Say Hello to Rex! - Warming up to new house

Well we did it! Everyone please welcome Rex! He's a 5mo caique and I'm thrilled to have him in the house. He's a quiet boy, talking with occasional, low pitched "hahas". He's a climber of course but has only stuck around his stick perch/food bowl/water bowl.

Our first night was good and he's slowly warming up to his new house. I placed some fresh fruit and carrots in a separate bowl this morning, and I hope that entices him to explore. He is substantially less afraid of me approaching the cage after a night, so here's hoping his next water and food change goes as well. I also have his UVB lamp going for about four hours till the sunlight peaks. I'd like to be able to offer him a bite of apple from the side of the cage but understand that we're not quite there yet. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable?

Welcome Rex!!!!! May you have a long , happy , healthy life, full of love!!!!

Hi Rex! Sounds like he's adjusting great, I'm sure he will be happy in his new home in no time.

A sweetheart honeymoon!

He's a handssome guy. Take your cue from the parrot, and advance when he is ready. Dont try to force a relationship if he is not ready. Figure out what his favorite yummy treat is and use that as a toolto foster bonding. Offer it every time you pass the cage an some soft spoken words, so he relates you to yummy good things. Caaiques are a hoot-n-half,natural goofy clowns.

welcome Rex, you are in for some fun with a caique. they love their bath time.
like everyone says, take your time and talk to him with offers of grapes, this is my caique favourite treat. has the little bird come from an avairy or was he hand reared.

Four day update! It's been an interesting few days, that's for sure. We've made a lot of progress and learned a lot as well.

Today's crowning accomplishment was him taking a piece of millet from between my fingers while my hand was in the cage! He also tried to take a bath as well. Less successful, but I'm glad he's trying. We've been practicing with eating millet between the bars for a day or so. He doesn't seem to have much interest in grapes or carrots, which seems a little odd.



I have also gotten to hear a few screaming fits and I'm 99% sure I've interpreted them correctly. 1. Screamed several times in the morning until I refilled his food. 2. Got himself worked up and mad at a toy, after screaming and a poop or two he calmed down. 3. Clothes washer. Hates it.


While he will take food from me in his cage, he's fast and darty about it. I'd like to do this for a few more days until he becomes less fearful that I might do something to him. Does anyone have any good trust building exercises? I don't mind sitting by him and chatting. I think it's working out just fine.

I'm always posting this link because I really like it.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/
You can also go to the general parrot info forum and read the blue sticky threads at the top. There is one with tips on bonding. But I don't like clickeres, I just say good birdie as the bridge.
Us there any reason not to let him out of the cage? Parrots behave much differently out of the cage. If he was hand fed he might really like to be out with you. I only leave my new birds in the cage long enough to settle, like an hour or two then I get them out and get to know them. Of course all parrots and situation are different...
If he doesn't step up you can just let him come out on his own, have a perch on the outside of the cage right by the door, or on the inside attached to the door so when it is swings open he is out. Many are more willing to step up then

Laurasea said:

Us there any reason not to let him out of the cage? Parrots behave much differently out of the cage. If he was hand fed he might really like to be out with you. I only leave my new birds in the cage long enough to settle, like an hour or two then I get them out and get to know them. Of course all parrots and situation are different...
If he doesn't step up you can just let him come out on his own, have a perch on the outside of the cage right by the door, or on the inside attached to the door so when it is swings open he is out. Many are more willing to step up then

Click to expand...

Yes and no, I suppose. This guy has an interesting story. I had been searching online and thought I’d go to petco to look at how big the birds actually were. I fell in love and I felt so bad that something this beautiful and smart was there. I know I bought him but I like to think of more of a rescue because his new cage is about 2.5x bigger than his old one and did not do a lot of work with the manager there. I’d love nothing more than to let him out and let him be himself. I’m more concerned about getting him back in.

I understand. If you have the house set up for safety and you are both calm, I thi k he would just climb out and explore..set up the top if the cage with rope perches and theose food dishes you can clamp on. He been with a few days so he knows his cage is us home ...if all giescalmly you pla e his favorite treat like the millet in the cage and step back hopefully he would just go back in. You want to try when you aren't rushed and you have the time to wait a d coax him back. If he gets loose wait till he settles, see if he will step up, many will, or use a hand held perch and let him step to that. Or if he gets in a pickle you can place a towel over him and scoop him up and take back to the cage.
Anyway I hope you read through the article, it's just got some good basics. And the Tips on Bonding page. You'll get there.