BH caique or WB caique

[shawn]

i am in the market for a caique. i am torn between getting a BH or WB caique. at first i fell in love with the WB. but after looking at pics of caiques everyday. i am now liking the BH more. there is a pet shop that has a BH 5 months old caique for $700 (not sure if thats a good price). or ill have to wait till feb-march to get a WB in a bird show. as i cant find any WH available now. so i am torn between the 2.

so i was wondering which caiques do everyone prefer. and whats a reasonable price for one. thanks in advance and happy holiday's.

 

[thekarens]

The price seems reasonable and I think you should get one of each

 

[punkindave]

The price seems reasonable and I think you should get one of each

Agreed, the real fun starts with two!!

Yes, the $700 price is reasonable around us here in PA (not sure where you are) Caiques are harder to breed than the more common species and command a higher price than say Ringnecks or Conures.
Some say that the WB and BH have personality differences, but as someone who has four for these little nut jobs running around, I can tell you that the Black head (Ringo) is just as sweet and crazy as the three others. They each have unique personalities but they all are 100% Caique!!

As with any bird, visit them and get to know them and you'll be able to make a good choice.

 

[shawn]

their personality is the main reason why i like caiques. and i just think they are the cutest parrots. i like both WB and BH caiques. i just cant make up my mind which one to pick. i am in socal. i have held a BH caique and i love it. never seen a WB in person tho. and if i were to get 2. it will be the same ones. and hopefully a male and female.

 

[JadeC]

I love the white bellied!! I dunno why but I like the flesh colored beak.. I don't think there's much personality difference but the breeder I got my baby from breeds both and she says the WB are more cuddley and sweet. Her BH caiques aren't as close to her, I guess. It might just be hers, but I dunno. I say go with whatever bird you fall in love with!! Haha I got my WB for $795, so $700 is a good price. I probably wouldn't get a BH, but that's just my preference.

Either way, you'll love a caique personality!!!!! I'll be moving to Sacramento in a few weeks if you wanna come up and meet Meiko, my WB!

 

[JadeC]

Yes, the $700 price is reasonable around us here in PA (not sure where you are) Caiques are harder to breed than the more common species and command a higher price than say Ringnecks or Conures.

Honestly, caiques are really easy to breed, but they're just newer to the bird trade, so that's why they're more expensive. At least that's what I've read and my breeder told me. Lol

 

[ParkersMom]

I have a 6 month old BH and she is as cuddly as can be...I have only see a WB for a few minutes at a the bird show where I got Juno my BH and the WB was way more determined...if that makes any sense. I think the BH are more visually appealing

 

[ParkersMom]

I gave 550 for Juno at a bird show. But they go for anywhere from 800 to 1000 from what I have researched. The females being more expensive from what I have read.

 

[Wings]

I'd just say whatever you think looks better! i personally like the look of the BH caique, they look like they are wearing little white shirts! I mean, WB's do too, but the black had on the BH caique makes the white belly more defined, and simply more stunning in my opinion.

 

[Jowelbg]

As with any bird, visit them and get to know them and you'll be able to make a good choice.

I'd go play with your bird as much as possible. I haven't heard much about the differences in the breeds. I can tell you from experience that individual bird personalities vary quite a bit. You know you want to play with them anyway. :-D

 

[dskidd]

Well, the obvious answer is get 'em both!

But seriously, though...

At least in my experience, I haven't noticed any sort of personality differences that would be attributable to Eliza (BH) and Henry (WB) being different breeds. Eliza is as sweet and cuddly as could be. Henry is too, but not as much as Eliza is. They're both very playful, and want to get into everything. Henry does things that are more traditionally caique-like than Eliza does (hopping, hair-surfing), but there's no question Eliza's a caique through and through, too!

Thus, as others have already said, just spend time with the birds you're interested in (and if you have friends/family with caiques, spend time with them as well). As a friend once told me: You don't pick your bird. Your bird picks you. That may sound a little flip...but it's also been quite true in my experience.

When the time comes to make the choice, you'll know which one is right for you!

The very best of luck, and please keep us posted!
Derek

 

[shawn]

thanks for the feedback and opinions gang.

i love both type. but if i were to get 2. i would get both the same breed. it kinda bugs me having one of each. i tend to like keeping same breeds. guess ill have to wait till feb-march for a bird show and hopefully they will have lots of caiques for me to choose and play with. and hope one or 2 of them would pick me. i dont want to come back empty handed. even tho i want one like now asap

the black headed def makes the white bellied stand out more. but i love the light color beak of the white bellied. its going to be tough to make my decision. but like everyone said. ill let them pick me!

 

[dskidd]

the black headed def makes the white bellied stand out more. but i love the light color beak of the white bellied. its going to be tough to make my decision. but like everyone said. ill let them pick me!

wAit! TaKe uS pLeeZe! We R stuK in tHis aWfuL hOuse wHEre noBoDy lOves Us aNd R stooPid huMan neVeR feEds us whAt wE rEeLy wAnt aNd hE nEveR plAyz wiTh Us. GeT uS oUt oF thiS HELL!!! ElizA promiSes to pAinT hEr bEek LigHt iF U waNt! We wiLL paY foR the FedEX shIpPing too!

SAVE US!!!!! PLEEEEZE!!!! wE piCk yOu! we picK YoU! HONEST!

EliZa aNd HenRy

 

[ParkersMom]

E and H You can come live with Juno if you want...lol

 

[Jowelbg]

I fear the day B&B learn how to type and use the computer... at the least I fear the day I find out about it

 

[punkindave]

the black headed def makes the white bellied stand out more. but i love the light color beak of the white bellied. its going to be tough to make my decision. but like everyone said. ill let them pick me!

wAit! TaKe uS pLeeZe! We R stuK in tHis aWfuL hOuse wHEre noBoDy lOves Us aNd R stooPid huMan neVeR feEds us whAt wE rEeLy wAnt aNd hE nEveR plAyz wiTh Us. GeT uS oUt oF thiS HELL!!! ElizA promiSes to pAinT hEr bEek LigHt iF U waNt! We wiLL paY foR the FedEX shIpPing too!

SAVE US!!!!! PLEEEEZE!!!! wE piCk yOu! we picK YoU! HONEST!

EliZa aNd HenRy

Damn little ingrates!
Why can I picture them all packed up with little bird toys and a bottle of tequila jumping into a FedEx shipper after poking holes in it. Hysterical!!

 

[DanR]

Just to revive this discussion a bit, I have changed my reserve from a BH to a WB (they refer to them as Peach Head here for some reason) as I have had 1 breeder and 2 store folks that have years of experience with birds and own a couple dozen birds or more (and both people at the stores know that I was not there to buy from them, I made it clear I was going to a breeder) tell me that WB's have a better overall disposition and are a bit more "colleux" as they say in french, which is basically more affectionate. They pretty much all said the same thing, if I have a choice between a WB or a BH, get the WB.

I feel like this is a good decision as so far I have only seen/heard that either yes the WB is a bit better adjusted species or that there doesn't seem to be much difference as per this thread overall.

Can't wait to just get my new baby finally... all this waiting is giving me too much time for second guessing lol!

 

[Birdman666]

Honestly, I can't say there is a big personality difference between the two... only color variations.

A caique is a nutty feisty super smart into everything quirky bird.

 

[Nathan1]

Some believe that BHC are a little more hormonal and territorial than WBC. Male Caiques will sometimes force feed an unwilling female, apparently experienced caique breeders noticed this happens more often with BHC than WBC. So, male BHC are known to be more aggressive...Then again, some will disagree with this.

IMO you can't analyze a species that closely, all birds are different as individuals and those small traits are dependent on the individual, not the species. The personality between individuals of caiques(Or other birds) is just as diverse as humans, so don't judge a book by its cover.

This is just something I've read from multiple sources, I don't have first-hand experience. I've owned one caique which was a rescued male BH who unfortunately passed away a couple years ago. I like Caiques, and I'd like to someday get a pair of them regardless of whether or not they're WB or BH.

 

[Birdman666]

I've only played with them. Never rehabbed one. Owned by others.