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How often do your caiques bite you?

Tanaka0300

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Hi everyone. I'm considering getting a small parrot, but can't decide yet. I like caiques the most, they are so cute, so playful and I also like the colors. But I'm concerned about their behavior.



I've done some research and found that caiques are very nippy and can be super aggressive when hit puberty.
I've read the thread about "good bad ugly", a lot of good info there, but I want to ask more specifically.


So here are my questions:
  • How often do your caiques bite you?
  • Mostly they are hard or playful bites?
  • When they hit puberty, how bad could it be?
  • Can we change their behavior?


I used to own budgies and lovebirds before. I know parrots are nippy. I'm fine if they bite hard but not often or bite often but not hard.
 

Dona

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For 5 years my caiques were by far the most fun and fascinating birds I ever lived with. But then it changed. I posted my sad story in the G/B/U section. My female was feisty from the start but became very aggressive around age 5, eventually becoming impossible to handle at all. I became afraid of her despite having lots of large bird experience. My male was always sweet and never bit. My unrelated pair was put together at the breeder's home and lived happily together in the same large cage.

Maybe others can chime in if males are easier and bite less. Or if having a pair encouraged my female's behavior.
 

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T. gillii

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The problem with caiques, as someone who has never owned them but has interacted with them, is the fact that they bite, hold, and shake. They can cause alot of damage for the size of their beak. I knew a caique who was the sweetest bird ever in the shop, until he got adopted. Attacked the owner, came back, and attacked multiple other people. He ended up in a good home, but they can be very unpredictable and honestly I would recommend a conure if you want a fun personality with less of a threat :D Though I do adore caiques, that's a level of crazy too high for me!!
 

Mizzely

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Let me start by saying I don't have personal experience.

Another thing to consider is that they can and will kill other birds, so if you got one, it would be best to not get any other species.

Personally I like Caiques from afar. I've had many species, but Caiques are firmly on my "never" list!
 

CrazyKozmo

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The problem with caiques, as someone who has never owned them but has interacted with them, is the fact that they bite, hold, and shake. They can cause alot of damage for the size of their beak. I knew a caique who was the sweetest bird ever in the shop, until he got adopted. Attacked the owner, came back, and attacked multiple other people. He ended up in a good home, but they can be very unpredictable and honestly I would recommend a conure if you want a fun personality with less of a threat :D Though I do adore caiques, that's a level of crazy too high for me!!
"that's a level of crazy that's too high for me!" totally cracked me up! Gave me a great laugh to begin my day! But true, my husband and I refer to ours as "the Crazies"!! :laughin: You have a valid point! (mine are 10 and a half )
 

Ozarkarts

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For 5 years my caiques were by far the most fun and fascinating birds I ever lived with. But then it changed. I posted my sad story in the G/B/U section. My female was feisty from the start but became very aggressive around age 5, eventually becoming impossible to handle at all. I became afraid of her despite having lots of large bird experience. My male was always sweet and never bit. My unrelated pair was put together at the breeder's home and lived happily together in the same large cage.

Maybe others can chime in if males are easier and bite less. Or if having a pair encouraged my female's behavior.
I have two white breasted caiques who will be 2 years old in September. My female (Winky) is the most playful, gentle bird you will ever meet. She has bitten me pretty hard by accident while playing (usually while tearing up my shirt…), but has never broken the skin. I HAVE seen her get really mad and go after the male with blood in her eye, and she can put him in his place very quickly..! The male (Dobby) is the MOST bitey/nippy bird and has bitten me very hard MANY times. He has a problem with the feathers on his right wing, so it can get sore sometimes if he plays with Winky too hard. If he is in pain - WATCH OUT! He will bite VERY hard and can draw blood (not a lot of blood so far…). He is a rascal and will play hard and nip too hard - MUCH harder than the cockatiel I used to have. He can also get mad and very stubborn, and when he gets that way he will also bite too hard. I do worry that once hormones really hit that he may become dangerous, but I am hoping my relationship with him by that time will be strong enough that that won’t be the case. I also know that sometimes no matter what you do, these birds can become very aggressive…
 

Irishj9

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For 5 years my caiques were by far the most fun and fascinating birds I ever lived with. But then it changed. I posted my sad story in the G/B/U section. My female was feisty from the start but became very aggressive around age 5, eventually becoming impossible to handle at all.
Maybe others can chime in if males are easier and bite less. Or if having a pair encouraged my female's behavior.
I have 13 caiques, youngest 3years, average age 8
Oldest female is Cha_Cha, 12 years, and the lady of the house. If she bites you, its because you deserved it.
She doesnt suffer fools ( much like me) so I understand her. She doesnt speak english, but her body language is VERY VERY clear.
Males are easier, but only because they are less prone to hormonal spikes than the females
But they can have their moods too.

Having a mate influenced your hens beheaviour - for the better.
 
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DianaGayel

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I had a pair of white bellied caiques. Sadly my female died. She had a deformed foot and in my experience this is often an indicator of other health issues. We handled her often and she was mostly friendly. She would bite randomly though and I could never really predict it. ( bit hard) the male has always been very nippy. He loves me to scratch his head and neck but he tries to attack my husband anytime he can. He flies at his head and tries to bite him.
they are very comical to watch; very acrobatic but if you want a sweet bird to handle I would look to another species. Sun conures are usually very sweet and absolutely gorgeous.
They can be very loud though.
 

greys4u

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Valentine is a conure very sweet and gentle. She has habits but not harmful, she will give nips for no reason. If you have a animal shelter and they have birds, even a store, take a look, you may find your heart bird.
 
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