New bird suggestions? Caique? Keet? Quaker?

[summerfan]

I have a green cheeked conure who plays with toys somewhat, but is much happier hiding in my hair or scratching her head in her tent. I have a tiel who is so sweet but really just sits around waiting for millet. lol If I wanted to get another bird, what do you suggest? I just called around and a caique is almost as much as an African Grey What personal experience do you have with a bird that LOVES to be a goofball, play with toys but doesn't bite or scream tooooo loudly? I love the parakeet price, but do they play?? What other birds?

[Lisa B]

yes, Parakeets are very playful....
I think its Pogo, one of our members keets that can dunk a basketball.
Caiques are on the expencive side. the most expencive I have personally saw was 2400 a few years back for a WB. We went to buy that petucular bird, untill I saw the price, and did not have that much available to me on my CC. As I was playing with the WBC, they brought in a grey, I immediately went to see the baby grey, and thus, the story of Sampson Bell.

[Tiki]

Quakers are awesome, clever little birds! I adore my Chaska! You do have to make sure they are legal in your state. There is a list of states here: www.quakerville.com

Caiques are on my list of birds I really want when the price comes down in Australia. I met several in the USA, including Lisa's Ollie and they are adorable!

[Stizby]

Hands down I would recommend a caique if the price doesn't scare you away. Here is a video of one of my baby White Belly Caiques. It will give you an idea of how adorable and playful these birds are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtU0JupafII

[denmor55]

No Home should be with out a Quaker but I would love to have a Caique.

[Sally]

I have heard Quakers at the pet stores. They really hurt my ears. I have seen Caiques a lot and they never scream when I am there. How loud are they. Just comparing to other birds. I am used to having a VERY quiet home. I have a Parrotlet. Wonder how they compare to other birds.

[Stizby]

I've got 3 caiques but I got them all just this month and I'm sure I'm still in the honeymoon phase as they are very quiet so far. Plus, remember that I have a macaw and a cockatoo, so the caiques are no doubt going to seem quieter to me overall. We need some folks who've had their caiques longer than me to give you a true assessment. I will tell you that they do "beep" and "chortle". And some can be pretty good talkers, too.

[CALVINS MOM]

Caiques hands down. (Although I would love to have a Quaker if they were legal in NJ). There's nothing like a caique though.

[summerfan]

Is 800 a typical price for a caique???

[Irish]

Around here, Caiques go for around $1K in the local bird stores.

I love them, but I've never been owned by one. Maybe dvelardi (Deb) will chime in, here. I absolutely adore her male. The older female doesn't seem quite as hands-on and playful as he is, but they're both a hoot to watch. They know tricks, and their hop hop hopping everywhere is just adorable! I'd pocket that Otis (the male) and take him home in a heartbeat if I thought Deb wouldn't notice :-).

I wouldn't want a Quaker, personally. Even though we have 5 macaws, and they're undoubtedly louder, the screech of a Quaker is enough to make me vacate a room (or house) within moments.