Hi! I am the reluctant owner of a 5 year old white headed female Caique named Mango and a 4 year old female pineapple conure named Pineapple (I know, very creative). These birds were my daughter’s babies. Until they weren’t. She will be going to college next year and won’t be able to take them with her. Nor should she. Once a crazy bird lover who had wanted a bird since she could crawl, she has moved on to other interests that don’t include birds unfortunately. That has left me caring for them. I knew that it might be the case when we first bought them and I committed to keeping them no matter what back then despite the fact that I’ve never been interested in birds. But Mango is just so sweet! Over the years she has bonded with me (I think) and attacks my daughter who, in all fairness had the tendency of trying control the birds rather than working with them where they are. We tried to explain this to her to no avail. As a result, Mango is angry with her most of the time and affectionate with me. I have taken over all of their care so it’s not surprising.
We live on a farm so I really don’t have a lot of time to spend with them. I put them both in an outside aviary in the summer so they see me frequently. But in the winter that is not possible. Im just worried that they won’t get enough interaction and “playtime” with me. My husband has no interest in them. And I just don’t have the patience or the desire quite frankly to spend the kind of time needed to keep them happy. I let them sit on my shoulder in the morning, offer them baths in the sink for a few minutes. I talk to them and whistle Mango’s favorite song occasionally. We have a back and forth “Mommy” and “Mango” throughout the day as well. But then I’m done. I feel so guilty! She and pineapple get along beautifully. My question is, is that enough? Am I doing them a disservice by keeping them? Can Caiques bond again at age 5? Am I being selfish, or foolish by keeping them? Or would they be better off with a true bird lover? I am really struggling with this.
We live on a farm so I really don’t have a lot of time to spend with them. I put them both in an outside aviary in the summer so they see me frequently. But in the winter that is not possible. Im just worried that they won’t get enough interaction and “playtime” with me. My husband has no interest in them. And I just don’t have the patience or the desire quite frankly to spend the kind of time needed to keep them happy. I let them sit on my shoulder in the morning, offer them baths in the sink for a few minutes. I talk to them and whistle Mango’s favorite song occasionally. We have a back and forth “Mommy” and “Mango” throughout the day as well. But then I’m done. I feel so guilty! She and pineapple get along beautifully. My question is, is that enough? Am I doing them a disservice by keeping them? Can Caiques bond again at age 5? Am I being selfish, or foolish by keeping them? Or would they be better off with a true bird lover? I am really struggling with this.
I love your set up you have for them. 
