wild flocks live in Florida, and they also live in California and Texas. They can harm local fruit crops, so some laws are strict.

Always check your local laws before you buy, since most states allow them as pets. Sun conures are safe under CITES Appendix II, which controls world trade. It is illegal to trap them wild, so all pet birds must be captive-bred.

Their wild numbers are very low, with fewer than 2,500 left in South America. Buying from a legal breeder helps guard them, so never buy a smuggled bird. Feral nandays are loud, hardy, and nest in palms and buildings.

See also are nanday–sun conure hybrids fertile. The jandaya parakeet vs sun conure guide compares close kin.

Which Conure Is Right for You?

Think about your living space first, and ask if you have close neighbours. If yes, maybe neither bird is right, since both are very loud. A flat with thin walls will carry each scream to the next door.

If you want a cuddly bird, pick the sun. They are the very best lap birds around. If you want a smart, funny bird, pick the nanday for laughs each day. Both birds will stay with you for decades, so pick with care.

Pick the sun conure if…	Pick the nanday conure if…
You want a cuddly lap bird	You want a funny, playful bird
You love bright sunset colours	You want a lower price
You can pay $600–$1,000	You can pay $400–$600
You have 30 years to share	You like a bold, clownish friend

Tips for New Owners

Get ready for mess before you bring your bird home, since they throw food far. Use a seed catcher under the cage and a good vacuum for feathers. Conures chew wood fast, so never leave them alone in a room.

Clean the cage tray each day to stop smells and germs from growing. Do a deep clean once a week with bird-safe soap and hot water. Skip bleach and strong scents, since birds have soft, keen lungs.

Cover the cage at night for twelve hours, since birds need a lot of sleep. A tired bird is a loud bird, so keep their room dark and quiet. Learn their body signs: pinned eyes mean thrill, and a fanned tail means upset.

Start with what is a sun conure. Then read sun conure vs green-cheek conure to weigh your choice.

Conclusion

Both birds are a joy to own. They bring colour and life to any home. Pick the sun for beauty and cuddles, and pick the nanday for brains and play. Mind the noise and the long life, since this bird stays for decades. Good nanday conure care starts with the right conure cage size and a clear view of the sun conure vs nanday temperament.

Give the best food and a big cage. Your bird will love you for it. Check local rescues for birds in need, since many wait for a home. Enjoy the trip with your new feathered friend, for it is a rare bond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are nanday conures louder than sun conures?

Yes, many owners find nandays louder than suns. Their scream is harsher and more frequent, though both birds are very loud. Neither bird suits a quiet flat or thin walls.

Can sun conures talk?

They can learn a few words, but their speech is not very clear. Their voices are raspy and gravelly, so most birds copy whistles and short tunes. Play and sweet bonds matter more than speech.

Do nanday conures make good pets?

They make fine pets for keen owners with time to train them. They need lots of play, toys, and daily care to stay happy. First-time owners should learn conure needs before they buy.

What is the best cage for a conure?

A large flight cage is best, at least 24 by 24 by 30 inches. Bars should be ⅝ to ¾ inch apart, with room for perches and toys. Bigger is always better for a busy conure.

Why is my sun conure screaming?

They scream for attention, from fear, or just for fun. They may also scream when bored, lonely, or keen to see you. Check their needs first, then reward calm and quiet ways.

Disclaimer: This guide shares general care information only. It is not veterinary advice. Prices and laws change, so check local breeders and rules before you buy. If your bird shows signs of illness, contact an avian vet at once.