Baby turned monster?

JadeC · Aug 14, 2013

So, I went a bird shop today with Meiko and the owner, who owns a lot of birds, told me that caiques have a reputation for turning on their owners after puberty? Is this true? I've never, ever read anything like that online or in books. Does anybody have an olde caique that they've had since a baby?

MonicaMc · Aug 15, 2013

I've actually heard that a lot in regards to caiques, but I have no one on one experience caring for them.... I've only handled them on a few occasions.

I do wonder if their aggression stems from boredom. They are *very* active birds and if their minds and bodies are not kept constantly busy, do they become aggressive out of boredom? I really don't know! But just something I've always pondered.

antoinette · Aug 15, 2013

I have heard exactly the same thing being said about African Greys that they turn against their guardian after puberty.
Some Grey's then began to pluck.

During "puberty" extra love and attention should be given. Perhaps add in a few extra toys in the cage to keep the bird occupied.

I make sure Mishka is constantly kept occupied and his mind stimulated each and every day.

He is almost 6 years old and our trust and bonding is still growing daily.

Pinkbirdy · Aug 15, 2013

My Caiques are older [and have had both since a baby]. I believe it was when they were reaching sexual maturity [was when they were being impossible.] It seemed it was for a time period .Now their back to how they were and their relationship has grown with me [they love me to death ,each of them] No ones turned on me .Nor has any of my birds [and check out all my 12 birds] .I have had birds a long time and have seen many stages. I don't think my Caiques were bored. What one of the things I like most is how hard and well they love to play .

Pajarita · Aug 15, 2013

Some parrots leave their parents only when they are sexually mature and, some pet ones resent the fact that they can't go looking for a mate -thus the famous 'terrible twos' of the CAGs and the Caiques reputations for turning on their owners. I would assume (I've never had any babies, my birds are all adopted/rescued/rehomed) that if you have more than one bird, it would be much easier.

MonicaMc · Aug 15, 2013

Pinkbirdy said:
My Caiques are older [and have had both since a baby]. I believe it was when they were reaching sexual maturity [was when they were being impossible.] It seemed it was for a time period .Now their back to how they were and their relationship has grown with me [they love me to death ,each of them] No ones turned on me .Nor has any of my birds [and check out all my 12 birds] .I have had birds a long time and have seen many stages. I don't think my Caiques were bored. What one of the things I like most is how hard and well they love to play .

That sounds like normal "growing up" behavior, not birds who suddenly "turned vicious" and couldn't be handled, unless I'm reading it wrong?

I'm just thinking in terms of birds who are not provided enough enrichment and don't have a good way to release all their pent up energy (you have to remember, parrots fly for miles out in the wild! Parrots kept as pets do not get nearly the same amount of exercise!) so they end up becoming "mean" because they are frustrated and/or bored with not enough to do.

Caiques, being very high energy birds, should be kept busy constantly! Like labs! Keep them busy and they are less likely to cause trouble than an animal that's bored and looking for something to do!

Although, two caiques can easily keep each other entertained for hours! Heck, I'd be entertained just watching two caiques entertaining each other!

JadeC · Aug 15, 2013

Hah thanks everyone. My Quaker didn't turn on me and I've heard that about them too. I was just worried because I've never read this at all!!! Maybe if he does start resenting me, I can try to find him an older caique.

Use it as an excuse to get another one!

Jowelbg · Aug 16, 2013

I think this is another case of, "it depends on the individual bird." I've heard so many wide ranging stories on the web about Caique puberty. This was a huge area of concern when we were considering our little devils. I've only read one story that I truly considered a case of "the bird turning against it's owner." In other words, I think (hope) it's rare.

MonicaMc · Aug 16, 2013

JadeC, I hear caiques are like potato chips.... you can't have just one!

jowelbg, I hope so, too! Seeing a video of a caique hopping around while simulaniously saying "hop! hop! hop! hop!" is just too darn cute! And then there's caique wrestling and surfing!!!! How can you not get enough of that???

Pajarita · Aug 16, 2013

JadeC said:
Hah thanks everyone. My Quaker didn't turn on me and I've heard that about them too. I was just worried because I've never read this at all!!! Maybe if he does start resenting me, I can try to find him an older caique. Use it as an excuse to get another one!

It wouldn't happen if you have a female quaker because they stay with their families their entire lives. It's the males that go looking for a mate and, when they find it, joins their flock.

JadeC · Aug 16, 2013

My Quaker was a male. Haha Maybe he was just weird.

My caique is a male too... And I already want another caique!! He is super cute!!

dskidd · Aug 17, 2013

<<And I already want another caique!! He is super cute!!>>

Jowelbg · Aug 17, 2013

MonicaMc said:
...
I'm just thinking in terms of birds who are not provided enough enrichment and don't have a good way to release all their pent up energy (you have to remember, parrots fly for miles out in the wild! Parrots kept as pets do not get nearly the same amount of exercise!) so they end up becoming "mean" because they are frustrated and/or bored with not enough to do.
...

I'm just not sure you're in touch with fids these days. All they want to do is play on their iPads. They never want to go outside and play!

[ame=http://youtu.be/9-wbjs7GR4M]Caique Video Game - YouTube[/ame]

dskidd · Aug 17, 2013

Jowelbg said:
I'm just not sure you're in touch with fids these days. All they want to do is play on their iPads. They never want to go outside and play!

LOLOLOL!!! So how many levels have they completed in Angry Birds? They must know all the secret tricks!

Jowelbg · Aug 17, 2013

dskidd said:
<<And I already want another caique!! He is super cute!!>>

Are you going for a record breaking 8?

MikeyTN · Aug 17, 2013

I had birds when they were babies and when they reach their maturity is when they become devils. That's pretty much with most species. I've gotten bit countless times during hormone season. But after it passes they calm down once again. Malachai I've had him since he was just 2 months old and once he reach his maturity he flew at us to attack! When Willie reach his 10th hatch day when he went through his major hormone he attacked me badly and I've had him since he was one and a half to 2. So its not all about pent up energy. They're basically frustrated but usually the second time is easier but sometime its not depending on individual bird. When Willie hit his hormone period I can not hold him at all unless I want to get bit. And he bites hard!!!!

dskidd · Aug 17, 2013

Jowelbg said:
I'm just not sure you're in touch with fids these days. All they want to do is play on their iPads. They never want to go outside and play!

On watching this video a few more times, I have to give Bunsen and Beaker a lot of credit. They're far more with it in a technological sense than my birds. When Eliza and Henry find my iPad, their attitude seems to be "So, Apple says you can't open one of these things up because there aren't any user serviceable parts inside, huh? We'll see about that!"

dskidd · Aug 17, 2013

MikeyTN said:
I had birds when they were babies and when they reach their maturity is when they become devils. That's pretty much with most species. I've gotten bit countless times during hormone season. But after it passes they calm down once again. Malachai I've had him since he was just 2 months old and once he reach his maturity he flew at us to attack! When Willie reach his 10th hatch day when he went through his major hormone he attacked me badly and I've had him since he was one and a half to 2. So its not all about pent up energy. They're basically frustrated but usually the second time is easier but sometime its not depending on individual bird. When Willie hit his hormone period I can not hold him at all unless I want to get bit. And he bites hard!!!!

The frustration part definitely makes sense. I'll keep your post in mind when Henry hits the maturity stage in a few years. With Eliza, she wasn't all that different towards me, but she was far more aggressive towards other people. She was pretty much confined to her cage whenever I had friends/family over...she was just a bit too dangerous.

JadeC · Aug 17, 2013

Jowelbg said:
dskidd said:

<<And I already want another caique!! He is super cute!!>>

Click to expand...

Are you going for a record breaking 8?

Uh, yes!!!! Haha I also have a video of Meiko using my iPad mini playing that game! Hahaha he loves watching videos of himself and other birds via my phone or iPad

Pinkbirdy · Aug 18, 2013

dskidd said:
Jowelbg said:

I'm just not sure you're in touch with fids these days. All they want to do is play on their iPads. They never want to go outside and play!

Click to expand...

On watching this video a few more times, I have to give Bunsen and Beaker a lot of credit. They're far more with it in a technological sense than my birds. When Eliza and Henry find my iPad, their attitude seems to be "So, Apple says you can't open one of these things up because there aren't any user serviceable parts inside, huh? We'll see about that!"

That's exactly what I thought [watching that ]

Baby turned monster?

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Early Bird Development

Meiko's first vet visit :)

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