I don't even know where to start...
I feel like I've just dodged a bullet. I didn't end up getting the BHC I mentioned in an earlier thread. Although I would have loved it with all my heart, it was admittedly a premature decision to make on such a whim.
The more I read on Caiques, the more I am beginning to see that they seem like positively playful little bundles of hyperactive fun and joy... for only the first 2-4 years of their life. Then puberty hits.
They are given the nickname the "Clowns of the Parrot World", presumably for their premature years, and the "Dr. Jekylls and Mr. Hides of the Parrot World" most likely referring to the puberty phase where they encompass many different and unpredictable personalities.
While hormonal changes are something to be found in all bird species, from what I'm reading it seems like caiques are more likely to experience a more severe change in personality. This change seems to become ingrained in them no matter how much you try to "work" with them to behave better. Instead, I'm finding people "adapting" to their bird's new personality (like wearing long sleeves when ever handling the bird) instead of hearing about successes in behavior modification training.
I also am finding more and more cases of Caiques being extremely aggressive towards other people in the household, whether they live there or are visitors. I've read many stories of Caiques not staying put on their play gym or cage top, and seeking out to attack another person or animal. I want my guests to be able to enjoy my bird as much as I get to.
I plan on not only having multiple birds, but a cat and dog, and eventually children! Human ones! I don't want to have a bird attack my infant, and I don't want to have to decrease its out-of-cage time for the new babies in the house. That's not fair.
The more I see it, the more I find that I am setting myself up for a disaster. I don't want to be in a position where I even have to go near considering rehoming my darling bird, no matter how undarling he might be.
But all the good things about them define my idea of a dream bird...
I know no bird is perfect, but with the number of warning signs out there for this particular species, it seems a well mannered mature caique is a lot to hope for.
In preparation of getting my Caique, I have been putting a heavy amount of research into clicker training and trick training. With that I plan on doing my best to stimulate my bird mentally, and teach him through positive reinforcement that playing nicely means more play and treats, and playing too rough or screaming will result in absence of my attention, play, and treats. I can only hope that he exercises the same concepts with other people who want to play with him.
Ive read "Those Crazy Caiques" by Judith A Woods, and "Good Bird" by Barbara Heidenreich. I have "The Parrot Problem Solver" on its way in the mail, and am looking at "Clicker Training for Birds" by Melinda Johnson and "Bird School" by Ann Castro as my next book purchases.
I plan on conditioning him that treats mean he is doing something right, and losing my attention means doing something wrong. I plan on teaching him a variety of tricks that are fun for both him and I (puzzles, acrobatics, etc). I plan on exercising my caique like crazy (even looking into the Aviator harness for flight training and exercise), socializing him with other people and birds, and just exposing him to as much as possible. I am going to provide him with as many things as I can to keep him occupied when I can't be giving him all my attention. I plan on providing him with a healthy variety of meals as caiques are eating machines.
But how much does a structured upbringing change who they are going to be once they mature?
Am I wrong in thinking that they eventually turn into violent, territorial demons?
Is the change just a phase? How long does it last? How frequently does it reoccur?
I've read numerous people talking about how they go through their two or so weeks where they are horrible, but is that on top of a general shift towards being more aggressive all the time?
I haven't completely changed my mind about getting a Caique, I've just taken many steps back and am looking at this new addition into my life as one big picture (as everyone considering getting a bird should, I'm almost ashamed of having jumped into this so quickly as I should know better).
Sorry I've been so pesky about the topic of Caiques lately, Avian Avenue. I appreciate your help and support.
I feel like I've just dodged a bullet. I didn't end up getting the BHC I mentioned in an earlier thread. Although I would have loved it with all my heart, it was admittedly a premature decision to make on such a whim.
The more I read on Caiques, the more I am beginning to see that they seem like positively playful little bundles of hyperactive fun and joy... for only the first 2-4 years of their life. Then puberty hits.
They are given the nickname the "Clowns of the Parrot World", presumably for their premature years, and the "Dr. Jekylls and Mr. Hides of the Parrot World" most likely referring to the puberty phase where they encompass many different and unpredictable personalities.
While hormonal changes are something to be found in all bird species, from what I'm reading it seems like caiques are more likely to experience a more severe change in personality. This change seems to become ingrained in them no matter how much you try to "work" with them to behave better. Instead, I'm finding people "adapting" to their bird's new personality (like wearing long sleeves when ever handling the bird) instead of hearing about successes in behavior modification training.
I also am finding more and more cases of Caiques being extremely aggressive towards other people in the household, whether they live there or are visitors. I've read many stories of Caiques not staying put on their play gym or cage top, and seeking out to attack another person or animal. I want my guests to be able to enjoy my bird as much as I get to.
I plan on not only having multiple birds, but a cat and dog, and eventually children! Human ones! I don't want to have a bird attack my infant, and I don't want to have to decrease its out-of-cage time for the new babies in the house. That's not fair.
The more I see it, the more I find that I am setting myself up for a disaster. I don't want to be in a position where I even have to go near considering rehoming my darling bird, no matter how undarling he might be.
But all the good things about them define my idea of a dream bird...
I know no bird is perfect, but with the number of warning signs out there for this particular species, it seems a well mannered mature caique is a lot to hope for.
In preparation of getting my Caique, I have been putting a heavy amount of research into clicker training and trick training. With that I plan on doing my best to stimulate my bird mentally, and teach him through positive reinforcement that playing nicely means more play and treats, and playing too rough or screaming will result in absence of my attention, play, and treats. I can only hope that he exercises the same concepts with other people who want to play with him.
Ive read "Those Crazy Caiques" by Judith A Woods, and "Good Bird" by Barbara Heidenreich. I have "The Parrot Problem Solver" on its way in the mail, and am looking at "Clicker Training for Birds" by Melinda Johnson and "Bird School" by Ann Castro as my next book purchases.
I plan on conditioning him that treats mean he is doing something right, and losing my attention means doing something wrong. I plan on teaching him a variety of tricks that are fun for both him and I (puzzles, acrobatics, etc). I plan on exercising my caique like crazy (even looking into the Aviator harness for flight training and exercise), socializing him with other people and birds, and just exposing him to as much as possible. I am going to provide him with as many things as I can to keep him occupied when I can't be giving him all my attention. I plan on providing him with a healthy variety of meals as caiques are eating machines.
But how much does a structured upbringing change who they are going to be once they mature?
Am I wrong in thinking that they eventually turn into violent, territorial demons?
Is the change just a phase? How long does it last? How frequently does it reoccur?
I've read numerous people talking about how they go through their two or so weeks where they are horrible, but is that on top of a general shift towards being more aggressive all the time?
I haven't completely changed my mind about getting a Caique, I've just taken many steps back and am looking at this new addition into my life as one big picture (as everyone considering getting a bird should, I'm almost ashamed of having jumped into this so quickly as I should know better).
Sorry I've been so pesky about the topic of Caiques lately, Avian Avenue. I appreciate your help and support.