New Member from MN

[birdlover912]

For awhile my sister and I have been tossing around the idea of a caique, but we have some questions that we can't seem to find the answers to. I'm glad we came across this site!

I'm not sure where I should post my questions, so I'll post them here, but I can move them if they are in the incorrect area of the forum:


1.How suitable are they for the novice bird owner? We have owned small birds for almost a decade, but nothing larger than a conure(We currently have a peach front conure, cockatiel, and 3 budgies). We understand the importance of out of cage time, training, toys, foraging experiences, etc. Would larger bird experience be a necessity to own a caique?

2.How do they get along with other birds? I've heard they can be aggressive toward other birds, but other sources contradict that. Does it depend only on the individual bird, or is it an entire species thing? Would they be considered dangerous to smaller birds, no matter the individual?

3.Do they get to be 'demons' when they are sexually mature? Like make you bleed repeatedly? We understand all birds get moody around this period of their life, but are they as horrible as people say they are? Are they worse than other parrots during the breeding season?

We have had a bit of hands on experience with baby caiques and they were the sweetest things, but we want to research them to see if they are right for us.


Noise and space aren't issues at our house. I am doing college from home while my sister is homeschooled, so the birds are out for much of the day.

Thanks! :)

[kristencg]

Caiques are not birds for novices. I had never owned birds before and if Joe hadn't been around birds his entire life I wouldn't have known what to do. I think it sounds like you guys have enough experience but I'd wait and see what other people would say.

Caiques, I believe, tend to get along well with other caiques if they are introduced into the a new environment around the same time. I've also heard that they will accept any of the birds that are already in their new environment but any birds that you get after them will not be accepted.

As for sexually mature, I have no idea. Sorry

Hope I helped at least a little bit.

Welcome to CCF!

[Maia'sMom]

Well, I am not sure how to answer the novice question. I had never owned a bird or handled a bird and I got a caique. And I couldn't be happier. She is a delight. She is 16 months old and I have had her since she was 9 weeks old. She doesn't pose a challenge to me but I know some will say that they are not a good first bird or a bird for a novice. You have experience so you will be fine.

My little girl is only 16 months so we haven't experienced the hormonal stage that people tell horror stories about. I have spoken with numerous people who have caiques that are older and have had no issues at all. The owners of the store I purchased Maia from, Bird Paradise have 4 caiques and no issues. Another owner there has one and no issues. I spoke with a woman who has a 7 year old, no issues. When I came to this site a lot of people were telling me horror stories of demon caiques during the raging hormones. I was so upset that I was going to have to go through this. I did a lot of research and a lot of talking to people and I am no longer worried about this. I have spoken to over 12 owners of older birds and have not found one yet who has seen a drastic change.

Hope I helped.

[Emily]

Welcome welcome!

As Beth said, the whole demon thing can range from bird to bird. I've experienced it, some others that I talked to have, others haven't, and others are on the fence. It all comes down to the individual bird.

[birdlover912]

Thanks so much for all of the replies everyone! It sounds like a caique may be right for us! We'll continue to do more research...:boogie

[Janette]

Personally, I would not recommend a caique as a first bird - but it's not your first bird is it? You already have bird experience. You just have to know that a caique is not your average bird and their strong personality requires firm and loving guidance to keep their pet qualities in tact. I had budgies, and conures before I got my caique (and have previously owned cockatiels), but I just made sure I did my homework before I made the committment to bring a caique into my life. I have never regretted it for a moment. He is the best little bird.

Now having said that - you must know that caiques can be very aggressive with other birds, it doesnt matter what size they are. Spike is a sweetheart but he would readily kill my budgies if he could only get hold of one. There is nothing I can do to change this attitude. At the moment the conures harrass him, but that is slowly going to turn around when he gets alittle older, I think he will be the one doing the harrassment. I would never ever leave him alone with another bird. Now some caiques here get along with other birds, it is an individual thing, and you will have to assess the situation when you get a caique. Just don't expect it to get along with all your other birds.

Spike is almost 2 and has not changed in personality = but I have to work on that. You must be consistant in guiding your birds behaviour. Spike is the funniest, cutest, craziest creature I have ever met and I love him to pieces! He is the perfect bird, like a big parrot in a little body, very smart, on a neverending quest for fun. He makes me laugh every day.

[Holly-Noelle]

I have four birds now (see picture) and I got my male Caique first then my female Caique. The male Sun was supposed to be a resocializing thing but we kept him and the female Jenday arrived months later. When supervised, and I wouldn't allow my birds out together without watching them, they all get along. Sometimes the female Caique gets a bit aggressive toward the Sun but I quickly put a stop to it, other times she'll preen him. You sound like you can handle a Caique and as long as you watch it with the other birds they can all spend time together for part of the day after you've introduced them and allowed them to get to know each other if they appear to get along. Just remember they need more dicipline than a lot of other species.

[Looony2nz]

Hi ! I have lived with different birds growing up / all my life...almost all of my 41 years. Caiques are really not for beginners, and they can be very determined to get what they want. I had 2 rescues who supposedly lived together with each other (a bH and a wb) but upon their arrival, the bh decided he would be aggressive toward the WB and after that, the WB turned into an upredictable demon. I have a scar on my hand to prove it. They CAN get like that either during maturity (about 3 yrs old) or via other circumstances (perhaps the uprooting of their home as in their rehoming).

The WB, it turned out, was not suitable as a family pet any longer and I turned her over to a breeder friend who said she is living a wonderful life as a breeder bird.

My remaining BH is a very tough cookie who has his demon moments, but is most definitely a pet. You just have to watch his moods. My new WB baby (now 1) is still young. I am curious to see what happens around maturity. Hopefully nothing much !!!!

Caiques have been described as permanent 2 yr olds!!!

Good luck !

[Ebony]

I can't give much advice because Nani is still so young...4 1/2 months. But I think with your experience a Caique would be just fine. I've had a Quaker parrot, Cockatiel, and a Budgie, and your bird experience sounds similar. You know what you're doing.

Also, hi from Eagan, MN! w00t

[Kokomo]

Welcome aboard. The folks here are very nice to say the least. I've learned a ton from asking and searching and lurking here. What I can tell you with certainty is that no one here can make your decision for you as well as you can. My OPINION is if you want one get one. You aren't bird-illiterate and you have us for any questions regarding any problems that could arise.

[Jaclyn]

Welcome to the forum.

I think that if you are willing to put in the work and educate yourself, a ciaque can be right for even someone's first bird. My caique was my first bird (other than owning budgies when I was younger) and I did a lot of research first to make sure that I would be a good owner. I also think that caiques like being the only bird in the house, so that kind of contradicts the "not your first bird" opinion, in my opinion.

Let us know what you decide. Did you look into where to get one in your area?

[LeRoy's owner]

Caiques are wonderful little birds that will bring you a lot of laughs. You do have to put the work into setting boundries and sticking to them. Otherwise I agree with Kokomo, if you want one, get one. We are all here to help. Welcome aboard. To answer another part of your question- Leroy does not like my lovebird. They cannot be together.

[birdlover912]

Thanks again for all of the replies! I'm learning so much! :dance

I have been looking into where we might adopt our caique, and I haven't found a breeder in my area, but there are frequently homeless and unwanted caiques on my local craigslist and such. Almost all of our birds have been rescues, so we have rescue experience.

I adopted my conure from a breeder in Georgia(I'm in Minnesota; Hi Ebony! :) ) via an airplane, so that is always a possibililty.

Again thank you all so much! Everyone is so friendly and helpful here! :clap
I will definatly keep you up to date with what my sister and I decide to do!

[Taylor]

One thing about caiques that I don't think anyone mentioned yet is that they are very beaky birds. This just means that they explore things with their beak a lot, such as holding on to your finger with their beak before stepping up. They love to wrestle on their backs and use their beaks as a third foot!

[LeRoy's owner]

This is very true and a good point that shouldn't be over looked. :)

[Sillypup5]

yes, Kiwi loves to constantly chew on my hands, clothes, and whatever else she can get her beak around. She doesn't normally bite all that hard, just likes the chewy 'texture' of my fingers I guess.

[birdlover912]

My sister and I noticed that when we were handling some baby white bellied caiques at a pet store! Their beaking didn't hurt, it was more like nibbling. I think it is adorable! :)

[birdlover912]

My sister and I have decided not to get a caique at this time. Our school is taking up more time than we thought, and we've had to start a second job. Maybe someday! :)

[Sillypup5]

It sounds like you are both very responsible and caring people. I hope you will someday be able to get the bird of your dreams!! Good on you for making the right choice for this point in your lives!! Feel free to stick around here and learn stuff about these wonderful birds so you will be even more prepared when the time comes for you to get one of your own :D There needs to be A LOT more people like you in this world!

[LeRoy's owner]

I agree- you did your homework on caiques and made the right decision in not getting one at this time. They need attention and if you gals are both so busy then now is not the right time. It's nice to know that you are so responsible.

[Chelle]

I am so happy that you shared your decision with us. As happy as I would be for and to you if you had chosen to take in a needy bird, I am happy that you know your limits and are not getting another animal for selfish reasons.

[birdlover912]

Thanks everyone! It has been a difficult choice on my part especially, but it's great to hear from others that I made the right one. :redface

I'll stick around and I'll let you know if we ever get our dream bird. :dance