Just a caique question

Ira7

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My local Pet Supermarket has had one...all alone...for at least 6 months. I know Covid didn’t help.

But $2000? Doesn’t this seem irrational during these albeit irrational times?

My heart breaks for her. See photo below. I didn’t have the heart to photograph the bird and didn’t want to spook her, so I just shot the sign.
 
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noodles123

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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
My local Pet Supermarket has had one...all alone...for at least 6 months. I know Covid didn’t help.

But $2000?

My heart breaks for this bird. See photo below. I didn’t have the heart to photograph the bird and didn’t want to spook her, so I just the sign.

That dang grass hut breaks my heart more than the high price..
 
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Ira7

Ira7

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My local Pet Supermarket has had one...all alone...for at least 6 months. I know Covid didn’t help.

But $2000?

My heart breaks for this bird. See photo below. I didn’t have the heart to photograph the bird and didn’t want to spook her, so I just the sign.

That dang grass hut breaks my heart more than the high price..

I don’t know anything about caiques, but isn’t this treating an intelligent animal like an effin’ goldfish!?
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
My local Pet Supermarket has had one...all alone...for at least 6 months. I know Covid didn’t help.

But $2000?

My heart breaks for this bird. See photo below. I didn’t have the heart to photograph the bird and didn’t want to spook her, so I just the sign.

That dang grass hut breaks my heart more than the high price..

I don’t know anything about caiques, but isn’t this treating an intelligent animal like an effin’ goldfish!?


The price reflects that the bird was likely hand-fed and is intended to be a long-term commitment, but they need to find it a solid home soon because keeping it locked there without consistent interaction seems unfair...so yes, very gold-fish-esk (even though I also feel bad for them lol)
I doubt they changed that price from they time they got him/her.
I am also SHOCKED your pet store (apparently a a big-box/chain) has Caigues!
*some birds REALLY do enjoy the chaos of public spaces, but most still will struggle if left there for too long*
 
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dmmalpert

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That is a lot of money for a Black Headed Caique. I also would not recommend getting this species from a pet store as it is critical that they have good socialization skills or they can turn into nippy little monsters.
 

wrench13

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Caiques are very hard to resist. I hope this one finds a loving home soon!
 
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Ira7

Ira7

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Caiques are very hard to resist. I hope this one finds a loving home soon!

S/he seems mellow, but what a history.

Also, I don’t think the average PetSupermarket customer is going to pay two grand, or know how special the species is.
 
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Ira7

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That dang grass hut breaks my heart more than the high price..

I don’t know anything about caiques, but isn’t this treating an intelligent animal like an effin’ goldfish!?


The price reflects that the bird was likely hand-fed and is intended to be a long-term commitment, but they need to find it a solid home soon because keeping it locked there without consistent interaction seems unfair...so yes, very gold-fish-esk (even though I also feel bad for them lol)
I doubt they changed that price from they time they got him/her.
I am also SHOCKED your pet store (apparently a a big-box/chain) has Caigues!
*some birds REALLY do enjoy the chaos of public spaces, but most still will struggle if left there for too long*

This guy WANTS to come over to you, but is afraid to take that final step. It looks like in the right home situation, he would come around.

But it’s like there aren’t even any other birds next to him. He’s all alone in a huge cage, and I assume that any other exotics that come in will go in that same cage.
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I don’t know anything about caiques, but isn’t this treating an intelligent animal like an effin’ goldfish!?


The price reflects that the bird was likely hand-fed and is intended to be a long-term commitment, but they need to find it a solid home soon because keeping it locked there without consistent interaction seems unfair...so yes, very gold-fish-esk (even though I also feel bad for them lol)
I doubt they changed that price from they time they got him/her.
I am also SHOCKED your pet store (apparently a a big-box/chain) has Caigues!
*some birds REALLY do enjoy the chaos of public spaces, but most still will struggle if left there for too long*

This guy WANTS to come over to you, but is afraid to take that final step. It looks like in the right home situation, he would come around.

But it’s like there aren’t even any other birds next to him. He’s all alone in a huge cage, and I assume that any other exotics that come in will go in that same cage.

Would you consider him if he were half off? You could possibly wheedle them down..or heck, go straight to corporate and make an offer regarding the branch over the phone-- they might allow you to do it....You could argue your point by explaining that, the older he gets, the less desirable he becomes (now, that IS true for a lot of people---but maybe not for you (def not for me), but that's not the point lol!) The economy is shot, he is too expensive, he is getting older by the day and it is inhumane to him, plus his socialization window continues to narrow...Eventually, they will have a much older bird in a cage with issues because they kept the price too high for too long and the bird became cage-bound..

I am very confident, that with the right amount of patience and understanding, 99% of birds will "come around", it is just that 99% of people don't stick around long enough for that to happen. That having been said, ParrotForums people tend to be more invested lol-- so I do imagine you would be up for the challenge if it is something you are committed to doing.
 
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Ira7

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The price reflects that the bird was likely hand-fed and is intended to be a long-term commitment, but they need to find it a solid home soon because keeping it locked there without consistent interaction seems unfair...so yes, very gold-fish-esk (even though I also feel bad for them lol)
I doubt they changed that price from they time they got him/her.
I am also SHOCKED your pet store (apparently a a big-box/chain) has Caigues!
*some birds REALLY do enjoy the chaos of public spaces, but most still will struggle if left there for too long*

This guy WANTS to come over to you, but is afraid to take that final step. It looks like in the right home situation, he would come around.

But it’s like there aren’t even any other birds next to him. He’s all alone in a huge cage, and I assume that any other exotics that come in will go in that same cage.

Would you consider him if he were half off? You could possibly wheedle them down..or heck, go straight to corporate and make an offer regarding the branch over the phone-- they might allow you to do it....You could argue your point by explaining that, the older he gets, the less desirable he becomes (now, that IS true for a lot of people---but maybe not for you (def not for me), but that's not the point lol!) The economy is shot, he is too expensive, he is getting older by the day and it is inhumane to him, plus his socialization window continues to narrow...Eventually, they will have a much older bird in a cage with issues because they kept the price too high for too long and the bird became cage-bound..

I am very confident, that with the right amount of patience and understanding, 99% of birds will "come around", it is just that 99% of people don't stick around long enough for that to happen. That having been said, ParrotForums people tend to be more invested lol-- so I do imagine you would be up for the challenge if it is something you are committed to doing.

From a money standpoint, yes. But not from a common sense standpoint.

Archie is enough.
 
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Ira7

Ira7

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The price reflects that the bird was likely hand-fed and is intended to be a long-term commitment, but they need to find it a solid home soon because keeping it locked there without consistent interaction seems unfair...so yes, very gold-fish-esk (even though I also feel bad for them lol)
I doubt they changed that price from they time they got him/her.
I am also SHOCKED your pet store (apparently a a big-box/chain) has Caigues!
*some birds REALLY do enjoy the chaos of public spaces, but most still will struggle if left there for too long*

This guy WANTS to come over to you, but is afraid to take that final step. It looks like in the right home situation, he would come around.

But it’s like there aren’t even any other birds next to him. He’s all alone in a huge cage, and I assume that any other exotics that come in will go in that same cage.

Would you consider him if he were half off? You could possibly wheedle them down..or heck, go straight to corporate and make an offer regarding the branch over the phone-- they might allow you to do it....You could argue your point by explaining that, the older he gets, the less desirable he becomes (now, that IS true for a lot of people---but maybe not for you (def not for me), but that's not the point lol!) The economy is shot, he is too expensive, he is getting older by the day and it is inhumane to him, plus his socialization window continues to narrow...Eventually, they will have a much older bird in a cage with issues because they kept the price too high for too long and the bird became cage-bound..

I am very confident, that with the right amount of patience and understanding, 99% of birds will "come around", it is just that 99% of people don't stick around long enough for that to happen. That having been said, ParrotForums people tend to be more invested lol-- so I do imagine you would be up for the challenge if it is something you are committed to doing.
We have a wildlife rescue center in my town, beautiful grounds and facility.

I’m tempted to contact the founder (I kind of know her), and discuss acquiring the bird for the center.

I would certainly donate.
 
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noodles123

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The issue is, they would need to know parrots (as that is a lot different from a wild/native bird) BUT if they have a desire to learn, could be a great ambassador, assuming they treat it well and someone is able to take him/her home during the down-season.
 

noodles123

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so sad :( wonder how long they intend to keep hick locked up? Do the workers handle him in the evening I wonder
 
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Ira7

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so sad :( wonder how long they intend to keep hick locked up? Do the workers handle him in the evening I wonder

I just emailed the head of the local nature center. We’ll see:

——-

Hi, Robin. I know this isn’t your milieu, but I had to contact you anyway. My name is Ira Ratner (although my e-mail address is “rather”).

For around 6 months, maybe longer, Pet Supermarket on University just north of Royal Palm has had this little guy for sale. (See attachment.) He’s a Caique, and they’re asking the high sum of $2,000, reduced from $2,500 IF my memory serves me.

This is an incredibly intelligent species, and it’s KILLING me how this bird has been existing all alone in a big cage, without the human interaction and bonding it needs. It’s basically torture, also being fed TOTALLY improperly. (A bagged seed-only diet is a death sentence for parrots.)

If I was a rich man and owned a bigger house (I already own a young Amazon), I would scoop him up in a heartbeat. I’m therefore contacting you for “ideas.”

As head of the SGNC, could you contact the manager about this situation (you would have more clout than me), and ask them about either drastically reducing the price so this little fellow can finally find a proper home...which is a whole other story...or inquire about taking the bird as a mascot for the center? I would be happy to donate towards their “price,” volunteer for its care and provide food and supplies (I live right nearby), and present some ideas on using him/her for educational purposes.

I’m a 63-year-old retired fart, and although I’ve always loved all animals, I never considered myself a “bleeding heart.” However, seeing this guy all alone every week has been ripping that heart apart. They also have a cloth “cubby” in his cage, which is an imminently poisonous product for him. Anyone with any parrot experience knows this.

Please think about it. If you have any way forward, you can contact me at 954-xxxx-5092. A text would be fine to start with.

Take care, and stay well.
 

noodles123

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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I hope they do something!!! Maybe you could try contacting a vet or something...or a parrot rescue? The issue is the cost...It seriously is crappy of them to just leave him in there for months all alone...I mean, it's kind of critical that he get interaction now rather than later! Not that it is impossible to bond with a neglected bird, but the longer they wait, the less social and more neurotic he will get.
 
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Ira7

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I hope they do something!!! Maybe you could try contacting a vet or something...or a parrot rescue? The issue is the cost...It seriously is crappy of them to just leave him in there for months all alone...I mean, it's kind of critical that he get interaction now rather than later! Not that it is impossible to bond with a neglected bird, but the longer they wait, the less social and more neurotic he will get.

Oh...

It turns out the founder of the center, who I kind of knew, is no longer there.
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I hope they do something!!! Maybe you could try contacting a vet or something...or a parrot rescue? The issue is the cost...It seriously is crappy of them to just leave him in there for months all alone...I mean, it's kind of critical that he get interaction now rather than later! Not that it is impossible to bond with a neglected bird, but the longer they wait, the less social and more neurotic he will get.

Oh...

It turns out the founder of the center, who I kind of knew, is no longer there.


Have you tried talking to the people at the store?
 
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Ira7

Ira7

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I hope they do something!!! Maybe you could try contacting a vet or something...or a parrot rescue? The issue is the cost...It seriously is crappy of them to just leave him in there for months all alone...I mean, it's kind of critical that he get interaction now rather than later! Not that it is impossible to bond with a neglected bird, but the longer they wait, the less social and more neurotic he will get.

Oh...

It turns out the founder of the center, who I kind of knew, is no longer there.


Have you tried talking to the people at the store?
Don’t see the point.
 

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