Eclectus V.S. Caique V.S. Green Cheek Conure?

[Tswift]

Thank you EvieWg, I will update you on the bird expo on Sunday!

 

[Tswift]

Well, I went to the bird expo and honestly I was kind of disappointed. All they had were small, popular bird breeds like lovebirds and finches. My bird store had way more of a selection.

Luckily, though, there was a caique breeder there selling caiques for 500. Unfortunately, while i was asking questions, he did not even bother to stop looking at his cell phone while briefly answering them. The male was a huge bitter, but could be handled. The female would go into attack mode if you even reached in her cage.

Additionally, the green cheek breeder was there, but her birds were not nearly as tame as the bird stores.

After my visit... I think I realized you get what you pay for. I have a big feeling I will be getting my bird from the bird store in St. Louis... the local breeders here seem to care about the money more than the birds themselves.

 

[EvieWg]

Tswift: Sorry to hear that Hey, I'm not sure what state you are in, but I have a guy here who has the BEST birds. His website is:

Birds Unlimited - Webster, NY

His name is Paul Lewis - you can call him and ask him about the conures he has. I know he just got in a few conures and caiques that are just soooo sweet. He hand feeds all his babies and they all have the best temperaments. They all love people too. Plus, maybe he can help you narrow down what kind of bird you want. You can also ask him about shipping (from Rochester, NY).

I got my Dusky Pionus from him and I swear, he is the most socialized bird, ever! All the birds in his store will step for you and don't bite/are aggressive.

 

[Tswift]

Oh wow! Thank you so much! I will definitely get in touch with him. I live in Missouri, so I dont know if the shipping would be a problem or not.

 

[EvieWg]

He does ship, he's sold birds all over the country (and the world... singapore, canada, etc.), but yeah, you will be soooo happy with a baby from him. They're just so well-adjusted and healthy, plus, he does have ones that have already started talking to (not sure if that's something desirable).

Tell him Evie sent you (I'm there all the time, hanging out, lol!)

 

[Tswift]

I have already emailed him. I'm sure it will take a while for him to email back, he sounds like a busy guy!

If I do go along with this in May, I am a little hesitant because I would not know if I would bond with the bird or not. It sounds to me like all of his birds would bond well, though. And I'm not sure if I will be able to afford his birds with the shipping cost.... we will see!

Also, talking isnt something I am requiring out of a bird, but that would be awesome!

 

[Sherrie]

Hi all! So glad I stumbled on this site! I have the best green cheek conure in the world and I think he wants a buddy. At first I was set on a quaker, but some of the mini-macaws on petfinder have really adorable descriptions and I'm kind of torn now. Since he's so small, would a Hahn's macaw be too big and dangerous to be my conure's pal? They would not live in the same cage but hopefully would hang out when they're out supervised. I would be introducing an adult bird from a rescue, not a baby, and I know that may take a while.

Tswift, My green cheek is great- playful, snuggly, silly, and demanding. Plus his bite doesn't hurt that bad! Also so far he has been a great ambassabird with family friends and he has become very beautiful after his first moult. I think they're a great species to learn the ways of the parrot with!

 

[Tswift]

Well I know its been a while, but I've been so busy!! Oh, and I have good news!!!

First, I got a cage and perch for $150 from a veterinarian on Craigslist!! I didn't think much about it until I picked it up! It is a Santa Monica California Cage and a HUGE perch along with two travel cages, tons of toys, perches, bowls, and everything else I need for my future bird! I could not believe it! I think I got a pretty good deal! Everything is in great condition.
Here is a link to the cage: Santa Monica California Cage - Presented by BirdsComfort.com

Im pretty sure that since the bar spacing is 3/4, it will not be able to house a green cheek conure... thoughts? Regardless, I'm pretty focused on getting a caique at the moment, but that can change! The eclectus at the bird store now is awfully sweet!

I spent the entire weekend cleaning everything. I rubbed the entire cage and perch with bleach, dumped the toys in bleach, then rinsed them out. The bleach was 1/4 cup bleach with a gallon of water. It was slightly messy, but everything is shiny and looks brand new!

I have also been spending hours making my own toys... with my toys and the new toys put together I must have over 40+ different toys!!! No joke! I think I just need the bird and food now! haha

Pictures are attached of the cage, perch, and the toys I got. What do you guys think?

 

[Tswift]

Just went to the bird store today and saw three little white bellied caiques and an eclectus. The bird stores owner informed me that I could put a down payment on either one since they were all unweaned and I could pick then up 2~4 weeks from now. I couldnt tell you how excited I was! I will be home from college in 2 weeks, so I decided I would do it. That was the easy part! I had to then pick which bird I wanted! I handled the eclectus and the caiques and the eclectus seemed smart, but too mellow and had higher dietary reqirements. Plus, I fell in love with one of the caiques. A unique wing clipping and $180 later, it was my bird I think im going to name him/her skittles.... Not sure yet!

Just thought you guys maybe wanted to know which breed I went with.... And I hope this helps future birdie buyers decide too!

If you want to follow along with my adventure of actually getting my caique, I am going to post a thread in the caique forums.

 

[Lambert]

Congratulations! I'm happy for you. Not that it matters anymore, since you got your bird already, I own a GCC and its a sweetheart. I taught it how to step up in one day. I taught it how to hang upside down in two days, and I taught it how eat on its own in one day too. Now I am teaching it to play dead and today we made some progress as Echo did not try to nip me when I put it on its back, as a matter of fact I used food to keep him on his back and it did stay on its back. Anyways, show us some pictures!

 

[hlrey4]

Congratulations Tswift! I found this thread doing a google search of "Caique vs GCC" - I am right where you were at. Very helpful input from all, thank you. I am looking to add a 2nd bird and every time I think I have it figured out - I start leaning toward a different breed LOL.

Right now, I am between the Caique and GCC. Nothing is ruled out and I am still interested in a Hahns Macaws as well. So many choices.

I appreciate you posting your search and the updates, I had to read it to the end to see what you got. I have similar traits I am looking for - adaptable, friendly, playful, and being flexible with several people. And I am torn between our local store and breeders.

Glad I found this forum - it is hard researching breeds from description pages, the personal stories help quite a bit.

 

[Rio Mom]

Tswift, you mentioned a unique wing clip? What was different about it?

 

[Tswift]

Im glad that this thread is bringing help to others! The decision wasn't an easy one lol.

And in order to indentify which caique is mine, they clipped a single, smaller feather on the right side 3 feathers down. Skittles didnt mind it at all and can still glide down very well.

 

[Abzeez]

Places like Petco, PetSmart, and Petland are places to avoid buying a parrot from. An Exotic Parrot store is totally different.

I didn't have good look with GCC. I never owned one, but I had a friend who did. I swear that little bird stalked me, and also gave me the stink eye everytime I walked into the room. He wanted to hurt me. With that said, that was only one, and the only one I have ever been around.

I too had a Nanday Conure many moons ago. She was a LOVE. Cuddled, played, and would groom my eyebrows. She was awesome, but when I left the house she would scream, sometimes until I came home. Lovely parrot though.

Best of luck in your search.

 

[Tswift]

Ive created a thread in the caqiue section so I can continue ranting about my new caique The new thread is here:

http://www.parrotforums.com/caiques/9872-just-got-caique.html