Caique as first bird

[glutes]

There is always that risk there, regardless of species, after all... with a living creature with a unique individual personality, you might get an individual who may be more of a challenge than 'average', or decide they don't like like you once they mature, or a plethora of other unseen less than perfect situations that you'll have to deal with one way or another.

I didn't expect Griffin to be such a handful for the species, and develop his uncommon phobic disorder which took a year and a lot of work to get him even 'halfway' normal again... and I didn't expect that Raven's accident at his breeder's house would predispose him to expensive long term medical problems.. or the fact that it took him over 2 years to really like me. I mean, I'm "satisfied" with the birds because I so love them, but you could say I was definitely not happy, even disappointed with what happened. Just like with any higher animal or human, there might be unforeseen circumstances. So to answer your question of what if you're not satisfied? We love them so we do the very best that we can. Then sometimes rehoming becomes truly best. So we need to make the most responsible decision we possibly can to really try to avoid that.

Not to be too OT from your original question... but I wanted to throw this out there as food for thought. What if 'any' bird (of any species) turned out to be less than 'perfect' or had an individual personality that was not what you expected or turned out to be special needs? I won't sugar coat it, it's not easy and it can be disappointing. Even in situations like that, there can be a lot of joy to come from it as well! It took me a lot of years and a lot of maturity to be able to look from this angle at keeping companion animals. And wild exotic animals, no less!

I don't expect a bird to be without undesirable behaviors. However, it sounds like it goes past undesirable in regards to caiques.

I met a jenday conure today and he was super fun. I found I actually liked how vocal he was(though I'm not sure I would feel the same about screaming!) I'm seriously considering a blue crown now. I think I could actually be just as happy with one if not more than a caique. I love that they have the same "clownish" personality yet they seem easier to predict as well as easier to work with.


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[glutes]

I'm absolutely loving the blue crowns. I've been reading about these characters for two hours, and I think I may have found the bird for me!! These birds honestly sound so perfect. I feel confident in handling the common potential problems in these birds. Everything I've read says that these birds have great pet potential, and I agree completely.


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[RavensGryf]

I wasn't implying that you expect a perfect bird, that's not what I meant . Anyway I really think a conure of any type would be a great choice for you. The noise, if you happen to get a more vocal individual would be my only hesitation with the conures if it were me. The blue crowns are very pretty. I also love the Jendays and Nandays.

Is there somewhere you can go to see conures? A bird store perhaps? A breeder of Blue Crowns?

 

[glutes]

I wasn't implying that you expect a perfect bird, that's not what I meant . Anyway I really think a conure of any type would be a great choice for you. The noise, if you happen to get a more vocal individual would be my only hesitation with the conures if it were me. The blue crowns are very pretty. I also love the Jendays and Nandays.

Is there somewhere you can go to see conures? A bird store perhaps? A breeder of Blue Crowns?

Yes, the noise is really the only minor problem, but I think that noise is probably more manageable than a bird that's out for blood! I could care less if a bird doesn't stop chattering, whistling or talking all day long, in fact I find the chatter almost comforting, it's just the screeching that I'm not a fan of. I can go to petstores, as they often have sun conures, but I've never seen a blue crown in a petstore.however, there is 2-3 breeders in my area! I'm going to listen to recordings as well. The jenday I held today was quite funny. He really wanted to be on my shoulder, but I set a boundary. So in an attempt to get up there, he fluffed up his head feathers and then when I went to give him scratches he made a dash for my shoulder[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]these birds are so clever! He didn't manage to actually get up there until I put him on my shoulder myself. He wanted to preen my hair. So sweet!


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[snowflake311]

Sounds like you are ready for a bird. Don't worry about what kind it is just go with the next bird you feel a real connection with that is affordable. Just because one type of bird has traits you like does not mean all of them do. Birds really have personalities of there own.

When I was in 7th grade I did a bunch of research and talked my parents (who like birds) into getting a Senegal parrot because they looked like the perfect bird for us on paper. Well the one we got was NOT what I was expecting. She turned into a one person bird and she picked me. When we were looking for a Senegal we found a Jenday that ALL of us loved my dad loved it my little brother loved it. My mom said no we are going with the Senegal they are not as loud. In the end we should have gotten the Jenday. I loved Kiwi but she had issues.

SO what I am saying is birds will be birds. No 2 of the same kind are the same. If you get what I am saying.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I don't have helpful facts to add...just a compliment. I admire how much thought you are putting into this! No matter what you decide, I have a feeling you will make it work. Good luck.

 

[SaraBridge]

I'm so sorry to read the unfortunate experiences some of you have had with caiques. I have owned my WBC since she weaned at 10 weeks. She is now 6 yrs. old. and is such a joy! I call her my "puppy" because she loves to cuddle and play. However, she is no doubt a one person bird. If she is out of her cage when someone comes to visit, she will bite me out of fear (even if it's my sister and her children who visit 3-4 times a week!). It's okay because I have learned how to endure a bite until she is securely back in her cage She will also lash out if I handle a mop or vacuum - ha! It is all about knowing the bird and its temperament and how he/she might respond to different situations. Nine times out of ten, if you know your bird, you can remove threats and any negative behaviors that might stem from perceived threats. Then, you can fully enjoy one of the most intelligent and highly entertaining bird species.

 

[BruceTheQuail]

I've got a pair of black headed caiques. They are lovely birds and the little hen is very friendly with everyone, though the little boy will go for (bite) pretty much everyone except for me. They have a particularly high pitched screech which is their main call during the day. One of those screeches that sets your teeth on edge. That would be the biggest drawback.

 

[Irishj9]

I currently have 7 caiques. Average age 5 years

Ive been bitten ONCE. YES ONCE. I grabbed a hen in the dark at night.

Caiques have a very strong body language. They signal every mood in ADVANCE. It is we humans, with our big ape brains, who have to learn that language to avoid bites

JP