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Hi Everybody!
I'm brand new here, but I've been reading everyone's posts and would really appreciate any feedback anyone has time for.

I've been researching Caiques for nearly a year and a half, trying to make absolutely sure one would be right for our home. So far, I still feel it's what I want (I really can't deny how amazing they are!) but I still have questions that only veteran owners would know.

One of my main concerns is that we have a lovebird. He was adopted 2 years ago not tame and has made huge stides. He's now a cuddley little beast. But I worry that a new caique and the lovebird would not get along. My feeling is that even if they were at odds at first, they would eventually be okay together. I guess I'm just hoping someone else on here has both species and has seen how they interact.

I'm looking at cage sizes around 24 x 22 x 60, and 28 x 20 x 60. Is this pretty standard? I feel like 24" wide isn't wide enough. But I have no idea. And deciding between playtop or dome top is beyond me!

My other main question is about males/females in terms of adolescent behavior. With everything I've read about different species, they all seem to have 1, either male or female that when they mature into adulthood they can turn nippy and moodswingy/aggressive. I haven't yet found which is worse in caiques. (One breeder I called said males can have that reputation, but it's really not true, and that people simply own more males and therefore more males are nippy) Does this sound familiar to anyone else?

Sorry this is so long, I really do appreciate any feedback. Thanks so much.

Hi I'm not veteran, but have asked the vets all of the questions you have.
You should go with a bigger cage, atleast 32x24x30 try AA www.avianadventures.com and check out the mediana. Playtops and dometops depend on preference, maybe how long birdie is in cage. My bird will be in there 8ish hours so i'm getting a dometop but the nice thing about mediana playtops is they are movable. i know people who have taken the top off to replace it with plexiglass.
supposedly wb males are calmer but many will tell you, it really depends on the individual bird. So if you want a calm one, go ask the breeder, but for caiques calm is not really true! lol
Have you decided on a breeder? Tammy at www.djfeathers.com and Gloria at www.shadypines.com are some of the best and highly recommended. Also the caique list is a great place to ask questions http://groups.google.com/group/Caiques?hl=en
This is gonna be my first bird. Good job for researching caiques before you buy. I reasearched two years and will be getting one in june.
I was thinking pionus or green cheek but after seeing caiques in a bird store, i fell in love, was tyold they are not for beginners, but some nice people told me as long as you want the bird, have done all you can before it gets home, you will do great.
Best of luck on your search! Lauren

Hi and welcome to the list!

I don't have a lovebird, but I care for one for a friend, off and on throughout the year. I would say to not expect the two to get along, even 'eventually'. While the caique still being a baby may accept the lovie, it's unlikely the lovie will ever accept the caique. I have 4 different species and none of them interact. I expected that they would not when I acquired each of them, so nothing has been a surprise.
On top of that, you will have to be sure the lovie knows it's the 'alpha' bird with most everything you do with it.
I would stronly suggest a minimum width of 34 in a cage so perches can be added to facilitate the bird being able to hop between several. You also need room as caiques are play monkeys and need a minimum of 5 toys in their cages. That's hard to accomplish without the proper cage width. I prefer the 'flat top' as I like to put toys and playthings on the top of the cage if the birds wants to play up there. I never use the tray that goes under the playgym. I never even assemble the playgym but that's a personal preference.
Bar spacing should not exceed 1" and 7/8 is best. You can try centurioncages.com as I think their prices are good and the cages are quality.
Birds are what YOU make them and I don't think males are any more docile or aggressive than females. It depends on the bird. I prefer the males as their spring hormones are easier to deal with and they're not into making nests and being broody.

Congratulations on doing your research and let us know how things go!
Andrea

hi,

my lovebird was 1 year old when i got my caique. altho, they kinda tolerated each other i would never let them alone together. it just wasn't worth the risk. many people have birds that don't get along, yet on the other hand i've seen pictures of a caique and lovebird snuggling together..but that's probably an exception rather than the rule.

i also took about 8 mos. researching before getting my wb male caique. he's 9 mos old now and i don't regret getting him for one moment! i also looked at the pinous too.

my cage is a pretty good size because i do have it filled with toys..hanging and floor toys.

good luck..

Thanks so much to everyone. I definately am thinking of getting a cage that is atleast 32" wide. I'm having a little more trouble finding one, (I live in Canada) but there are a few websites, and I've found a couple of really great breeders.

Does anyone know why there seems to be such a large price gap for caiques? Some breeders I've been speaking to have birds for 700 - 900, whereas others are 1800. I'm curious as to why, and does it mean if the bird is cheaper that something is wrong?

I really appreciate all the feedback. I'm sure I'll have lots of other questions. I'm glad for the warning too that they might never get along- I guess if I plan for that I won't be dissappointed.

The first price you mentioned should be enough to get you a male or female BHC or male Wb.. Mant breeders want more for the female WB's but 1800 just seems like its way out of line. Mabe the Green Thighs might be that much but Ive really never priced 'em.

Congrats on your choioce of a companion bird. Getting a Caique is one of the best decisions you can make (IMHO). . Cisco is such a joy and he lives life to the fullest.

Freddy

i agree with freddy..$1800 is alot! i paid $1200 for bailey my male wbc.
but that included shots. but as i mentioned before, i'm so happy to have him, he brings such joy to my life with his antics and personality. they truly are the "clowns" of the parrot world!

Welcome! just a couple comments:

The wider cage is a good idea. Caiques will use every inch in width but not necessarily in height.

We have a 4 year old male WBC and a 2 year old female WBC. I don't think one is more aggressive than the other, both get a bit nippy especially in the spring if you do things which provoke it, like clean. Their individual personalities are so different it is hard to compare, but I don't think the difference is due to gender. There are a few behavioral differences that might be gender related. Our little girl has done the "hurt wing" act since she was a baby. The boy has never done it. He shears a brood patch on his lower belly later in the spring. This was very pronounced when he was 2 and 3 and he is just starting this year. This is the first year our girl is an adolescent and she has chewed off most of her leg, belly and back feathers. We don't know if it just nervousness and spring time or some other issue. But she seems to be re-feathering now on the second round of antibiotics and lots of chew toys and cuddles from us.

Good luck and keep us posted!

You shouldn't pay any more than $950.00 for ANY caique from ANYONE. (And that is the very top end!) Don't think because the price is higher or lower that you're getting more or less. All you're doing is padding someone's wallet because they know you may not know the 'going' price. Any bird who comes from a certified, reputable breeder should be healthy, fully weaned, fledged, and very social. (and should NEVER cost $1800.00) no matter where you live.

Wow. Thanks for your letting me know. I was a little confused that it was so much. I don't really know what to do now though, both breeders that I have been in contact with that have babies now are asking 1700, and 1800. (They both seemed quite respectable and sincere about their babies.) I have found babies in the states for around 900, but I haven't found anyone in the US who will ship to Canada, so this is a bit of a problem.

I wouldn't mind at all getting one shipped from the states, if anyone happens to know a breeder who can ship here. I guess I'll keep looking then. It's really a shame, I've seen videos of one lady with her new babies and they look really fantastic.

Thanks again everyone.

Are you sure the price difference isn't just the difference in US dollars to Canadian? I could certainly be wrong, but I thought the fear of avian flu shut down all easy flow of birds across national borders. Are you finding indications that any US breeders are shipping ANY birds into Canada? I hope I'm wrong, for your sake. Tammy at DJ Feathers is the BEST! Gloria's a VERY close runner-up

Hi,

I live in Canada (on the West Coast) and I had a baby shipped from the East Coast. Here is the link:

http://www.parrotscanada.com/

I was very happy with the breeder and Jamie is just great (she is now 4 years old; BHC). I had a recommendation from someone else who dealt with them and that person was also very happy with her caique. I think the caiques (BHC) are about $850. Jamie was definitely well socialized; she was relaxed and happy from the 1st day at home.

By the way, it is nearly impossible to get a parrot from the States because of the many regualtions, quarantine etc.


Kate

I'm paying 900 for my wb but with shipping and gas prices going up, crate charges, it will be 1024, but polyoma vaccines and dna sexing are included in that price so it's a good price. Pet store birds I've seen the caiques for sale for 1500 for wb and 1300 for bh. See if you can find a breeder close to the boder and maybe you can pick it up as long as it has papers and such. 1800 seems extremely high. But is this canadian dollars? I've heard wb's are more expensive cause they were imported in less numbers, but i've heard they breed less readily than bh. Do you plan to get wb or bh?

Hey and everyone, do you mean 32 inches wide or long or deep? I've heard 24 is ok for caiques.

I don't think it's due to the dollar exchange. Our dollars are virtually on par right now. I have no idea why, but 1800 has been the standard I've seen for Canadian breeders for WB. There was a WB at a pet store here in the city (which I wouldn't consider anyway) for 2699 if I remember right.

It's totally crazy, I know. I am aiming to get a WB. I guess if I were trying for a BH I'd be better off, I have found them for a better price, 750 - 900.

Neither of the 2 breeders I had zeroed in on give their birds a polyoma vaccine. One woman said it was because the shot was $200and she didn't feel it was necessary. The other woman told me her breeding pair had been vaccinated when she got them, and no other birds ever come into her home, and her birds are only sent away, there is no outside contact. Does this seem reasonable to anyone else? It made sense to me, but I'm still learning.

As for the cage, I meant 32 wide.

I have an Avian Adventures' Mediana and it is not too large! My little monster uses every bit of it. They definately need a wider cage than taller although Yankee sure loves to swing on his rings. Good luck! The more time and preparation that you put in now, the better adjustment you will both have.

I made a mistake and bought a cage that was not quality or large enough and wasted my money before I got the AA.