Hi All. I've been wanting to get a Caique for a while and the only pet I had has been a budgie. However my wife has been reluctant to it saying that it'd need too much attention and come with too much responsibility. I have tried to counter argue that it would take slightly more than a budgie yet far less than a dog, yet she was not convinced. How would you advice in this situation? Do you think it is considerably more responsibility over a budgie? And In terms of attention, I know that cliques are very playful birds (and that's the reason I want it over my antisocial budgie), yet can they still stay alone when they had to (say, over a weekend)? All replies are appreciated, thanks!
Some Prospect Newbie Questions
- Thread starter mogonen
- Start date
psychocircus91
Member
Parrots are flock animals. Caiques are no exception. I would have to disagree with you. I have chickens and two dogs, but my parrot is the MOST work; yes more than the dogs. Sure, a parrot can survive with less attention than a dog, but it certainly will not thrive. I would say leaving him/her overnight without someone coming in would be okay if it's a couple times a year.
My thought is a parrot should have a minimum of several hours of attention (even if indirect) a day. This means out of cage time, being in your presence, being able to talk to you, ect.
I'm a total sentimentalist and parrot romantic.
ANY parrot will blossom from as much attention as possible.
Budgies are fabulous birds (ALL parrot, tiny package), Caiques, too.
Good for you for reaching out for input...
ANY parrot will blossom from as much attention as possible.
Budgies are fabulous birds (ALL parrot, tiny package), Caiques, too.
Good for you for reaching out for input...
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks for input. Is it MOST work due to the attention need? I don't have problem with that. I try to play with my budgie daily, despite she's never into it. But what I really wonder is the regular care. The budgie care was pretty easy: clean the cage once a week, change food&water twice a week, occasionally give vitamins/sprays and treats, trim nails once year. How would a caique compare in that sense? thanks!
psychocircus91
Member
Well, caiques are messier in general. Expect food to be thrown around, wood pieces to be dropped on the floor. Cleaning to some extent every other day. They should also have fresh veggies and fruit every day. New water every day. Routine vet visits with an avian specialist.
I am going to be honest with you. Parrots are not for you. They need:
* Food and water changed daily
* Clean cage 1x a week, more if he's a messy eater
* interaction 1 on 1 time wit you and your wife every day ( 1 hour ea minimum)
* Toys, lot of them, to chew up and destroy
* Visits to a AVIAN vet- annually at minimum
* Fresh fruit and veggies every day
* 30 or 40 years of your time
Think hard about these minimum requirements. Caiques are fun, super active parrots.
* Food and water changed daily
* Clean cage 1x a week, more if he's a messy eater
* interaction 1 on 1 time wit you and your wife every day ( 1 hour ea minimum)
* Toys, lot of them, to chew up and destroy
* Visits to a AVIAN vet- annually at minimum
* Fresh fruit and veggies every day
* 30 or 40 years of your time
Think hard about these minimum requirements. Caiques are fun, super active parrots.
FlyBirdiesFly
New member
I have to agree with wrench13. Budgies, caiques, and other parrots require two hours minimum interaction (you are not giving your budgie enough attention, either take him out and socialize with him daily, or get him a companion bird) avian vet visits, exercise/flight time, training, DAILY food and water changes, cage cleaning at least once a week, nail trims (no wing clipping!), fresh veggies/fruit and varied diet, toys, perches, and the largest cage you can afford. Parrots are a lot of work. Please reconsider getting a caique if you're not ready for one. What you described with the budgie is mistreating the poor thing. Do you ever let him out of the cage? And you absolutely cannot leave the parrot alone for an entire weekend.
Tami2
Well-known member
I agree w/ wrench13.
“change food&water twice a week” “leave him alone for an entire weekend”
That’s awful, what are you thinking?
“change food&water twice a week” “leave him alone for an entire weekend”
That’s awful, what are you thinking?
Last edited:
AmyMyBlueFront
Well-known member
- Apr 14, 2015
- 6,315
- Media
- 4
- 3,034
- Parrots
- Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(
And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
WOW "feed and change water twice a week" Sorry..but that is just WRONG!..
My little BB gets fresh water a MINIUM of twice a DAY! And EVERYDAY he gets some kind of fresh food ( veggies/fruit etc) EVERY day! And social/out of his house (cage) time a couple hours every day!
No wonder your little Budgie is "antisocial" :11:
Jim
My little BB gets fresh water a MINIUM of twice a DAY! And EVERYDAY he gets some kind of fresh food ( veggies/fruit etc) EVERY day! And social/out of his house (cage) time a couple hours every day!
No wonder your little Budgie is "antisocial" :11:
Jim
LordTriggs
New member
I was going to write a long-winded list of reasons why you shouldn't get a bird just based off those 2 paragraphs you have put but I'll just put it to this
your wife says no
you don't even know how to care for your budgie and your current care is akin to abuse
your wife says no
parrots even budgies are harder to care for than any dog
your wife says no
do not get a parrot until you have completely researched and UNDERSTOOD the amount of care needed for one, they are not easy creatures. Also do not get a parrot when your wife explicitly said no to you, it's not a case of convincing her. She needs to want to have a parrot in the house
your wife says no
you don't even know how to care for your budgie and your current care is akin to abuse
your wife says no
parrots even budgies are harder to care for than any dog
your wife says no
do not get a parrot until you have completely researched and UNDERSTOOD the amount of care needed for one, they are not easy creatures. Also do not get a parrot when your wife explicitly said no to you, it's not a case of convincing her. She needs to want to have a parrot in the house
LordTriggs
New member
no doubt the little thing has a bacterial problem. Bet the poor guy has forgotten how to fly cause I bet he never gets let out the cage
Laylatoo
New member
- Feb 27, 2017
- 151
- 0
- Parrots
- Layla- F Galah 02/14
Jazzi- F Galah 3/24/17
Mali-F Meyers/Senegal 5/5/17
Pyper- F CAG 11-1-2017
I have a lot of fur (and feathered) kids. Here is the list of which are high maintenance and require the most time during my day.
#1. My birds! Making meals for them, cleanup, play time, making sure they are kept busy. My birds take up the same amount of time and care my toddlers did when my kids were young.
#2. The horses
#3 the dogs
#4 the cats.
Don’t get a bird with the expectation of an easy pet. It is so far from the truth. And don’t forget the miedical Care required. I’m dealing with a mystery illness with one of mine. I’m off to a third vet next week. I’ve been consumed with treating my girl and worry. Just get prepared. Birds are a huge commitment.
#1. My birds! Making meals for them, cleanup, play time, making sure they are kept busy. My birds take up the same amount of time and care my toddlers did when my kids were young.
#2. The horses
#3 the dogs
#4 the cats.
Don’t get a bird with the expectation of an easy pet. It is so far from the truth. And don’t forget the miedical Care required. I’m dealing with a mystery illness with one of mine. I’m off to a third vet next week. I’ve been consumed with treating my girl and worry. Just get prepared. Birds are a huge commitment.
clark_conure
Well-known member
Everyone pretty much summed up everything I was going to say....I know caiques are adorable on youtube, I started out thinking about one but then I came to my senses about what "I" can offer a bird. You have to understand those birds are hyperactive and need more than even the 2 hours a day.
Last edited:
Highly encourage you to re-think your decision on getting another bird, as most everyone has mentioned here, they actually do require more maintenance then most other pets.
I won't hold it against you, as many people are uninformed on what it really takes to own a bird. You do have to change their water and food daily, some people change it several times a day if they are especially messy. Doesn't include preparing fresh foods/chop, changing their papers 1x a week, on top of play time outside of cage every day. They aren't the kind of animals that you just change their bowls a couple times a week, admire them in a corner and go on with your life. No...they are flock animals and want to be a part of your family!
Heed the advice given here already, and really think hard about this commitment. You can certainly expand your research and learning, and we can help you understand their needs better if you are willing to listen.
Don't be a stranger. Read some of the threads in the different sub-forums and take all the information in; the members here are very experienced with many different species and are only looking out for the well-being of our birds and want to give our parrots the best life possible.
To be a great parrot owner, you'll really want to think about the things mentioned here. A good, responsible parrot owner....
- will provide the biggest cage possible for their bird so they can spread their wings easily and not feel cramped for space.
- will provide lots of toys in the cage for chewing and playing
- will provide fresh food and water changed daily (at least, some do multiple changes a day)
- will provide lots of out of cage time for the bird to get out and stretch its wings, cuddle, play, and be a part of the family dynamic by enjoying activities with you
- will provide showers/baths at least once a week for bird to keep feathers clean
- will provide veterinary care annually with a Certified Avian Vet
- will make their bird part of their everyday lives, and not just a decoration in the corner
- will provide training for bird to learn new skills with treats and will continue to train throughout bird's life
- will commit to cleaning their cage 1x a week
- will feed a varied, healthy diet of pellets, fresh fruits and veggies, small amount of seeds, cooked legumes and grains
As you can see...there is SO much that goes into owning a bird. And there are steps you can take to make sure your birds are taken care of should you go away for the weekend or on vacation. Have a friend stop by at least once a day to change food/water and to interact with them, board at the vet for vacations, etc.
I won't hold it against you, as many people are uninformed on what it really takes to own a bird. You do have to change their water and food daily, some people change it several times a day if they are especially messy. Doesn't include preparing fresh foods/chop, changing their papers 1x a week, on top of play time outside of cage every day. They aren't the kind of animals that you just change their bowls a couple times a week, admire them in a corner and go on with your life. No...they are flock animals and want to be a part of your family!
Heed the advice given here already, and really think hard about this commitment. You can certainly expand your research and learning, and we can help you understand their needs better if you are willing to listen.
Don't be a stranger. Read some of the threads in the different sub-forums and take all the information in; the members here are very experienced with many different species and are only looking out for the well-being of our birds and want to give our parrots the best life possible.
To be a great parrot owner, you'll really want to think about the things mentioned here. A good, responsible parrot owner....
- will provide the biggest cage possible for their bird so they can spread their wings easily and not feel cramped for space.
- will provide lots of toys in the cage for chewing and playing
- will provide fresh food and water changed daily (at least, some do multiple changes a day)
- will provide lots of out of cage time for the bird to get out and stretch its wings, cuddle, play, and be a part of the family dynamic by enjoying activities with you
- will provide showers/baths at least once a week for bird to keep feathers clean
- will provide veterinary care annually with a Certified Avian Vet
- will make their bird part of their everyday lives, and not just a decoration in the corner
- will provide training for bird to learn new skills with treats and will continue to train throughout bird's life
- will commit to cleaning their cage 1x a week
- will feed a varied, healthy diet of pellets, fresh fruits and veggies, small amount of seeds, cooked legumes and grains
As you can see...there is SO much that goes into owning a bird. And there are steps you can take to make sure your birds are taken care of should you go away for the weekend or on vacation. Have a friend stop by at least once a day to change food/water and to interact with them, board at the vet for vacations, etc.
Last edited:
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #15
Nope, I take her out almost daily. Actually I generally leave the cage door is open and she goes in/out whenever she wants. Sometimes she flies to our bedroom in the mornings. Also she was un-caged for about a month; lived in an open nest. She can perch on my shoulder/finger, and even lands on my hand (only if she can't find a better spot to land on). She also says her name "ginger". I got her about just over one year old ad did all this taming by myself. What I mean here is that she won't stick around me to play with me when she is out. NEVER. She runs to her cage or other favorite spots n the room at the first chance. I couldn't ever bond with her despite all this patient taming.
FlyBirdiesFly
New member
Glad to hear you are letting your budgie out of the cage. Please do make sure to change her food and water daily, as bacteria can build up and make her sick. You do have an avian vet, correct? I understand how you weren't able to bond with her, my budgie prefers to be in her cage also. Make sure you let her out every day for at least two hours instead of "almost daily". And give her fresh foods daily, pellets and seeds are not enough for a complete diet.
Kiwibird
Well-known member
- Jul 12, 2012
- 9,539
- 111
- Parrots
- 1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
I hope you'll take some time to check out the diet section to learn some great info about what your budgie should be eating and that you'll be offering more of the *healthy* foods your budgie NEEDS (any food that can be changed twice a week because it doesn't spoil isn't adequate nutrition for a parrot).
As for getting a caique?
If you're not up for the "attention needs" of a perpetual toddler going through the terrible twos, you probably aren't going to do real well with a medium sized parrot. Especially not a caique. They are one of the more "high energy" parrot species and VERY active (which means YOU will be very active keeping the bird happy and mentally stimulated). They sold them at a bird store we used to go to and they made my head spin!
As for getting a caique?
If you're not up for the "attention needs" of a perpetual toddler going through the terrible twos, you probably aren't going to do real well with a medium sized parrot. Especially not a caique. They are one of the more "high energy" parrot species and VERY active (which means YOU will be very active keeping the bird happy and mentally stimulated). They sold them at a bird store we used to go to and they made my head spin!
hello and welcome, i am glad that you are asking questions before buying your pet bird. these birds are fantastic but really need a lot of input, i have two beautiful caique and they do keep each other occupied when i am not there. but i also spend many hours every day with them outside the cage, they never stop so much energy. they need fresh food every day mine gets it twice a day as they are still young and are eating loads, they get cleaned out every day, with two twice the mess. only you can make the decision whether you have the time for these lovely birds. i hope you make the right decision on a life long friend.
Most Reactions
-
628 -
266 -
231 -
187 -
158 -
110 -
108 -
82 -
72 -
55 -
O
52
-
46 -
45 -
40 -
34
