Bunch of Caique Questions

[Se0ultrain]

Hello all,

It's nice to meet you all. I've been lurking on this board for a few weeks now and appreciate all the expert advice that his been shared over these forums. It also looks like a really great, friendly community here. Very different from the sports forums I post on hahaha.

I'll cut to the chase. When I was younger, I owned two budgies (good experience) and a cockatiel (bad experience). (I also have a Jack Russell Terrier hehe). I wouldn't consider myself an expert, but I'd consider myself very comfortable in handling birds and taking care of them. Recently, I have been doing a TON of research on possibly getting another bird. At first, I was very interested in getting a conure but the more I researched, the more caiques have begun to stand out. They seem like very friendly, clownish birds and look to be great companions.

Certainly, purchasing a bird or any pet should never be an impulse consideration so I've been conducting my due diligence in trying to get as much information as possible so as to make a good decision. So, I humbly seek the advice of any caique owners that would be willing to help. Thanks in advance!

1. Is there any specific reason why they are priced where they are (i.e. 800 - 1200)? Whereas a conure, for example, will only be several hundred?

2. In terms of care and upkeep, what are the differences between owning/raising a caique vs. a cockatiel? I had no problem with the upkeep of a cockatiel (aside from the fact that we couldn't even feed it without it attacking us). I know people have often mentioned caiques are not good "starter" birds. Could any of you offer some more specifics as to why and how that is the case?

3. I've found that caiques do not get along with other species. Is this the case between a BHC and a WBC?

4. What are some of the common difficulties involved in owning and caring for a caique? Are there any specific needs/concerns that are unique to caiques?

5. About how many hours a day is appropriate to spend with a caique? I would not purchase one until my job situation settles down and it would not be fair to the bird nor myself if I could not give it the time it deserves.

6. How messy/destructive are they compared to other birds?

7. Do any of you also own conures? (Green cheeked or duskys). What are some of the differences in both taking care of them vs. taking care of your caique? How about personality wise?

8. Are caiques "one-person" birds? How are they when guests are over?

9. Are they good apartment birds? I've heard mixed reports on their noise levels, though the ones I've actually interacted with have been fine noisewise.

Thanks so much guys! I'm looking forward to hearing from you. :)

[Flappuccino]

Originally Posted by Se0ultrain

1. Is there any specific reason why they are priced where they are (i.e. 800 - 1200)? Whereas a conure, for example, will only be several hundred?
I think because they are a larger bird, and are more difficult to handfeed, and are less common.

2. In terms of care and upkeep, what are the differences between owning/raising a caique vs. a cockatiel? I had no problem with the upkeep of a cockatiel (aside from the fact that we couldn't even feed it without it attacking us). I know people have often mentioned caiques are not good "starter" birds. Could any of you offer some more specifics as to why and how that is the case?
Bigger cage requirements, as far as upkeep. Not good starter birds because of the time, their energy, need more out of cage time, you can't really leave them alone for a second. They're like little puppies.

3. I've found that caiques do not get along with other species. Is this the case between a BHC and a WBC?
Generally true of both. There are exceptions, but they tend to be very bird-aggressive.
4. What are some of the common difficulties involved in owning and caring for a caique? Are there any specific needs/concerns that are unique to caiques?
Again, you have to watch them all the time. They must have stimulating things to do.
5. About how many hours a day is appropriate to spend with a caique? I would not purchase one until my job situation settles down and it would not be fair to the bird nor myself if I could not give it the time it deserves.
Ideally, several hours per day.
6. How messy/destructive are they compared to other birds?
VERY. By far my messiest and most destructive. He's not a real wood chewer, but clothing- forget about it! Great at destroying his toys, too. (But that's what they're there for).
7. Do any of you also own conures? (Green cheeked or duskys). What are some of the differences in both taking care of them vs. taking care of your caique? How about personality wise?
I have a GCC. He is mellow and virtually silent. A very easy keeper. Just an angel. My caique is a bully. He's very loud and bossy right now, as it is hormone season.
8. Are caiques "one-person" birds? How are they when guests are over?
Mine likes anyone.
9. Are they good apartment birds? I've heard mixed reports on their noise levels, though the ones I've actually interacted with have been fine noisewise.
If my Nokomis lived in an apartment, we'd be asked to leave in less than a week.
Thanks so much guys! I'm looking forward to hearing from you. :)

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[Flappuccino]

oops- just deleted duplicate post. Server just went haywire for a second.

[rockybird]

Flappucino summed it up perfectly, from my experience. My only difference might be that my caique does not like other people and will try to attack anyone who takes me away from him...such as boyfriends. He bites terribly, often almost bad enough to warrant stitches. He basically dictates my life right now, as I think he is very temperamental due to breeding season.

He is VERY messy and loves to make messes. He knocks any dish he can find off the counter. As soon as my back is turned, he tries to unlatch all of my gcc's dishes and knock them off. He flings food everywhere. He has damaged many of my clothes. He is currently working on my new lamp wood base. I gave up and let him have it. It will be a matter of toothpicks soon. He chewed up the steering column of my new Toyota Highlander (dont ask how).

He accepts my gcc as the gcc was here first. He will attack to kill any new bird that comes in the house (he has not had the chance) but he will do his darndest to get to them.

Good points: a real clown, loves to wrestle, cuddles, mostly potty trained.

Bad points: very demanding, jealous, can be loud, bites viciously, messy.

The gcc is a real doll. He is my mellow little guy. He is potty trained (mostly), he wants nothing more than to snuggle against my neck and just hang out with me. He is very quiet and is not TOO destructive. He will snuggle quietly while I work on things ont he computer (the caique will not sit still, not even for 5 secs. - you have to constantly keep your eye on them). The gcc plays little birdie games. He learned not to bite. He is extremely affectionate. I love both birds, but sometimes I wish I had thought twice before buying a caique!

[Se0ultrain]

Ahh, I see, I see. Very interesting.

Few more questions if you don't mind!

How hormonal do caiques get compared to other birds? It seems there is more variance to their behavior than other birds.

On a similar note, how much difference in behavior is there from the initial honeymoon period to once they get "settled" into the household - and then once they hit maturity? For example, there is this one WBC at a bird store I go to - and he is very quiet, not nippy at all, and after just a few minutes of interacting with it, it lets me play with it on its back - the people at the store nicknamed me The Bird Whisperer hahaha. Would there be a big shift in that type of behavior once the honeymoon period and/or sexual maturity hits?

From what I heard so far, it seems like these caiques can consume your lives to the point where it's difficult to socialize or even date with other people??? Are they really that high maintenance?

Thanks again guys.

[slic102]

I have a one year old male bh caique and also belong to a caique forum, so I will give you my experience as well as what I've read on the caique forum.

1. Is there any specific reason why they are priced where they are (i.e. 800 - 1200)? Whereas a conure, for example, will only be several hundred? Because they are not very commonly kept birds right now, and are more difficult to breed.

2. In terms of care and upkeep, what are the differences between owning/raising a caique vs. a cockatiel? I had no problem with the upkeep of a cockatiel (aside from the fact that we couldn't even feed it without it attacking us). I know people have often mentioned caiques are not good "starter" birds. Could any of you offer some more specifics as to why and how that is the case? Never have had a cockatiel, but we do have several other birds. As far as the upkeep, I don't really see much difference. Pogo's diet is a bit different than for example, my quaker, since they have a very high metabolism, but that just means that he gets some nuts, dried fruits and fresh fruits that the quaker can't have due to being prone to fatty liver disease (the quaker).

3. I've found that caiques do not get along with other species. Is this the case between a BHC and a WBC? No, the two types of caiques can get along fine. One word of caution however...I do know someone who had a pair of caiques (both black headed) who lived together for about 6 years. One day he came home, and one of the caiques had killed the other one. That is the only case of that happening that I know of, and I've always read that caiques are one of the only species of parrots that can be caged together and still remain bonded with their humans. For that reason, I'd never cage 2 together....but as I said, I really don't think this is the NORM.

4. What are some of the common difficulties involved in owning and caring for a caique? Are there any specific needs/concerns that are unique to caiques? First of all, because of their high energy levels, they need a much larger cage than a similar sized parrot of a differing species. For caiques, the bigger the cage the better. Mine lives in a cage like this one: Grey Palace 9003223 Dometop - Great Medium sized cage - FREE Shipping and he uses every single inch of it. Also, they really need more out of cage play time than other parrots as they are so energetic. Right now, Pogo (our caique) cannot be trusted to be out of his cage unsupervised, and our other 2 medium sized parrots have an open cage all day. He just is too curious and seems to have no fear whatsoever. We have to be right with him if he's out, and 9 times out of 10 forget him playing on his own if out....he wants to be right where we are all the time. Loves to "hand wrestle", roll around on his back, hang from things (and from us) and would rather hop from place to place than to fly. My poor dogs are terrified of him because he will jump on their backs any chance he gets. He's more of a feathered puppy than a bird I swear!!

5. About how many hours a day is appropriate to spend with a caique? I would not purchase one until my job situation settles down and it would not be fair to the bird nor myself if I could not give it the time it deserves. Ours is out with us for at least 3-4 hours a day. He goes non stop from the moment he wakes until it gets dark.

6. How messy/destructive are they compared to other birds? Well, all parrots are messy and destructive, just part of the nature of the birds. In comparison to my other 2 similar sized birds, he is actually much less messy. He tends to only poop in one area of his cage, shreds toys like there is no tomorrow, but so do my other 2. As long as you keep lots of toys for them, and rotate them often, that's really not a problem.

7. Do any of you also own conures? (Green cheeked or duskys). What are some of the differences in both taking care of them vs. taking care of your caique? How about personality wise? My conure is a sun conure so I can't really comment about this question. My sun is much louder, messier, and a bit on the skittish side.

8. Are caiques "one-person" birds? How are they when guests are over? Caiques are not known to become one person birds as many other species do. Pogo loves my and my husband both. If you'd asked me a week ago who he prefered, I'd have said hubby. This week he seems to prefer me. All in all he just loves anyone. Usually will go to men over women, but will go to about anyone if it means he can come out of his cage...lol. Believe it or not, he is even gentle enough right now that my 4 year old grandson can handle him.

9. Are they good apartment birds? I've heard mixed reports on their noise levels, though the ones I've actually interacted with have been fine noisewise. Pogo is by far our quietest bird, but then I've heard other people say theirs are extremely loud. It just depends on the bird. Pogo doesn't do any sort of annoying scream like my sun conure does, and he's no where near as loud as my quaker. He tends to whistle, beep, and make other cute noises. He now does my little linnie's call perfectly which is funny since she is the quietest out of all four of my fids.

So....from what I've learned since being owned by a caique is that they really vary from bird to bird. I've read lots of posts on the caique board with people talking about their birds cuddling, etc. Not so with mine....he won't sit still for 2 seconds, and forget scritches...he just wants to play. I have also heard that they go through an extremely bad hormonal stage around 2-2 1/2 years of age when they start reaching sexual maturity. We've not gotten to that point yet. It passes though, and they do calm down as they get older. They do play much rougher than other parrots, and some people would say they are pretty beaky, but it's more playing rough than trying to be mean. I ADORE my caique and wouldn't trade him for anything in the world. He makes me laugh constantly, and is always a source of joy in our lives. Some people say that the wb's are calmer than the bh's, but not always the case as I've read stories of some seriously crazy wb's as well. I guess when people say they aren't good started birds, they are just referring to their activity levels, and the fact that in no way could these birds ever be considered calm birds. Pogo was our second bird, and I've never regretted bringing him home for a single second.

Hope I was of some help!

[Flappuccino]

[/B]

Originally Posted by Se0ultrain

How hormonal do caiques get compared to other birds? It seems there is more variance to their behavior than other birds.
I have never noticed any hormonal changes with either of my smaller birds. Even when my lovie is laying eggs, she's still cool with me. I've heard of small birds becoming hormonal, but I think it's more pronounced the larger the bird.

On a similar note, how much difference in behavior is there from the initial honeymoon period to once they get "settled" into the household - and then once they hit maturity? For example, there is this one WBC at a bird store I go to - and he is very quiet, not nippy at all, and after just a few minutes of interacting with it, it lets me play with it on its back - the people at the store nicknamed me The Bird Whisperer hahaha. Would there be a big shift in that type of behavior once the honeymoon period and/or sexual maturity hits?
My caique was almost 4 when I got him, so I don't know about him. I've heard that the hormonal stuff happens beginning around age 2. There definitely was a "honeymoon period", but I think that's true of most birds in a new situation.

From what I heard so far, it seems like these caiques can consume your lives to the point where it's difficult to socialize or even date with other people??? Are they really that high maintenance?
High maintenance- absolutely. I wouldn't say he consumes my life at all- but in order for such a high energy bird to be happy, they can't be locked in a cage for as long as say, a conure or a cockatiel. They need much more attention. Behavior problems could arise very quickly with these guys if not kept busy. I'm so glad he's mine, and I wouldn't trade him for the world. My family, while they love to play with him, and watch the funny things he does, and listen to him talk, have just about had it with the noise. Caiques are wonderful, fun little birds. Full of energy and mostly sweet. I'm just being honest about the fact that there may be some drawbacks to keeping one, depending on your situation. You never know, the one you pick may be the calmest, most loving caique in the world. Thanks again guys.

Let us know what you choose. I'm sure you'll be thrilled, no matter what species you pick!

[Se0ultrain]

Slic, thank you so much! That was great information. (I hope I am not annoying everyone with all my questions!)

About how much money does it cost approximately on a month by month basis to maintain a caique properly? I'm not talking about minimum costs, rather, the amount to give it what it needs to be happy and comfortable.

I'm glad to hear that 3-4 hours a day is sufficient. I was worried that that wouldn't be enough. And certainly on weekends I would clown around with it all day. I am an attorney and was concerned that my job hours would prohibit me from owning one. That said, do they keep themselves entertained fairly well when they are alone?

Are caiques the type of birds that own YOU rather the other way around?

Being from NY, it seems that it's hard to find a good breeder in the area. birdfarm.com seems like a FANTASTIC place to purchase a bird but I really do not want to purchase any bird, dog or anything without seeing the bird first. I wouldn't even purchase a shirt online without trying it on first so I definitely wouldn't buy a bird without doing so either hahaha. That said, if I did make a trip out to Ohio or upstate NY - being from the tri-state area, is that a bad idea to transport a bird in a car for that long?

Thanks for all the help everyone - the information has been fantastic!

[slic102]

I wouldn't worry about transporting a bird in the car for that long as long as he has food and water. I mean, they ship birds via planes and that would seem to be much more stressful in my opinion. I'm not really that familiar with where you are, but there is a wonderful breeder in the D.C./Virginia area called DJ Feathers. DJ Feathers Aviary - Hand-fed Parrots & Avian Products - Caiques Conures Cockatiels Gouldians Senegals Amazons I've heard nothing but good things about them and know quite a few people from other forums who have gotten their birds from them. I'm like you in that I could never "order" a bird having never seen it. All my birds have sort of "chosen me" when I was visiting them.

As far as a monthly cost....that's a bit hard to say. I guess somewhere in the neighborhood of 150.00 a month...but could be less. It's hard for me to say as I buy all my birds stuff together. Probably the most expensive thing is toys, which they destroy frequently. Other thing to consider is that avian vets are very very expensive. The initial testing I have done when I bring a new bird home is in the neighborhood of 225.00. If your bird gets ill, don't be surprised if you spend 500-600 dollars for vet care. I've only had that happen once with my quaker, but you never know.

Whether or not the keep themselves entertained depends on what you provide them in the way of toys/forraging opportunities for them.

LOL @ the question of if they own you....all my birds own me rather than the other way around....just how it is around here! :)

[Freedomoflight]

Slic answered your question so thoroughly I can't think of anything to add at the moment :)