The Nanday Conure (Aratinga nenday)

The Black-Masked Intellectual

The Nanday Conure, also known as the Black-hooded Parakeet, is one of the most distinctive and hardy members of the conure family. Native to the Pantanal region of South America (Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina), they are famous for their “black hoods” and their incredible adaptability.

In fact, they are so resilient that “feral” colonies of Nandays now thrive in urban areas across the United States, from the palm trees of Los Angeles to the suburbs of Florida.

Key Characteristics

• The Velvet Hood: Their most iconic feature is the solid black face and beak, which creates a striking contrast against their bright green bodies. This “mask” gives them a very serious, intelligent look.

• Red “Stockings”: Like the Cherry-headed Conure, Nandays have bright red feathers on their thighs, often referred to as their “socks” or “stockings.”

• Multicolor Tail: Their long tail is a beautiful gradient of green, ending in a deep, metallic blue tip.

• The “Blue V-Neck”: Many Nandays feature a subtle but beautiful wash of light blue on their upper breast, just below the black hood.

Quick Facts

Care & Personality

Nandays are often considered the “engineers” of the conure world—they are exceptionally curious and love to take things apart.

• High Intelligence: Nandays are widely regarded as one of the smartest Aratinga species. They excel at trick training and are capable of learning a wide range of words and phrases with surprising clarity.

• The “Sentinel” Instinct: In the wild, Nandays are the “lookouts” of the forest. In your home, they will act as an alarm system, screaming at the sight of a delivery truck or a stranger. Because of this, they are not recommended for apartment living.

• Fearless Socialites: They are generally very brave birds. They aren’t easily “spooked” and love to be in the middle of family activity. They are playful, “hands-on” companions that enjoy wrestling with toys.

• Acrobatic Play: They are very active and require a large cage with plenty of room for swinging and climbing. They are famous for their ability to hang upside down while manipulating objects with their feet.

The Feral Nanday Phenomenon

The Nanday is one of the few parrot species that has successfully established wild populations in North America. Their ability to survive in various climates speaks to their hardiness. If you live in Southern California or Florida, you may see “wild” Nandays flying overhead in loud, raucous flocks!

Is a Nanday Conure Right for You?

The Nanday is a bird with a BIG presence. They are affectionate, brilliantly smart, and visually stunning. However, they are also one of the loudest conures. If you have a high tolerance for noise and want a bird that will constantly challenge you with its intelligence and playfulness, the Nanday is a fantastic choice.