Senegal vs Red Belly vs Caiques?!

[Ribbed]

I'm having the hardest time deciding which to choose!

I have criteria in mind:

-playful/fun/clowny
-cuddly/likes to be touched
-not terribly shrill (my husband minds more than I do)
-likes to spend a lot of time with their human (I want to devote a lot of attention/time)

Does anybody have observations/generalizations/ stories about their little friends that could help me decide?
Help would be very much appreciated!! :smile015:

 

[Pinkbirdy]

I dont know about the other 2 ,but I love my caiquies thats why I have 2. They like and go to evevryone but my kids are their favorite people.They need big wide cages lots of swings ,boings and toys and tons of foot toys!! They need an out time consistent schedule. I dont have them out with my other birds they can be aggressive. Hearty eaters ,give them lots of different foods.Tons of fun !!

 

[Ribbed]

Thanks for the reply!! Sounds like they're brave and don't spook easily then. Are they shrill?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

My friend has a caique who is pretty shrill, but that's the I only one I've met and she raised him as a screamer on accident.

 

[Parrotdise]

I have a black headed Caique, and my Mother has a white bellied. They are really high maintenance compared to some of the other species. They need a lot of toys, and space to play and of course attention. If socialized well they can be a family pet, but if there are kids in your family younger than teenager i probably would not recommend this species because they can be very unpredictable. Even knowing how well we socialized Daisy Jane (passing her from person to person each night) and had her from baby i would not trust her near kids. Someday i am going to have to be so careful. Daisy can be an attack bird and will fly after other animals, with the personality i think she could do this to people. When Caiques get older they will change a little from being so open to some of the cute stuff you see. If they get a game going of some kind where they bite it can be hard to break, they do remember well. Really, i am sure some people on here would disagree but Caiques are really not my favorite. Daisy does really cute things and is generally pretty sweet and does cuddle. I love her dearly. I will never get rid of her but i won't get another Caique.

Even though poicephalus are 1-2 people bird only i love this species. They are very devoted to their companion humans. In my experience they are more intelligent than Caiques. I enjoy being able to have a bird who behaves with a more consistent behavior. I have had a Senegal which was my first parrot and i also have a red bellied. Both are wonderful birds. I think My Sennie may have been female she did not talk but she knew all of her colors and could even pick out an orange block from a pink one. Sam, my red bellied does talk and he knows a few tricks. Some day when the time is right I would like to get a Jardines.


Oh and are Caiques Shrill? The answer is yes they can be. Sometimes Daisy will scream near my head if i am getting them food and i am not doing it fast enough. She can be very demanding over a nut or coming out. It is easy for them to train you with their scream, she actually trained my Dad to always give her a nut and it has been very hard to break.

If you are wanting a more family type a bird Pionus are really nice birds and you might check those out. I always find myself suggesting Pionus because i think they are such great birds.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I also love Pionus. The only downside to them is they, as a species, are more prone to aspergillosis.

 

[aliray]

My vote is a redbellied. I have a female and she sounds like everything you are looking for. The only time I have heard her make a loud noise was when my Quaker tried to grab her tail feathers. She is very quiet and picks up whistles. and noises from the house and mumbles to herself. She is very affectionate, and loves to be with you, loves to play with her toys.

 

[MeganMango]

I also have a red belly and he is amazing. As first time parrot owners he has been easy to train and care for. He is pretty care free provided we provide lots of toys and allowing him free time when we are home. Mango tried the screaming thing, but gave up pretty quickly when we very carefully and firmly ignored it. He whistles a couple of tunes from star wars and star trek that Dave and I taught him, but mostly he talks. He has a great little munchkin voice and is very clever. He recently learned how to play peekaboo and cant gen enough of this game. He loves when we have company and is a real show off. He has built a great relationship with both Dave and I, and although he can be independent he also likes to sit with us while we watch TV etc. Hes not big on hands, but he cuddles into our necks and he steps up etc. I consider him pretty low maintenance, but a lot of fun!

 

[Ribbed]

I'm so, so, so glad that Mango likes Star Trek tunes. I love that show and the mental image of your little fella whistling it makes me giggle.
It's good to know that screaming is something avoidable, even if they try it!

 

[Pinkbirdy]

The good , the bad and the ugly of my caiques. First I forget how kids can be with birds and theres no way I would encourage birds and kids . My girls are now 10 and 13 .They have had birds in their life for awhile and are a huge help and love them. Im ridiculous about my birds and it must have rubbed off on them .I take no chances. My first bird that actually liked me was Greta my caique. I got them as babys . I notice that they were louder with their calls when they were babys than to how they are now . Birds are loud some more than others .Theres normal vocalizations and you want that [Thats a happy bird] . Quietest birds ive had were my macaw,rosebreasted 2 and african grey. Caiques need structure and set limits or I could see where they can become monsters. Their very headstrong if they get something they cant have [good luck getting it back] They have their moods you just need to learn your bird . Sometimes when their out they are more interested in playing so they go on a playstand [then come see me] they can be very affectionate. I like these birds [they look like they love life] mine even say a few words. I have 2 now and Greta seems to love it . Their cages are next to each other . They mirror each other ,eat ,play , sleep facing each other at the same time. Only one of my 9 birds that puts themselves to bed when it gets dark.When they were young they were nippy [their good now] I would take there beak easier than my conures but I think its the shape of them.I think its what you put into your birds . When they know their loved and understood it brings out the best of them . Thats how im able to do 9 birds http://www.parrotforums.com/members/pinkbirdy-albums-belly-picture7588-995.html

 

[Ribbed]

It's so cute that yours mirror each other!
Chatter and vocalizations are fine as long as they aren't constantly earsplitting
I keep hearing the phrase "setting limits" around the internet. I'm not sure if I know what that means exactly? I've only had compliant budgies, so I don't know what kind of things to look out for in terms of setting limits...
I'm looking forward to having a relationship with a feathered friend; I think that treating people with the grace we give ourselves and giving animals the grace we give people is the best way to brighten our little spheres of influence :] (I'm a corny corncob of corniness haha)

 

[Karigan]

My sennie is great. Not shrill, loves affection and can be independent. Not so much a clown, but is entertaining none the less.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

It's so cute that yours mirror each other!
Chatter and vocalizations are fine as long as they aren't constantly earsplitting
I keep hearing the phrase "setting limits" around the internet. I'm not sure if I know what that means exactly? I've only had compliant budgies, so I don't know what kind of things to look out for in terms of setting limits...
I'm looking forward to having a relationship with a feathered friend; I think that treating people with the grace we give ourselves and giving animals the grace we give people is the best way to brighten our little spheres of influence :] (I'm a corny corncob of corniness haha)

They are loud with morning and night calls but your not going to change that . They will call [and be beggers] cause they want your attention . It gets better when they learn the routine [like any bird] I was always told keep your birds on a realistic time schedule that you can keep up with. like if you only have a 20 to 30 minutes in the morning than do that . Same with the rest of the day .Its ok to change it sometimes . You just need to do this so their not stressed out about being in their cage .Mine like it cause they know their coming out later.Sometimes I put them on a playstand first.Like kids waiting for recess they want to play . Keep pens pencils ,earings away thats when it gets bad LOL .When their being impossible put them back in their cage.If you get a impossable bird ,keep out times with them shorter . When it gets beter increase it