Adopting a "problem" Caique?

[triathlonmeg]

Apologies for the cross-post. I didn't see the Caique forum until now.

I'm new to the forum, but certainly not to parrots. An opportunity has come up where it might be possible for me to adopt a Caique (named Caper). He is 4 years old, and has had 4 previous owners. His first owner (a teenage boy) loved him very much and taught him a plethora of tricks. But when the boy moved away to College, his mother was left with the bird. This woman used to hit Caper and fling him against the wall when he bit her. She dumped him on somebody else, who responded to his screaming whenever she was out of the room. His newest owner is a sweet girl who is just finishing up university (and is, unfortunately, moving away in January). She's taken great steps with Caper, but he's still a screamer, and likes to nibble harder and harder, trying to get a reaction out of you. Caper would be a handful, to say the least, but I'm sorely tempted to bring him home with me. She's asking $1500 for his cage/food, but I have a cage (which may be too small for a Caique, I'm learning. It's 18x18x24. Perfect for a lovebird, but not, I think, for a Caique). I thought I'd solicit the advice of the group. Can anyone share the good/the bad/the ugly of living with a Caique? I imagine he would be a very different little bird than my Grey, who is very serious and hands off. Or lovebirds, who are my little bundles of sweet and saucy.

I guess I just need to hear from other bird owners, that I would be doing the right thing bringing this little Caique home.

There is a good avian vet in town, so Caper would have the top notch care he deserved. The final question will be finding a knowledgeable pet sitter who would be able to take care of him when we are away. There are still so many issues, and the decision to get another bird is not small.

But I am so lonely without a bird, and without the happy shrills of a parrot about the house. Thanks again for your post...

[Freedomoflight]

1500 for a caique? Seriously? What a rip off. No way in heck I'd adopt a bird that has major emotional issues for 1500. Nope, no way. Not with what its going to most likely take in vet bills, food, probably toys and perches, etc.

[seagem]

It does seem like a lot of money but as for adopting him in general... Why not if you have the love, the patience and the longing? Have you visited him yet? I'm wondering if so how he reacted to you.

An abused bird's behavior doesn't sound like fun but being shuffled around from 4 homes in 4 years doesn't sound too fun either. He obviously needs the stability of not only a loving parront but the stability of environment as well. But again, the price is ridiculous.

[MaryG1959]

To take on a problem bird that is a lot of money, if you feel, however, that you are "paying his ransom" and are going to indeed give him a better home and can afford it...I'd say go for it!

People do not realize that these birds come w/many issues---you may get him and find you spend a lot of money on veterinary care and/or behaviorists.

Try to get her down in price stating that you may have to hire a behaviorist to help repair some of the damage done. In addition, you will want to vet him prior to mixing him in w/your flock.

Good luck and congratulations on adopting....

[tobybird]

Wow, I have to say you would be paying a ransom. Since when does adoption come with that kind of a price tag? The little cage would definately be too small. My caique lives in a 32 x 23 inch cage and some days I think that may too small. They are so very active and very different then a gray. Sounds like a good foundation was layed with the teenager, too bad his Mom mistreated him that way. He may be fearful under the wrong circumstances and give a realy serious bite. Aside from the price tag, whether you have the time and love to commit to him is really your decision. If you decide to do it, have a plan from the beginning for modifying behavior, try checking out Good Bird Inc, they have great stuff on behavior (magazine).

[Izzy]

I agree with the others, that is an outrageous price for a caique! I mean, maybe she has an awesome cage to go with it...but that is still really spendy!

I wouldn't go any smaller than 32x21 for a cage for a caique. Look for one with a playtop on top that you can deck out with toys.

Caiques are going to be different than lovies or greys. They are balls of energy that DO NOT stop! It's go-go-go-go-go! You would also have to be prepared for months of biting and screaming.

Check out Barbara Heidenreich's DVD's and books (Parrot Problem Solver and Good Bird) - they'll help you a ton with behavior modification techniques. And stick around here to learn too!

[bazie]

I got a caique and yes they are balls of energy for sure!! I am new to birds in general but caiques are very beaky birds. And destructive. But what personalities

[sweetpeaches]

It sure sounds like this poor baby got a raw deal. But with lots of love, patience and time I would hope he'd come around. It will take awhile though. The price is way too much, but if that's not an issue you for you, and your heart is in this I would do alot of research on caiques and visit the bird, then make the decision.

I have a 1 1/2 yr. old caique named Bailey and I just love em' to pieces. I wish you the best with this one.

[triathlonmeg]

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I'm going to talk to the girl about the price--I'm still a student (in my last year of my PhD), and $1500 is much more than I wanted to spend. Money should NOT be an issue in these things, but I'm hoping that perhaps she'll know that Caper would be coming to a good home, and so we can negotiate something reasonable. I wish we didn't have to discuss money at all. The other issue will be finding a space in the house for the larger cage. My grey is with my dad (my parents split up recently, and Jake, the grey, loves my dad so much that I thought it would be healthy for both of them to be together). So Caper would be an only-bird.

There is a good avian vet in town, so Caper would have the top notch care he deserved. The final question will be finding a knowledgeable pet sitter who would be able to take care of him when we are away. TThere are still so many issues, and the decision to get another bird is not small.

But I am so lonely without a bird, and without the happy shrills of a parrot about the house. Thanks again for your posts...
Meg

[sweetpeaches]

Meg,

I have an only caique and thot I'd share what his "basic" day is like. Presently, he's a great bird with lots of personality and no issues of too much screaming or any lunge biting..I hope I don't have to deal with those issues, but if I do we'll work through it:

His basic "routine" altho I try not to have him on a rigid one but that's hard when you work a 40 hour week..is as follows:

7:00 am uncover cage - take him out of his cage which sits in his own room, take him out in our great room and put him on his playstand (with toys on it) give him fresh food and water. He sits there and eats, plays and gets scritches from me.

7:30 - 4:30 put him back in his cage to play with his oooddlless of toys (hanging and foot)...plus a fresh bowl of water, feed and some type of melon. turn on the radio to give him some background music. As I can't see him because I'm at work...I can only tell he's been busy playing as the melon is demolished (smile)..there's food all over the place and his toys are strewn all over his cage. When I pull in the driveway I can hear him start contact calling me as soon as I close the car door! He is always happy to see me.

4:30 - 7:00 pm...back out on his playstand. During this time he eats dinner with us and I play with him as much as I can.

7:00-7:30pm - back in his cage for nitey nites..and covered up. Don't hear another peep until morning.

Weekends are free for alls!

PS...the longest i've been on vacation is 2 weeks...my son (22 yrs old) takes care of him for me. he is always fine when i come back. he's a little quieter than usual at first but within a day or two back to his normal self. (sometimes i think he's mad at me for leaving and just isn't speaking to me)..lol...