Ohhhhh no >.<

[MorningStar]

Haha.
Just when I thought I was set on the type of bird
I was going to get [conure, most likely black-capped],
I discover this amazing type of fids known as Caiques.
Now I feel like I'm back at the beginning, maybe not
square one, but pretty close. SO after reading, and falling
in love with those little guys, I thought I better ask some
owners their opinions. Some of you have even owned both
conures and caiques so if you could please inform me which
you personally prefer and which type you would think I would
do best with it would be much appreciated as I'm now quite
confuzzled.

Should probably give a little info on myself to help decide.
Firstly the bird I would be getting whether it would be a conure
or a caique would be in November from a Bird Show that will be
in town.
I am 16 years old, but have had lots of back ground with birds.
As in 'tiels and although I love them so I'm hoping for something to
spice things up a bit, and add some color to my life
Either way I'm currently in a vet class and volunteer at an
animal shelter. Money is not a problem as far as vet, food, cages,
toys go. I would be able to spend 8+ hours with the little guy, so
he would definitely not be a impulse then forget about type of
pet. I own a rabbit as well, don't think that would really have an
effect on anything? But I do know rabbits can be vicious and kill
each other in the matter of seconds so he would definitely get a
chance to play with Havok as I don't want to even THINK about
what my bun could do to my new babe. Especially since I think
Havok gets a bit jealous that the birds in my life definitely run the
place



Also any other information you would like
to add would be a BIGGG help. And I would appreciate
it all :]]

[Monica]

I don't personally own a caique, however I have learned quite a bit about them! They can be aggressive and stubborn birds, but they are also VERY beaky! They play a lot using their mouths so with a caique it may be better to teach them to play gently instead of trying to stop them from biting... they are hyper-active birds that love to wrestle, hop, and even surf! They are most commonly known for hair surfing, but they also "surf" on skin, plants, towels, etc!

They tend to be very goofy birds, and tend to be a LOT of bird in a small body. They are most commonly known as the clowns of the parrot world... do know though that they also tend to be pricey... as depending on where you are from, they'd go anywhere from $600-$1,500.


If you can though, you should try and let a medium sized bird pick you out!

[birdsnreps]

i personally like caiques better than most conures :) although i love patties and golden conures....caiques are usually fairly quiet, they make strange little "wookie" noises, but they do have one particular call that is somewhat loud, but definately not ear-ringing. they are extremely playful, they can make anything a toy, and they will amuse themselves for hours with one toy. they do need lots of space cause they will play hard all day long. they have the activity level of a hyper young child. they can be really sweet and cuddly, they are not usually aggressive and they love attention from almost anybody. most of the caiques i have met will go to anyone. but, every once in a while, they will decide they do NOT like someone, that someone better watch out!! they can be quite ferocious if they wanna be, but its pretty rare when they are someone's tame pet.

conures are playful and sweet too, but they have loud screeches that they make all day long, lol. i only have one new pair of conures, and they are my patties. patties are one of the largest conures, and when handreared they are sweeties :) i just love the patties. they can be really loud too, but the babies usually get quieter when they reach about one year of age. they always tend to be very cuddly and they bond very strongly to their person.

its up to you. just look around and try to handle the diff birds you see for sale, and let one choose you! you never know, you might end up falling in love with a bird that you did not expect to like or ever own. with me, i fell in love with meyers and red bellies. before i got them, i heard horrible things about them, but those horror stories couldnt be more wrong. so just check everything out, you never know who you are gonna fall in love with, or who might fall in love with you :)

[Snowy]

I am currently agonizing about choice of bird as well and did have caiques on my list at one time. I have decided against getting it because of the level of energy they have. I wasn't confident that I could keep up with the little guys.

I've been spending a lot of time interacting with the birds in a near by shop. I start playing with one caique in the area and the next thing I know, I've got 5 caiques clamouring all over me, their bites, although I know it's in play, is pretty powerful.
It is great fun playing with them, but after a few minutes, it gets too much for me.
I decided that I need a bird that would be content just getting a head scratch or perched on my shoulder at some time and not on the go all the time. I've yet to see a caique quietly perching and just hanging out.
The staff at the store told me that they were great, but need lots of stimulation (from other people or toys) constantly.

[dwiseley]

My caique has about an hour of just sitting on me and wanting scritches in the evening. The rest of the day she is on her tree or in her cage playing. She is not loud at all. She gives a few flock calls in te morning, the rest of the time she is chattering and singing, but her volume is low. I take her to school with me a few times a month to keep her socialized. I teach high school and the high school students love her feisty attitude. She is really beaky, she rubs her beak on everything. She rarely bites harder than a pinch, but I work with her a lot. I think she is fabulous.

[Chloe's Mom]

I don't have any conures but I do have 2 Black-headed caiques, Henry and Belle. They are really awesome little birds who continually make us chuckle with their antics. They are high energy and they are "beaky", as mentioned above. But- one of the most enjoyable traits they exhibit is that they really enjoy interacting and playing with their people, everything from finger wrestling to hair/body surfing. They just almost demand that time with their parronts, whereas my TAG can take it or leave it. The caiques are the first birds that my teenaged sons will really interact & play with.

[ROYJOY]

they're so cute. the colors are so defined they look like a plush toy, til it moves then you realize, its a real bird!!!!