Caique Temperament & Advice

[IanJ]

Hello!

I wonder if some people could share some experience and advice about Caiques?

I’m looking for a feathery friends and I’ve narrowed down to a Caique or a Conure (although I prefer Caiques! ).

Advice online seems to be conflicting, so I thought I’d share my experiences and get advice from existing owners.

My first question, is there anyone who has had a mostly positive experience with Caiques, without MAJOR drama or SERIOUS bites?

I’m expecting some drama, mischief and some nips or warning bites - it comes with the territory! But I’m trying to understand where the horror stories of shocking attacks and completely unhandalable bird are the standard or the exception?

I’m wondering if at 2years, the birds have largely developed their personality?

I’ve had two experiences with two separate caiques that were 2+years of age in pet shops.


One looked adorable and sweetly doing his own this around the shop, but when he was encouraged to step up he refused two people and bit one (pretty hard!). He also refused to go back in to his cage and would go to bite if attempts were made to get him on a finger. Eventually he stepped on a stick and was put back in his cage )

The shop keeper said “sometimes he’s like that, but he gets better once he gets to know people”

It was hilarious to watch, but in a way that I was glad he wasn’t my bird!

I decided 100% he wasn’t for me.

The other was a curious one.

The pet shop owner advised he’d been brought in, because he’d developed a distaste for women with long blonde hair and they’d experienced the behaviour in the shop.

The owner said I could handle him if I wanted to, that he was usually fine, but we’d know very quickly if he didn’t like me…

…Well, turns out he was good as gold! He sat on my shoulder, whistled and chattered and would happily step up and allowed me to put him in and out of his cage.

I returned a few days later and he was exactly the same! The sweetest little thing.

I’m smitten

I wanted to get experienced owners and breeders take on this however.

I want to understand…

* does this sound like he’s largely formed his personality and that he’s just decided he doesn’t like females with long blonde hair?

* do caiqies regularly turn nasty? I mean… is this par for the course or do many people have mostly good relationships with their caique?

* do caiques (somewhat like amazons) develop grudges with some people, but remain lovely for their favourites? Or is this a slippery slope of ‘the first’ person they dislike and it goes downhill from there?

Essentially this little bird has really got me smitten and he’s good as gold with me.

I quite like the idea of a rehome, because there are so many parrots that get abandoned or rescued, so this would fit that intention, but I want to do my research first.

I’m super clear there are no guarantees, but as this is a 20 year commitment, it’s helpful to seek some input from more experienced people as to whether is a sensible risk, or whether experience says this is a bad bad idea and has a high likelihood of ending in tears for everyone involved!

Thanks so much for any pointers or advice!

Ian

 

[Emma&pico]

Sorry not related but I would love to know what (parrot) pet shop you have been to in uk

 

[IanJ]

Two shops that I have been impressed with. Wilton’s in Basildon and Haaris’s pets in Barkingside.

 

[Caiquer]

One of the complaints that I see with people who own caiques is that they turn very quickly, and tend to have moodier personalities. Our avian vet describes them as "killer clowns" and everyone jokingly refers to my caique as "Pennywise."

I think this is largely due to the fact that their playful energy can quickly turn into aggression, making them hard to predict. A lot of people don't see their bites coming and they bite HARD. Most of the caiques that I've met are like that, although there can certainly be exceptions. I volunteer with a local rescue and most of the caiques that I have come across have been fairly typical (naughty).

I adopted my caique when he was 16, and for about three days he loved my husband...then attacked him so severely that their relationship never recovered. I think it just depends on the owner, their level of experience, and their willingness to work through any potential bites.

I have a great relationship with my caique, but we had to reach a level of understanding with each other before we got there (meaning I had to take some pretty nasty bites for seemingly no good reason). I say just make sure to do your research and go into the experience with confidence!

 

[IanJ]

Eeek, ok that’s pretty harsh. That said, if its a bite through play, I can probably take that.

I’ve been hard bitten by an Amazon a few times, so I’m thinking a caique is probably less severe.

And to be fair, every time I’ve been bitten by (my dads) Amazon, is because I didn’t pay attention or I took too bigger risk knowing that he’s got a grudge against me.

I think what would be too much would be a serious face bite or a bird that turned unpredictably nasty and that actively sought to hurt me.

Rough play and the odd bleeding finger I can understand/tolerate. Unprovoked pierced lips, nose or ears would probably have me lose trust in the bird.

 

[IanJ]

Hi everyone

Thanks so much for your help.

I considered all of the angles really carefully and in the end I brought a Conure.

I was a bit nervous of the Caiques beak when he was on me and from all of the discussions I’ve had on this and other forums, they seem to be quite challenging for a beginner like me.

I met a Conure today who was sweet mixture of mildly timid, but friendly after stepping up and a bit mischievous in the shop.

The mischief in fact really helped, because it showed me how handleable the bird was and I had no fear in retrieving him from awkward places with my hands and his beak was small enough that I didn’t fear him at all.

I did adore the older Caique that needs a rehome, but in all honesty, I think he’ll be better with a more confident caretaker. It didn’t seem right to start a relationship with a bird feeling nervous about what might or might not unfold.

Thanks to everyone, the insights on here have been invaluable.

By the way, meet Gizmo, my new buddy…

 

[2fruitcaiq]

Congratulations on your new feathered baby. I know I'm late to the thread and you've already settled on a conure but I thought I'd add my experience in case that helps future caique parents.

Caiques are very unique parrots. I think as long as potential owners do the research, know the pros and cons and are willing to put in a lot of time and learn how to handle possible issues then its worth taking the risk in rehoming one. It may not be easy but they deserve to have a chance with people who will give them a good life and are understanding of their tricky personalities. A lot of articles say they're recommended for experienced parrot owners and that's good advice because a lot of people only see the cute and funny things they do on social media. But I believe first time owners can be successful too. I speak from the experience of being a newbie, although it's been a steep learning curve with several challenges I am so proud of far my 2 caiques and I have come.

 

[Trent84]

congratulations on your new baby!
Conures are great little things. I have a rescue one which is quite challenging, but it's still so adorable and cute that I can't help but love him. They have big and bold personalities too!