Whats your Caique like as a companion?

[Jaz27b]

Hi everyone, I'm wondering what a caique is like as a companion parrot? I've got my eye on Senegals at the moment and am very happy with the way they sound as a companion, but just spoke to a breeder and he suggested a caique to me. I live in an apartment so the main thing of concern is noise really.... And of course I know every bird makes noise but the Senegal for example is ment to be a quiter parrot overall. I work mostly long hours on the wknd during the day say 7 till 6pm.... Wed n Thursday 12 till 6pm Fridays I work mostly from home. Are caiques good at entertaining them selves for hours at a time whilst I would be at work? Are they known to scream much for attention or when bored? (Eg when not home).

I love the way the look and how playful they are, but not sure on their noise factor. I am happy to trade the prettyness for a Bird who is still cute but not unapartment friendly, such as the Senegal.

All personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Jaz

 

[RavensGryf]

I can't tell you much about Caiques from personal experience, but I did want to say that since you mentioned Senegals (or actually any smaller Poicephalus) is an excellent pet choice for someone wanting a bird both fairly quiet AND independent. As a bonus, many of them can be cuddly too. Typically the smaller Poi's are not needy or persistent for attention. To ME, they're the perfect parrot!

I know you're asking about Caiques, but I thought I'd take my little opportunity to promote Poi's since you say you're also looking at Senegals

 

[ParkersMom]

I have 2 amazons and a black headed caique. And my caique is by far the easiest and more laid back. She can entertain herself for hours with the strangest and simplest of "toys" If my husband would let me I'd have lots of them...lol as far as noise she can be loud but as a general rule she stays pretty quiet. I love her and so far I haven't met a caique I didn't like. They are also very social with people even with very little actual socialization. It only takes her a few minutes to warm up to new people. She will eat almost anything so a good diet isn't an issue.

 

[dskidd]

First of all, I only have experience with caiques, so I can't compare a Senegal.

I know I make a lot of (allegedly) humorous posts about Eliza and Henry, but--truth be told--I can't imagine a pair of more delightful companion birds than these two. I like to think I have a reasonably expansive vocabulary, but I have yet to find the words to express how much I love E&H

They do tend to make noise in the morning (sometimes I get the impression they're just telling the world "Hey, it's GREAT to be a bird!"), but I don't consider it overwhelming. In fact, I just talk right along them. Other than that, they are actually reasonably quiet. They're out now as I type this and I can't hear them at all; I'd actually have to go look for them to figure out where they are. They are quite independent, and can amuse themselves for hours. However, they do like to be around me, which is quite pleasant. They don't have to necessarily be on me, just nearby. In the evening, they are quite the little cuddle bugs. Having them nestled under my chin while I'm watching a movie or reading is one of the great sensations in life.

They are definitely constant entertainment. Unquestionably, the more you put into them, the more you get out of them. And they let me join their wrestling matches, which is very generous of E&H.

By the way, everything I've written above about E&H can be applied to Eliza alone: I had her for nearly a year before Henry arrived on the scene.

It's obviously a big decision for you, and--as I mentioned--I have no experience with Senegals (or any other type of parrot, for that matter). Nevertheless, caiques are just wonderful birds to have around; I can't even imagine what life was like before them at this point.

Hope that helps,

Derek

PS As far as diet goes, whoever came up with that saying "He/she eats like a bird," clearly had zero exposure to caiques...

 

[Julianna]

I also don't have experience with senegals, but I've had Pippi for almost a year, and I love her to pieces every day. She always wants attention, but she's also happy to entertain herself for hours in her cage while I'm at school and other activities. She shrieks every afternoon around 3:00 because she knows that school is over (she still does it even though it's summer) and I'll let her out, but she only shrieks for short periods, and I've heard of other caiques which are very quiet. They can be loud, though, so it's your call whether or not it's a good idea for an apartment. I've heard people say caiques are not affectionate. Not true. Pippi loves snuggling up with me every night, and she loves a good head scratch as much as any parrot. Also, caiques learn tricks soooo fast. Pippi knows a million which make me laugh every time (play dead is my favorite ) They are super high energy, so daily out-of-cage time (as with any parrot) is a must. I love my crazy little girl more than anything

PS As far as diet goes, whoever came up with that saying "He/she eats like a bird," clearly had zero exposure to caiques...

So true...

 

[RavensGryf]

I see you already have one Caique . Another point to consider is that I would not count on a Caique and Senegal getting along peacefully.

For one, I know (and I've heard many other Poi owners say too) that Poi's typically do not like other birds, to the point they can be violent towards others.

ALSO, I've heard similar about Caiques? They are partial to their own kind...Is that right Derek or anyone? I've noticed a lot of the time that when a Caique has a bird friend, it is another Caique. Just like the Poi's, I've heard about some very tenacious if not violent tendencies towards other birds.

 

[dskidd]

ALSO, I've heard similar about Caiques? They are partial to their own kind...Is that right Derek or anyone? I've noticed a lot of the time that when a Caique has a bird friend, it is another Caique. Just like the Poi's, I've heard about some very tenacious if not violent tendencies towards other birds.

Unfortunately, I can't speak to that. I mean, I do have a canary and a couple of green singer finches, but as far as E&H are concerned, they might as well be moths for all the interest they show in them. They really haven't been exposed to other types of parrots, although they get along fine with Kiwi (Henry's sister) when I board them.

Derek

 

[ParkersMom]

Juno will try and jump on the amazons cages when I walk by with her but not really any violent tendencies that I have noticed...but just a word of warning they are very addictive little birds...lol

 

[punkindave]

I would agree with dskidd, the noises they make can be somewhat loud, but it's a more of a joyous cheer rather than demanding screech (like my Triton).. They cheer when you come home, they cheer when you come down in the morning and they will squawk loudly at times when playing rough with each other (we've got 4 of them)

Bottom line, I couldn't imagine life without these little hellions, they are awesome!! While it's tough eating or getting work done while they're out climbing around, it's pure entertainment watching them conquer all they see with a swagger and confidence that I've only seen in Caiques!!

As far as other breeds in the same house, we have a pretty mixed bag.. The Caiques can be bullies (even to each other) and they really don't know that they aren't 30# birds.. We will never let them out when the Triton is out.. Ringo will walk right into our RBC's cage and steal a snack, Skittles and Scooter will both chase the CAG off her stand to gain control of her food bowl!

They do entertain themselves and as long as you include them in your daily routine with out of cage "fun" time they'll be just fine!

 

[ParkersMom]

On a side note are any of your caiques afraid of strange things. If I get near Juno's cage with a whole unpeeled orange she will absolutely freak but she will gladly eat the orange slices...I also bought a few yellow water and food bowls for when we go out of town. She saw those and freaked as well...

 

[Pinkbirdy]

As you can see from are posts . We are blissfully passionate about are Caiques ! Why I love my Caiques Mine know how to self entertain and play with their toys the most of my bunch[and you see all my birds ].They bounce ,hop, play on their back s and run They are not afraid of things [like my other birds would be }. Their like "Bring it on " . Love ,Love, Love all their different foods.But whats funny ,if I go to see them they stop their playing and jump on me [with their cute little noises ]. For tons of loving for me , then back to playing I have 2 ,and im getting another from Texas soon named "Caboose".

 

[Jaz27b]

Goodness me, thank you everyone for your replies!

Ok so:

Ravens: Yes the senegal does seem to be the most "perfect fit parrot" for my situation i think too. I actually dont have any birds at the moment, the picture of my little green guy is my beautiful boy who passed away.. but i still use his picture in everything Lol. So i wouldnt have to worry about having two different birds and them not getting along etc (i thihnk i could only handle one anyway lol). If i had a house, omg i would have everybird possible and quit my job to play with them all allll day Lol.

Parkersmom: you say that a general rule your Caique is quiet, but can get quite loud... how often does she get loud? Is it a daily screaming fit or just loud when shes happy to see you etc?

Derek: When your munchkins get going in the morning... is it at dawn before you are even awake? Or is it once you are up and they are greeting you and the world? Do they keep on going for an extended period of time or just a few loud squawks and then thats it? Do you find that they encourage each other, for example, they go back and forth to one another? Was it different when it was just Eliza alone in reagrds the morning calls?


I can clearly see that they are a fun hyper bird which is uber cute, but do they sit still at all? Lol Im a portrait photographer and could easily sit and sort my portraits, or edit at my computer for hours and my Varied Lorikeet at the time would hapiily just hang out on my shoulder... sure he would run around a little, but for the most part, he was very content just sitting and preening my hair, or lying on his side having a cuddle with my neck, eating my ears, etc etc.... Would anyones Caique be happy to just hang out? Of course there would be fun play times too, but i loved that i could get Elmo out whilst i worked and not have to worry about him annoying my to much Lol.

Oh the Caique sounds so darn cool! I LOOOOVE that they hop around Lol, but i have a feeling they may be to energetic for my current work/lifestyle :-(((((((

 

[ParkersMom]

It is more of a happy to see you kinda noise... As far as just hanging out they are very good at that as well...to give you and idea of how well adapted and adorable they are my husband is anything but a bird person and even he loves her to pieces... The amazons not so much...lol

 

[ParkersMom]

Now don't get me wrong when the amazons get going she joins right in...but they always start it...I would be completely comfortable having her in an apartment.

 

[Jaz27b]

Now thats a good way to put it Perkersmom! That you would be "completely comfortable having her in an aprtment"... Thanks!!!

Would any one else be comfortable with their Caiques in an apartment?

 

[SSBirdPop]

Our current flock consists of two cai ques, a WB and BH as well as a G2. The cai ques are both fearless and friendly, with the BH being the more laid back and snuggly and WB being more high strung and testy. They are voracious eaters, not picky in the least and they both worship the G2. Of the three, the G2 is obviously louder, but the cai ques are much more vocal. Most of the time, its a pleasant trilling sound... and then sometimes its a high pitched screech that is clearly intended to make them sound ferocious to predators. Thankfully, they do not exhibit this behavior often, but on nail-clipping day, wow. Having said that, I think they could be tolerable as apartment birds provided their cage was kept on an exterior facing wall as opposed to an interior wall that's shared with an adjacent unit.

The cai ques are fun! They love to be on the floor and chase the cats. They love playing this game where I flip them over on their backs and I tickle their bellies. Then they flip themselves back upright and run over so I can do it again. If I flip them over and don't tickle their bellies, they'll wait on their backs until I do so before flipping back over and running over for more. I've had birds my whole life and have never seen that level of playful rough housing type behavior in other breeds. They're honestly like the puppies of the parrot world.

I've read what many folks have written on here about cai ques getting hormonal and bird aggressive and I'm sure that must happen in some but we've been really lucky. Our birds have remained playful and friendly. They are quite bonded to each other and still love the G2 and the humans too.

 

[Julianna]

Jaz27b, you said your Lorikeet would sit on your shoulder just preening for long periods of time -- at least with Pippi, this would never happen. She preens for a few seconds at a time, gets bored, and continues to run around and play, and I've never been able to get her to sit with me while I work. If I give Pippi a really entertaining toy sometimes I can distract her for a bit, but she always wants to do whatever I'm doing (in other words, chew whatever I'm working on) so I usually don't try to get any "sit-down" work done while she's out. I think this is perhaps the only thing I don't like about owning a caique

 

[Pinkbirdy]

iIf you want a bird to sit and hang out for hours [get a bonded MACAW] Not kidding . Mine sit on my knee while Im on my laptop, they all do it My GWs with me now . I wanted to add I feel my Caiques are the easiest birds of my flock

 

[Jaz27b]

When the day comes that I can own my own house.... I would love to get a macaw! And a cockatoo LOL. I just did a quick Google on the green winged and they are so beautiful but every post spoke of how loud they are hahaha.

Thank you to everyone though for all your posts and experiences! As funny and crazy and awesome as the caiques sound, I think they may be just a bit to hyper for what I will be able to provide for them :-( I shall have to stick to the more laid back Senegal.... Which is perfectly fine with me I'm sure I will be suggested another parrot between now when I'm ready so I'm sure there will be more questions asked to compare hehe.
Thanks again all

 

[Jowelbg]

It looks like I'm a little late to this conversation, but we had Bunsen and Beaker in a an apartment for the last year and a half. They did great with no noise complaints. Of course, now we're in a house, and they DEFINITELY like the new window.

If you end up with a Senegal, you have to post a link to pictures back on this thread. We're all suckers for new bird pictures.

One more thing, punkindave mentioned the Caique swagger. It's truly an awe inspiring sight. The noble Caique will strut around your home like a pigeon toed Napoleon. It still makes me laugh every time I see it.

-Joel