bottom grate

Steph1521 · Dec 20, 2014

Ive had a BHC for about a year...im not sure how old he is but i know he has to be at least 3. Every once and a while i find him at the bottom of his cage...usually just preening, is this normal behavior? His poop is normal, eating normal, no behavioral issues. When i put the cover on the cage i hear him climb to his sleeping perch so i know hes not sleeping on the bottom...just find it strange that he sits there and preens...please tell me this is normal

RavensGryf · Dec 20, 2014

Although I don't know much about Caiques except the basics of the species, I know that whether a healthy bird goes to the bottom of the cage or not, has a lot to do with species. I do always see Caiques at the bird store rolling around playing on their backs. Some strictly arboreal parrots are always "up" in the trees, and it would be out of their natural comfort zone to come down where predators may be. On the other hand, some parrot species naturally spend a great deal of time on the ground.

I actually encouraged my Pionus to "use" the bottom area of his cage, since his old cage (as well as his new one) are deep vertically, and I didn't want everything just up top and all the rest of the space wasted, I put toys down low, and one thing he absolutely loves is his big toy box on the cage bottom full of foot toys! It's funny to see him going through the toy box and picking a toy, dropping it (or sometimes putting it back) and getting a different one, etc.

Steph1521 · Dec 20, 2014

Thanks for the post, my caique also has a deep cage...your idea to put toys at the bottom is a great idea but how do u handle the poop? I have a grate so most falls through but if i put something at the bottom he will for sure poop all over it. I find it difficult to get my caique interested in toys...he has a few in his cage but anything outside like little balls and such he is terrified of. Hes in his cage until we get home from work then he's out with us playing or watching us cook but hes more interested in us then toys. More human qualities then bird...

RavensGryf · Dec 20, 2014

I just place the toy box in the area where they're least likely to poop. Like not under their favorite perch lol! When I get home I spot clean the couple places where it's on the grate, and here and there through the evening. Some things will fall through the grate (depending on size of toy and bar spacing), but I just pick it up and clean it off if it fell into poopy area, but it's really not a problem.

RissaLynn · Dec 20, 2014

My caique is two and has a very deep cage,and he goes to the bottom too.He walks around and climbs and really he does it to play.I have the grate which is what he walks around on.As long as he is otherwise healthy,I dont see any issue

dskidd · Dec 21, 2014

It took me awhile to respond to this...I think I was thrown off by seeing the word "normal" in a paragraph about caiques. [emoji12] In this case, however, I don't think you have anything to worry about. I have two of them, and they both utilize every square inch of their cages.

Not to mention the house...

kq_fan · Dec 21, 2014

I think he is just fine!

My Lilo does that well used to because she used to have a small cage with no grate and she would do that. And caiques are just silly birds. I find it normal. Hope this helps!

Steph1521 · Dec 28, 2014

Hahaha!!! true...maybe I shoudn't have mentioned "normal" in the same paragraph as caique lol! Thank you very much for the responses! I feel like a crazy person that i'm so obsessed with weird things like that but only having him for a year I want to make sure that im not missing anything that could be important. I've had a cockatiel before him but having a caique is a completely new ballgame...I have this tiny two year old that will never grow up and feels like everything in my house belongs to him! oh! and recently had his wings clipped and now he feels that if I change rooms that I should be 1...bringing him with me to another room when I go or 2...come and get him if im gone too long. hes slowly learning that he can actually walk over to the next room without me being his servant carry girl lol

dskidd · Dec 29, 2014

Steph1521 said:
Hahaha!!! true...maybe I shoudn't have mentioned "normal" in the same paragraph as caique lol! Thank you very much for the responses! I feel like a crazy person that i'm so obsessed with weird things like that but only having him for a year I want to make sure that im not missing anything that could be important. I've had a cockatiel before him but having a caique is a completely new ballgame...I have this tiny two year old that will never grow up and feels like everything in my house belongs to him! oh! and recently had his wings clipped and now he feels that if I change rooms that I should be 1...bringing him with me to another room when I go or 2...come and get him if im gone too long. hes slowly learning that he can actually walk over to the next room without me being his servant carry girl lol

Apart from the obvious response (you HAVE to be crazy to have caiques!); I actually think it's a good thing to be obsessive about what seem like weird things. As you say, you don't want to miss anything that could be important. My take on bird "body language" (as well as their voices) is that they don't do anything unless they have a reason to do it. Sure, that reason may be nothing more than "Hey, I pushed it off the table because I know you'll put it back!" But I do definitely watch E&H like a hawk (gee...I guess I could have used a better simile, right?). It's a heck of a lot easier to deal with potential bad behaviors before those behaviors really take hold. However, it's not just behavioral things: being obsessive means that you'll be better equipped to spot any health issues early on, for example. Sounds to me like you're just being a great "parront!"

PS One little misconception I'd like to clear up: You ARE his servant carry girl! You're just gonna have to deal with it!

Steph1521 · Dec 29, 2014

Hey! E&H are too cute!!! How old are they??? Im not too sure how old Mr. Big isbut im assuming a little over 4

dskidd · Dec 30, 2014

Thanks! They are definitely too cute...believe me! [emoji4] Eliza was a rescue; she was estimated to be around two or three, so she'll be five or six next year. Henry was a New Year's Day baby, so he'll be two in just a couple of days.

Birdman666 · Dec 30, 2014

I don't have one, but the one I played with at the vets office not only was at the bottom of the cage, but he rolled over on his back and scooted from one end of the cage to the other...

They're just goofy that way.

I'm guessing perfectly normal.

dskidd · Dec 30, 2014

Birdman666 said:
They're just goofy that way.

Lots of websites and reference books have lists of various parrot species. They are often combined with (sometimes exhaustive) lists of the attributes of various parrot species (origins, characteristics, suitability as a companion bird), history, potential health issues, and so on.

I don't deny the accuracy, nor the usefulness, of such research. At the same time, I'm completely convinced that your quote is the only text that's needed following the word "Caique."

Birdman666 · Dec 30, 2014

Yeah. They have such a huge personality... I just love them!

Birdman666 · Dec 30, 2014

Steph1521;451502maybe I shoudn't have mentioned "normal" in the same paragraph as caique [/QUOTE said:
That also sums it up quite nicely...

Steph1521 · Jan 9, 2015

Thank you all for the input!! Greatly appreciated! Eases my mind a bit

Ejones899 · Jan 10, 2015

I think this is "normal"!

My Charlie does this, she has sand on the bottom of her cage and can often be seen rolling about or digging in the bottom of the cage! Crazy birds!

Emma

Steph1521 · Jan 18, 2015

Really!!! U put sand on the bottom of charlies cage?? I just put newspaper ...are there any health benefits to sand? And funny thing about my mr big hanging out on the bottom...i finally figured out the reason!! Hes been itchy!! Nothing serious just that its been cold out so the heating has been on a bit more than usual which is causing mr big to have a bit of dry skin...i sent my local avian vet a video and she said i should pick up some aloe spray

i went same day and while he was taking his bath i gave him a few nice sprays and bingo!!! Relief! I haven't seen him at the bottom of his cage since...turns out i never got to see what he was actually doing at the bottom but with the wonders of a smart phone i got to see him rubbing himself on the bottom...go figure! !

bottom grate

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The Nutcracker: The Caique Version

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