Caique as first bird

Hello all, if you've seen my other posts you'll know that I've been preparing, reading, researching, and exposing myself to various parrot species. Originally I wanted to start with a budgie. Then i found myself looking at conures. However, in the last few months, I've been visiting this amazing bird at a Pet Land near me. He is a white bellied caique, and I'm absolutely in love. I have never met a bird quite like a caique. So playful, immediately trusting, and truly endearing. I thought I wanted a cuddly bird, but now I realize I want a trusting, loving bird. Unfortunately I could not take this sweetheart home with me, being that he was 3000$ and now has left the store. Obviously these birds are very high energy, busy birds. While this could get exhausting at times, I also see it as a good thing in that the bird would do quite well at entertaining himself. I've heard that caiques have a tendency to bite. My favorite method is the earthquake method, which I've had the opportunity to try with a feisty conure from the caiques I've met and handled, I found them to be quite beaky and perhaps a bit nippy but I wouldn't say they are biters. I am generally very calm, which I know is an important trait for caique owners to have. I'm prepared for a challenge and I know that caiques are not for "beginners." However, from all the bird species I have met and interacted with over the last few months, I simply cannot find a better suited bird for me than a caique. Please give me insight on your opinions about my decision

Go for it.

I love caiques!

Not an owner but I do have a funny caique story. We were at the local Parrot store. They sell mostly parrots. In one large cage they had a dozen or more caiques. And they were very cute and funny to watch. A customer wanted to handle one of them, so the store clerk opens the cage to take one out. The one that she grabbed gave her a nip and startled her. The other caiques in the cage used this opportunity to come boiling out of the cage. Kind of like a bum's rush for the cage door. So all of a sudden there are a dozen or more caiques climbing around, flapping around and running around. Very funny to watch not so funny to try and catch so many of these little clowns, all chattering away.

I think you should get the bird that you love.

I wouldnt do it. A pair of caiques is better.

That playful energy you love does not stop, and if its an only bird the full responsibility for its social life rests on you.

JP ( currently with 5 caiques)

I keep worrying about getting a caique. I've read some pretty horrid things about what they can be like... Attacking your face, frequently biting, stalking, being just completely out of control. I keep trying to convince myself not to get one because I know they can be this way, but it's not working!! Are they really so awful?


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My caique fits that description. He has stalked and shredded my hands out of nowhere on several occasions. I let my other family members handle him now because I just can't trust him. He's our Jekyll & Hyde bird when it comes to me, and it creeps me out.

greytness said:

My caique fits that description. He has stalked and shredded my hands out of nowhere on several occasions. I let my other family members handle him now because I just can't trust him. He's our Jekyll & Hyde bird when it comes to me, and it creeps me out.

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This is what I'm afraid of as much as I love the species, I just fear that I won't be able to handle it for my first bird. Do you think a female Senegal is a better alternative?


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I have bird experience but am currently raising my first ever as an owner, and it's a caique. I wouldn't recommend it. Mine is a lot of work, a stubborn child (I wasn't told how bratty they can be) and is very beaky. She screams a lot and is very frustrating. It wasn't worth the investment, although I am trying to work with her and makes ends meet. If I could go back in time, I would have gotten a cockatiel. Just my opinion!

glutes said:

greytness said:

My caique fits that description. He has stalked and shredded my hands out of nowhere on several occasions. I let my other family members handle him now because I just can't trust him. He's our Jekyll & Hyde bird when it comes to me, and it creeps me out.

Click to expand...

This is what I'm afraid of as much as I love the species, I just fear that I won't be able to handle it for my first bird. Do you think a female Senegal is a better alternative?

Click to expand...

I can tell you as a long time Poicephalus owner and lover, that Senegals (all Pois) are species who have the same tendencies toward somewhat unpredictable biting after they reach sexual maturity. That's not saying anything bad about them, it's just a fact that they're wired a bit differently from some other species, and it's not just something that can be trained out of all of them. I've seen, heard of, and experienced this temperament often in male Pois, but I've also heard enough times of mature female Senegals with as much attitude as the males. The have strong beaks that are oversized for their body. The Poicephalus family (Senegals) really vary a lot as individuals as far as energy level, playfulness, cudliness, etc. You never fully know what temperament they have until they hit puberty and the adult personality starts taking shape. They're really independent though.. not too prone to plucking or behavioral problems from needing to be alone for the day. They love their people but aren't needy by nature, and not too loud.

Are you still thinking of conures? Every time I go to the bird store I'm tempted by the Green Cheeks, and would actually consider one myself if I could have more birds now! I can definitely see why they're so popular.

It is good that you've done a lot of research and preparing to get a bird. Caiques I consider to be the clowns of birds. I love it when they hop around. They have tons of energy. They really seem to do well in a pair. I think a GCC would be a great alternative. Still have energy and are playful. You could even get a caique later on. And then another.

RavensGryf said:

glutes said:

greytness said:

My caique fits that description. He has stalked and shredded my hands out of nowhere on several occasions. I let my other family members handle him now because I just can't trust him. He's our Jekyll & Hyde bird when it comes to me, and it creeps me out.

Click to expand...

This is what I'm afraid of as much as I love the species, I just fear that I won't be able to handle it for my first bird. Do you think a female Senegal is a better alternative?

Click to expand...

I can tell you as a long time Poicephalus owner and lover, that Senegals (all Pois) are species who have the same tendencies toward somewhat unpredictable biting after they reach sexual maturity. That's not saying anything bad about them, it's just a fact that they're wired a bit differently from some other species, and it's not just something that can be trained out of all of them. I've seen, heard of, and experienced this temperament often in male Pois, but I've also heard enough times of mature female Senegals with as much attitude as the males. The have strong beaks that are oversized for their body. The Poicephalus family (Senegals) really vary a lot as individuals as far as energy level, playfulness, cudliness, etc. You never fully know what temperament they have until they hit puberty and the adult personality starts taking shape. They're really independent though.. not too prone to plucking or behavioral problems from needing to be alone for the day. They love their people but aren't needy by nature, and not too loud.

Are you still thinking of conures? Every time I go to the bird store I'm tempted by the Green Cheeks, and would actually consider one myself if I could have more birds now! I can definitely see why they're so popular.

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Biting I can handle. It's when they get so horribly aggressive to the point of being a scary animal. All birds have their problems, I just don't think I would manage a caique properly, especially since this will be my first bird. I like the green cheeks, but I think I like a bit more size. I feel like the conures are just a bit too small for me. I always feel like the conures are so fragile even though they're not really. At the same time, I don't want the bird to be so large it's intimidating. 9-12 inches with a stockier build is what feels comfortable .


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I see... just know that Pois are a genus that do have the tendency and reputation to be as tenacious as a Caique. I don't know if you've been here enough to see the term coined by Mark (birdman666) "Sennie-tude"? He says it for a reason, and it's true and can be applied to all the smaller Poi species (not sure about Capes). Some individuals are more laid back than others though, and you might have a little better chance at a stable personality after maturity if you have a well socialized female.

As far as the size range you are looking for, how about considering one of the larger conures? Sun, Jenday, Nanday, Blue Crown, Mitered, Red Masked, Patagonian, etc. From what I hear, the conures tend to be more predictable even after maturity when they are properly trained. Of course there is the noise factor though, and probably not as independent as Pois.

RavensGryf said:

I see... just know that Pois are a genus that do have the tendency and reputation to be as tenacious as a Caique. I don't know if you've been here enough to see the term coined by Mark (birdman666) "Sennie-tude"? He says it for a reason, and it's true and can be applied to all the smaller Poi species (not sure about Capes). Some individuals are more laid back than others though, and you might have a little better chance at a stable personality after maturity if you have a well socialized female.

As far as the size range you are looking for, how about considering one of the larger conures? Sun, Jenday, Nanday, Blue Crown, Mitered, Red Masked, Patagonian, etc. From what I hear, the conures tend to be more predictable even after maturity when they are properly trained. Of course there is the noise factor though, and probably not as independent as Pois.

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Hmmm.... I will go read about the larger conures....


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RavensGryf said:

I see... just know that Pois are a genus that do have the tendency and reputation to be as tenacious as a Caique. I don't know if you've been here enough to see the term coined by Mark (birdman666) "Sennie-tude"? He says it for a reason, and it's true and can be applied to all the smaller Poi species (not sure about Capes). Some individuals are more laid back than others though, and you might have a little better chance at a stable personality after maturity if you have a well socialized female.

As far as the size range you are looking for, how about considering one of the larger conures? Sun, Jenday, Nanday, Blue Crown, Mitered, Red Masked, Patagonian, etc. From what I hear, the conures tend to be more predictable even after maturity when they are properly trained. Of course there is the noise factor though, and probably not as independent as Pois.

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I love how honest and helpful you have been to me. The dusky conure sounds so perfect!! What do you think?


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Also check out one of the smaller Amazons: white fronts, Panamas, and yes even yellow shoulders. Not too loud, sturdy, do self play well, some talk well, even tempered. As a group they are 260 to 320 great in size.

glutes said:

I love how honest and helpful you have been to me. The dusky conure sounds so perfect!! What do you think?

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Aw, no problem . I think Dusky Conures are beautiful! Pics don't do them justice. The ones I've seen in person were such a beautiful bright shade of lime green. If I recall correctly, they're on the smaller side, maybe between the size of a GCC and Sun? Have you located a Dusky? If you have, I'd go check it out! Mark (birdman) hasn't been here for a while, but he had a Dusky and I think it was pretty talented.

wrench13 said:

Also check out one of the smaller Amazons: white fronts, Panamas, and yes even yellow shoulders. Not too loud, sturdy, do self play well, some talk well, even tempered. As a group they are 260 to 320 great in size.

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Wow an Amazon as a first bird?! I didn't even consider an Amazon because I figured they would simply be too demanding despite ho much I love them!


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wrench13 said:

Also check out one of the smaller Amazons: white fronts, Panamas, and yes even yellow shoulders. Not too loud, sturdy, do self play well, some talk well, even tempered. As a group they are 260 to 320 great in size.

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Good idea... and while you're at it, you can also consider their close relative the Pionus . There are several species available. About the size of the smallest Amazons. Raven is a character and is independent and quiet.

I have 2 duskies and they are so much fun! A little nippy at times, but nothing really bad. My duskies are clowns and quite a lot of fun!