I'm adopting a two year old Caique as a first bird. Tips appreciated.

[Ivara1]

Hello!

I'm adopting a two year old Caique in a few days, and I can't wait! I'm allergic to dogs and cats, so I had to get rid of my dog a few years back. I've done a lot of research into parrots, and the Caique.

The Caique I'm getting is White-Bellied. It is tame against its current owners, but I don't know how me and him will bond.

What would be the first, and most essential step in bonding with the little guy? I know it can be a long process.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Ok with Caiques ,they like to play, play ,play .Their cage should be large and wide. They like swings, boings , lots of toys and foot toys .Their hearty eaters so don't just feed them pellets [be creative chop , birdy bread etc]. To get a bird to bond with you. I did this with my Caiquie Caboose who is 3 and came from Texas . Drag the cage near were your going to be . Doesn't matter if it doesn't look right. He will be able to observe you and you can become friends through the bars . wWth Caiques the best way to let them out is let them be on a play gym first or on top of their cage. They need to blow off some steam . Then go and see if they want to interact with you . If their impossible put them back. I put toys on the back of my couch and they hop up and down it. Be careful with these guys if they get something they cant have like a pen or earring . They do this war cry and you will have a hard time getting it back [might get bit]. There beaks seem to grow fast so you will need to have a vet trim that. Mine are very light sensitive . Want to get up with the sun and be left alone at dark . I would not trust them with other species [can hurt them]. Have your whole family interact with them . But don't get them to excited they will bite. Set a realistic schedule you and your family can keep up with [the time out of his cage and with you . Have to do this daily to keep them hand tame and happy . Rehomes take awhile to adjust . May be great and first ,then see his true self . That's were you set his routine and be patient as he adjusts, Good luck

 

[Ivara1]

Ok with Caiques ,they like to play, play ,play .Their cage should be large and wide. They like swings, boings , lots of toys and foot toys .Their hearty eaters so don't just feed them pellets [be creative chop , birdy bread etc]. To get a bird to bond with you. I did this with my Caiquie Caboose who is 3 and came from Texas . Drag the cage near were your going to be . Doesn't matter if it doesn't look right. He will be able to observe you and you can become friends through the bars . wWth Caiques the best way to let them out is let them be on a play gym first or on top of their cage. They need to blow off some steam . Then go and see if they want to interact with you . If their impossible put them back. I put toys on the back of my couch and they hop up and down it. Be careful with these guys if they get something they cant have like a pen or earring . They do this war cry and you will have a hard time getting it back [might get bit]. There beaks seem to grow fast so you will need to have a vet trim that. Mine are very light sensitive . Want to get up with the sun and be left alone at dark . I would not trust them with other species [can hurt them]. Have your whole family interact with them . But don't get them to excited they will bite. Set a realistic schedule you and your family can keep up with [the time out of his cage and with you . Have to do this daily to keep them hand tame and happy . Rehomes take awhile to adjust . May be great and first ,then see his true self . That's were you set his routine and be patient as he adjusts, Good luck

Thank you for a great reply!

Is it any harder bonding with a 2 year old, then one that just came from the breeder (under a year old)? Also, I will have to drive 5-6 hours to pick him up, and drive the same distance back. Which size of a cage should I buy for him to travel in while we're driving?

 

[Pinkbirdy]

They will bond no matter what the age [it can be a time thing though]. I use like a cat carrier [that's big enough] to transport.

 

[Ivara1]

Wont he need something to sit on, if I was to use a Cat Cage? Also, how would I solve water for him? A bowl? I'm kinda stressed out on the transport, haha.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Some people install a wide stick across for a perch . Or if hes sitting on newspaper he will be fine. Keep juicy fruits in there like oranges and grapes. Take your water bottle and fill a dish at stops to offer him . Don't worry if he doesn't drink [might be scared].

 

[Ivara1]

I thought that the trip would be kind of bumpy for the little guy, but if newspaper work, I'll use that. Should I let him stay inside his cage te whole trip, or should I try to interact with him? Or do I wait with this untill we arrive at home?

 

[Pinkbirdy]

You could hold the carrier on your lap and visit through the door. I wouldn't open that until you get him home . Try to keep him off your shoulder. If he gets up there and doesn't want to get off. Stand up and start walking to a different room. This will throw him off balance a little. Offer your finger to have him step up on. Don't make them do something they don't want to.

 

[Flboy]

102% as said! For sure, do not, do not let the poor little guy out in the car!! He is very confused and terrified! Work with him slowly. Those fids are clowns and they need a lot of interaction! Beautiful choice!!
FYI, they tend to become jealous easily.

 

[Kiwibird]

On the subject of transport (not discrediting anything pinkybird said, she is a VERY experienced bird owner) but personally I've noticed my bird prefers a small cage for longer car rides. He likes to hold on to the perch with one foot and the bars with the other when taking turns, switching lanes ect... to stabilize himself. For a caique-sized bird one of those small budgie cages with a single perch (species appropriate size) would be another suitable option as a travel/emergency cage. His bird backpack has mesh sides, and he is not as stable around turns and stuff as his travel cage and I would imagine a carrier may pose a similar issue for some birds. We can't do a cat carrier with our bird at all because of his past negative experiences living in one.

 

[Doublete]

I have a small budgie type cage for my conure. It's light and easily moved.

My amazon has a cat carrier. She will not go in the small cage and has to be tricked into the carrier.

 

[Ivara1]

Okey, I'll buy a small budgie cage with a perch for him to travel in.

I somewhere read that the first thing you should do was to sit with him with the cage door open, and try to get him to feel safe outside of his cage too (at home)?

 

[Doublete]

There are many threads about building trust and bonding on here. Try a search.

 

[Irishj9]

Great information here, especially from Pinkbirdie!

My caiques ( 11) get sick on car rides to the vet. They actually vomit. So I keep them in a completely covered travel box on the 10k journey.

All caiques are highly susceptible to bribes. Make friends with food. Find out what he likes the best. Withhold it, and pass by hand through the bars. Mine love walnut pieces, bits of bran or apple muffins, etc

hehe

 

[dskidd]

Is it any harder bonding with a 2 year old, then one that just came from the breeder (under a year old)?

I really can't add anything here--there's lots of great advice already. It's pretty much a matter of patience and bribes!

Eliza was a rescue when I got her (estimated to be around three years old); Henry was around six months. There weren't any bonding issues in either case. (In other words, they quickly took over the house, not to mention my heart!)

Wishing you all the very best!

Derek

 

[Ivara1]

This is the little guy I'm adopting.

http://i.imgur.com/iJ3HDBk.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mkdrKmd.jpg

Does his beak look a little too long? Otherwise, does he look healthy?

 

[Pinkbirdy]

So cute !!! Whats his name ? Looks healthy to me

 

[Ivara1]

His name is Ludo. I'm thinking about renaming him though. There are no sings of feather plucking either. The owners said that he has never had any health problems, and that he eats a lot.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Why are they rehoming him?

 

[Ivara1]

Their fourth kid is on the way. They said that they wouldn't have the sufficient time to care for him anymore. I'm buying him for $800 with a big cage, and a big playing perch filled with toys. It seems like a fair price.