Just got him home!

[SetonHallic]

I just got my caique home. He is a male BH who is 1.5 years old.

He's in the cage and exploring but only a very little bit. He seems freaked.

What do I do? How long did it take your caique to adjust?

[MicahEspudo]

Just let him adjust for a few days... maybe play some soothing music or talk to him quietly! It will take at least day or two ... or three..... ect...

[SetonHallic]

Well, he's almost been here for 24 hours and we seem to be doing ok, not great but ok.

I've taken him out a few times for about 20 minutes each. He is ok everywhere except on his top-of-cage playstand. When he's up there he hisses and "growls" and bights if you try to take him down!

[Degrees55basebal]

Just let him get used to his surroundings and his new home and he should start lightening up in a few days. Congratulations! Any pictures?

[rockybird]

I would leave him alone for a few days also. Talk softly to him, feed him treats through the bars, hang out around the cage so that he gets used to you. I have a wb male caique and I know if he was in a new cage in a new home, it would take him many days just to get used to things. There is no way that he would willingly be held by a stranger so quickly. You want your bird to know that you are there for him...to feed him, protect him, play with him. He needs to feel safe and secure in his new home before he will trust you and his new environment. When he starts to come around, he will make a great pet. Just give him time. You dont want to scare him. Caiques have great memories.
Dont forget to give him lots of toys. Caique love to play. My bird like hanging toys with bells on the end (he fights them while whistling tunes) and balls with bells in them that he can roll around the cage and wrestle with. He also like a happy hut to sleep in. Good luck with your new little guy!

[Freedomoflight]

Just let him chill and get used to the surroundings first. Pushing him too fast too hard will make it harder for him to feel settled and for you guys to start forming the necessary bond.

[SetonHallic]

Should I not take him out at all? We have taken him out twice a day for a few minutes each time, each time a few minutes longer than the last. Our major problem is that he has made it quite clear that he will come out and return when he pleases and not a moment sooner.

He is alse extremely angry when we try to remove him from the cage top perch. He hisses and bights when we try to take him down.

[Freedomoflight]

If he is exhibiting anger and frustration, I would not take him out and just let him settle in completely alone for a day or two. Changing homes is a huge adjustment and you don't want to expect too much too soon.

[SetonHallic]

Thanks, I think other than feeding him we will leave him alone for a few days and not touch him. He seems to be getting angrier and angrier when we go in his cage. He refused to come out at all today...

I don't want to scare him! If leaving him alone is the way to go then that's what I shall try. Any other thoughts?

[rockybird]

Just give him time to adjust. He's a caique, so I think eventually curiosity and the inherent caique inquisitivenss will make him adventurous enough to want to explore beyond the cage and get to know you.

Be careful also, as caiques can have nasty bites (as I type this with scabbed fingers). If his eyes suddenly look pinpoint and crazed, I would give him space.