Conures are lively, inquisitive parakeets. They belong to the parrot family, in the same genus as the scarlet macaw, Amazona parrots, et al. Most parrots are completely dependent on holes in old trees for breeding and resting. As a result, if woodland is cleared of old trees, this will greatly threaten any parrots living in the area. Parrots are also highly dependent on trees and bushes for finding food. They have a well-developed colour vision which they use to differentiate between various types of fruit and flowers.
 
Some parrot species are popular pets, especially those that learn many different words. Some parrots learn up to 700 different words equalling the vocabulary of a seven-year-old child.
Parrots mate for life and have an unusual year-round bonding – unusual for birds, that is. They live in groups of up to eight. They are usually seen and heard high in trees and only quiet down if danger threatens, becoming hard to spot in the foliage.