Does anybody here have a MATURE caique?

[aether-drifter]

I have no interest whatsoever in caiques (yes, they're adorable, but not the bird for me), but I'm curious about something.

I rarely see anything negative said about them here, but elsewhere I have read HORROR stories about them. From all my reading, and speaking with people who have dealt with their caiques going through maturity, I've gathered that they can be extremely challenging. I've heard all about how Jekyll/Hyde they can be...how incredibly moody, aggressive, and prone to holding grudges. I have a few accounts of people actually being stalked by their caiques. My friend has scars from one all over her hands.

Has nobody here dealt with such things? Is it because you all have baby birds, whose hormones haven't hit yet? Or is it just a strange coincidence that everyone here has angel caiques? I'm curious!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

My Caiques [Sammy and Greta] are 7 and 8. They both did go through this bipolar time where they did beat the crap out of us. It wasn't long and it wasn't something that I couldn't handle. These are very head strong little birds . What it came down to is respect. Don't make them come see you if they don't want to. What I do when I first let them out is LET THEM PLAY [then they want to come see me]. I think those people may have broke their trust [and had expectations of them they didn't want] I think their all around great little birds !!

 

[RavensGryf]

I also wondered the exact same thing! I've read about that too on several different articles.

 

[cateyes221981]

mine was born in 09

where did u hear horror story? them hurting other birds? yeah they probably would if they can catch them.

i use a pearch to pick mine up he would probably bite.

 

[cateyes221981]

i want to read the articles

 

[cateyes221981]

I agree with the stalking thing mine goes under the couch or bed and just creeps around and has one eye on you lol

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm sorry I don't remember where I read it. On the internet. Google some keywords and see if you can make some articles come up.
Made me say WOW caiques!

 

[aether-drifter]

I wish I could link the stories I'm talking about (first-hand accounts, several of them), but they're on another forum. I don't think it was an issue of the owners disrespecting the birds, or not knowing what they were doing...it sounded to me like these were truly challenging creatures. Of course that could apply to any parrot, but it seems some caiques really are extreme!

 

[DanR]

I'm a month away from picking up a new Caique and tihs thread is kind of scaring me now

 

[Gizmomania]

I just posted the experience I had with Walter last night under 'Behavioral'. Really shook me up. :-(

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I know someone with a caique, every time I see her she begs me to take him. He has a extreme mood wings. He'll be fine one moment, then the next she all her fingers are bloody.

 

[RavensGryf]

I wish I could link the stories I'm talking about (first-hand accounts, several of them), but they're on another forum. I don't think it was an issue of the owners disrespecting the birds, or not knowing what they were doing...it sounded to me like these were truly challenging creatures. Of course that could apply to any parrot, but it seems some caiques really are extreme!

Ditto... :19:

 

[Terry57]

I have a friend who raises Caiques...she has 26 of them. 8 are her pets, and she absolutely loves them! I will have to ask her about this and see what her experience has been.

 

[punkindave]

Mine are 1, 2, 4 and 7 years old respectively. I have seen he start of bad moods occasionally where they can get more than "nippy". I play rough with them and they seem to be easily distracted from any real negative behavior. Their favorite is being grabbed by the beak or head and flipping them on their back for a round of finger wrestling which I always let them win (they normally keep coming back for more until they jump to my shoulder in victory and cheer loudly!!!!)

They also definitely don't like being told what to do, interrupting a Caique "on a mission" can always result in a negative outcome if you're not prepared with a proper distraction (they all have ADD).
They there have been times where they take an instant dislike to someone and will lash out. Most of mine like pretty much anybody, but Ringo actively HATES my Son and will actually chase him around nipping at his shoes when he visits!! Of course my Son runs away freaking out which makes it a huge, funny game for Ringo!

That said, I've heard tell of Caiques that are supposedly just pure evil. Yes, I've been bitten hard a few times, but not by my own (knock wood).

 

[ParkersMom]

I was told by the breeder that caiques need to be handled everyday or they can become rather nippy and start biting...Juno is 7 months old and is already very determined... you just have to work with them always training and always reinforcing good behavior...I play rough with her so i expect to get the same in return...but I also have 2 amazons so a little bitty caique bite isn't much comparatively... lol

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I have a friend who raises Caiques...she has 26 of them. 8 are her pets, and she absolutely loves them! I will have to ask her about this and see what her experience has been.

Ha Ha 26 Caiques Id be cross eyed ! Theirs a book I read once .My favorite part was this guy who lived alone . He had one bird ,then eventually took in so many he turned his whole house into a rescue! He had volunteers to help him and when asked if they were in cages . He explained the birds were cage free . They were on perches with paper under them that was changed daily. He had the Macaw room Zon ,Too etc,. but even though he only had a few 5 or 7 ? The Caiques had to be locked up . Because if they were out together they would form a gang and take on the whole house .!!! Knowing these guys, the thought of it [I could see this ] made me hysterical

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I was told by the breeder that caiques need to be handled everyday or they can become rather nippy and start biting...Juno is 7 months old and is already very determined... you just have to work with them always training and always reinforcing good behavior...I play rough with her so i expect to get the same in return...but I also have 2 amazons so a little bitty caique bite isn't much comparatively... lol

Id be more worried about my Zon biting me too than the Caiques.

 

[aether-drifter]

Mine are 1, 2, 4 and 7 years old respectively. I have seen he start of bad moods occasionally where they can get more than "nippy". I play rough with them and they seem to be easily distracted from any real negative behavior. Their favorite is being grabbed by the beak or head and flipping them on their back for a round of finger wrestling which I always let them win (they normally keep coming back for more until they jump to my shoulder in victory and cheer loudly!!!!)

They also definitely don't like being told what to do, interrupting a Caique "on a mission" can always result in a negative outcome if you're not prepared with a proper distraction (they all have ADD).
They there have been times where they take an instant dislike to someone and will lash out. Most of mine like pretty much anybody, but Ringo actively HATES my Son and will actually chase him around nipping at his shoes when he visits!! Of course my Son runs away freaking out which makes it a huge, funny game for Ringo!

That said, I've heard tell of Caiques that are supposedly just pure evil. Yes, I've been bitten hard a few times, but not by my own (knock wood).

You know, I'm also wondering if things are different when people have more than one, and give them a lot of freedom/out of cage time (almost like an aviary setting). Most people I've spoken to who have multiple caiques haven't experienced the craziness I'm talking about.

 

[aether-drifter]

I was told by the breeder that caiques need to be handled everyday or they can become rather nippy and start biting...Juno is 7 months old and is already very determined... you just have to work with them always training and always reinforcing good behavior...I play rough with her so i expect to get the same in return...but I also have 2 amazons so a little bitty caique bite isn't much comparatively... lol

The people I know with crazy caiques never failed to handle or socialize them; on the contrary, it seemed to be because of the close bond these birds have with their owners that they developed "problem" behavior. Likely because the caique has certain expectations of the relationship and the human (not being a bird or a bird mind-reader) cannot live up to the expectations.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Couple thoughts ,Gizmoma - My Greta has done this before when she was over excited. As soon as her eyes pin and she rocks back and forth [we put her back]. She hasn't done it in a long time. I would go by Walters cage [and wait for him to show and interest again ] no rush. I really think these guys when they first come out need to be left alone to play and get it out of their system then see them. You will learn his moods and when hes going to be a bugger. I also know mine are miserable when their molting [they seem sore] As Pumpin Dave said,dont get in their way if their on a mission [or have a pen LOL] because their going to win !! Ive also noticed mine are light sensitive . They wont come out till the suns up [and want to be in bed when it goes down.] I could see if someone had one Caique [and other birds].If you were not making it feel loved and a priority [how it could turn into a monster]. I know birds nip [and it does hurt] But if their drawing blood we need to take responsibility to figure out what they didn't like we were doing [and not just wrack it up their a moody bird] Ill say it again these guys are one of my favorite species