New Member

Curious_Caique · Aug 20, 2014

Hello,
I am a new member here after recently acquiring my first bird, a black headed caique. (Note that this is not the first bird I've had experience with, simply the first that I have owned.

)
At the moment my baby is about 6 weeks old today, as I said I have quite a bit of bird experience. I worked with a breeder to learn how to handfeed (babysitting parrot chicks for various breeders as well) and then proceeded to purchase my first baby from her as well.
Anyway, the baby doesn't really have a name yet. So name suggestions are welcome!

Also, no confirmed gender (I'm considering DNA sexing, would anyone consider that to be important/worth it?) so unisex names might be best for now.

And a picture (trying to get some good photos everyday so I'll have enough for a photo book once s/he is grown up.):

Thanks everyone! I'm looking forward to exploring this forum as a member (been reading posts for awhile now.)
~Avery

weco · Aug 20, 2014

Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your new feathered friend.....

While I've never had to DNA a bird in order to name it, I have DNA'd several of those we didn't know the sex on. I've kind of thought that I had to name a chick, I might use a unisex name, one that would work for whatever the test might turn out.....

Allee · Aug 20, 2014

Welcome to the forums, Avery! Beautiful baby caique! Congratulations!

Curious_Caique · Aug 20, 2014

weco said:
While I've never had to DNA a bird in order to name it, I have DNA'd several of those we didn't know the sex on. I've kind of thought that I had to name a chick, I might use a unisex name, one that would work for whatever the test might turn out.....

I wasn't exactly saying I was considering a DNA test so I could name it, it's mostly curiosity. I've just heard some suggest it and some that say it doesn't matter at all and so I was wondering what people's opinions were. If that makes sense.

And thank you, Allee!

SilverSage · Aug 20, 2014

I highly suggest DNA sexing, but not until the bird is perching instead of sitting on a flat surface if you are going to use toe nails, and not until he is fully feathered if you are going to use feathers. Knowing the sex of your bird can save time in emergency situations, and when a bird is sick or hurt time is LIFE. Also, it can help to identify certain behaviors, and let you research more specifically tendencies in health and behavior of your bird. It costs about $25 through AvianBiotech, though there are other good companies out there, this is who I use for all my disease and DNA tests.

As for names I agree unisex could work, but also "male" names are easy to feminize, and in American culture we often think it fun to have girls names things like Andy, Billy, Tommy, etc. I ave known girls with all these names, and my own name is Dani, which is of course pronounced the same as the boy name, Danny.

Ducatimom · Aug 20, 2014

First off, welcome! And what a cute little baby!! Secondly, I do think sexing is important. Males and females personality can differ and at least if you know what the sex is you can prepare yourself for certain way s/he may act. As far as names, our female bearded dragon's name is Ed and our two dogs are named after male hockey players (they're both female). So I don't think I'll be too much help in that department lol.

Terry57 · Aug 20, 2014

Hello Avery and welcome! What an absolutely adorable baby

I agree with the others about having a DNA test done so you can be aware of what to look for in the different sexes. Do you already have any names in mind?

Curious_Caique · Aug 20, 2014

Thank you everyone for the welcome, and also for the answers on the DNA test.

Avianbiotech is where I was going to have it done. How hard is it to get the blood from a toenail? I've seen videos, but I can't quite tell how difficult it would be for someone who has never attempted it before.

For names I was kind of wanting something starting with a "c", I liked Charlotte (shortened to Char probably), Celeste was suggested by some friends, as was Camo (maybe Cameo? Cam?). Although I also like Alistar.

Terry57 · Aug 20, 2014

Charlotte would be an awesome name for either since it could easily be Char or Charlie. I also really like Alistar, which could become Ali

LeaKP · Aug 20, 2014

Aw a sweet little caique! &#55357;&#56476;&#55357;&#56476;&#55357;&#56476;&#55357;&#56476;&#55357;&#56476;

weco · Aug 20, 2014

Curious_Caique said:
I wasn't exactly saying I was considering a DNA test so I could name it, it's mostly curiosity. I've just heard some suggest it and some that say it doesn't matter at all and so I was wondering what people's opinions were. If that makes sense.

Sorry, wasn't really alluding to the need for a DNA conclusion for naming, but too many of us are concerned about political correctness anymore...back when I had my birds DNA'd, birds would often find their way to our house, looking for a new home & too many people (potential new homes) had preferences, so found it easier to just have the DNA tests done.....

henpecked · Aug 20, 2014

Welcome to the forum. We always need folks who can help new members with handfeeding their new baby. it's great you can raise your own baby, something i've done with a few birds.Sounds like this baby is yours regardless of gender. What's in a name?? I have many hens named Jake,Kong,Pedro, etc. They don't care. By the time they mature you'll have figured out their sex. It is a PIA explaining their names but so what. BTW i think he /she needs a clown's name, or maybe Cal/Cally, short for calico, cakes remind me of that.

SilverSage · Aug 21, 2014

It is easy enough to get the blood, you simply clip the nail the TINIEST bit too short. NOT MUCH!!

pollywogg · Aug 21, 2014

Re:new member

Wanted to see if I was able to add pictures of my fam. :orange:

Curious_Caique · Aug 21, 2014

Thank you to everyone else that has responded!

weco said:
Sorry, wasn't really alluding to the need for a DNA conclusion for naming, but too many of us are concerned about political correctness anymore...back when I had my birds DNA'd, birds would often find their way to our house, looking for a new home & too many people (potential new homes) had preferences, so found it easier to just have the DNA tests done.....

No need to apologize! I was not offended by anything you said, you were speaking from your experience and I appreciate that!

I would be happy to share my handfeeding experience with others, although I definitely do not claim to be an expert.

Calico is a cute name, and does shorten nicely to Cally/Cal. I'll have to add it to the list.

Pinkbirdy · Aug 21, 2014

Such a cute baby!!!! I have 3 blk headed caiques [ my favorite] my first bird was a caique named Greta

Taught me so much about birds [all around great little guys}Your so lucky

Curious_Caique · Aug 21, 2014

Pinkbirdy said:
Such a cute baby!!!! I have 3 blk headed caiques [ my favorite] my first bird was a caique named Greta Taught me so much about birds [all around great little guys}Your so lucky

I consider myself *very* lucky. (Who wouldn't if they got to live with this face?)

I got a very good price as well.

Did your caiques wear harnesses? I am planning on purchasing an aviator harness, x-small is recommended, is the sizing accurate?

henpecked · Aug 21, 2014

That is a cutie,no doubt.

Pinkbirdy · Aug 22, 2014

Mine do not wear harnesses [but my other birds do]. I would start putting it on soon after you get him [so he gets used to it. ]Your lucky with the price [very expensive here]. As for size [Im not sure ,google it].

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