CAIQUES
Is a Caique a Good Pet?
Caique parrots can make great pets and will keep you entertained for years. They are wonderful to look at and do not get very big so they do not require a large cage.
Caiques are generally referred to as clowns of pet birds for quite a real reason. This is because they are very energetic, playful, and generally colorful.
These birds are attention-seekers. They love to dance and hop and enjoy showing off. They are also affectionate and like to play, and at times, they don’t mind spending some peaceful time with their humans.
Another reason they make such good pets is that they can live for 25-30. With a high life expectancy, these birds will bring joy to your life for a long time.
Caiques come in two different species, namely:
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White-bellied Caique
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Black-headed Caique
Most bird owners keep both species as pets. Apart from the color, the white-bellied and the black-headed parrot features an almost identical appearance.
Both species measure about 223 to 254mm long. In addition to that, the mixture of their color is yellow, green, white, and orange.
WHITE BELLIED CAIQUE
BLACK HEADED CAIQUE
Is a Caique the Right Pet for Me?
Caiques are small, vibrant parrots known for their playful personalities, boundless energy, and clownish antics. Native to the rainforests of South America, these lively birds are often called the "Clowns of the parrot world" because of their entertaining and mischievous nature. While they can make wonderful companions, Caiques are not low-maintenance pets and require a significant commitment in time, attention, and enrichment. This guide provides an in-depth look at what it takes to care for a Caique and helps you decide if this energetic and spirited bird is the right pet for you.
Overview: Caiques in the Wild
Caiques are native to the Amazon Basin, where they live in flocks and spend their days foraging, playing, and exploring their environment. In the wild, these birds constantly move, climb through trees, hop along branches, and interact socially with other flock members. They roost in tree cavities high in the canopy, as they do not naturally sleep on perches and require a sleeping box for security and safety.
Their natural behaviour is highly active and social, directly informing their captivity needs. To replicate their wild environment, pet Caiques need numerous opportunities for physical activity, mental stimulation, and social interaction. Providing toys, foraging opportunities, and daily out-of-cage time can help satisfy their innate need for exploration and play.
Size and Lifespan of a Caique
Caiques are small to medium-sized parrots, measuring about 223 to 254mm long and weighing between 150 and 170 grams. Despite their compact size, they have a sturdy build and a vibrant personality. Caiques can live 25 to 30 years in captivity with proper care, making them a long-term commitment for any prospective owner.
Socialisation Needs and Time Commitment
Caiques are highly social birds that thrive on interaction with their owners and other birds. They strongly need companionship and thrive when actively engaged in their environment.
Need for Companionship
Caiques can be kept as single pets, but they often enjoy the company of another bird, especially another Caique. Introducing a new bird must be done with caution and supervision since Caiques can be territorial and may not get along with all other birds. They are known for their boldness and can sometimes be aggressive towards different species.
Time Commitment
Caiques require a significant amount of daily time and interaction. They need at least 3 to 4 hours of out-of-cage time, during which they should be supervised, as their inquisitive nature often leads them into mischief. They are playful and love engaging in games, training, and exploring their surroundings.
Being Left Alone
Caiques do not tolerate being left alone for long periods. They can quickly develop behavioural problems if their social needs are unmet, potentially becoming bored, destructive, or aggressive. Like most parrots, Caiques can develop separation anxiety, which may manifest as excessive screaming, feather plucking, or other stress-related behaviours. Suppose you have a busy lifestyle or are often away from home. In that case, a Caique may not be the best choice unless you can provide ample companionship and stimulation in your absence.
How Noisy Are Caiques?
Caiques are not the loudest parrots, but they are not quiet. They have a range of vocalisations, including whistles, chirps, and squawks, and they are persistent when seeking attention. While their calls are not as piercing as larger parrots, they can still be disruptive, especially in small or shared living spaces.
Vocal Playfulness
Caiques often vocalise when playing, exploring, or seeking interaction. They are known for their happy, chattering sounds and can mimic some noises, though they are not as prolific talkers as other parrot species.
Intelligence and Enrichment Needs
Caiques are highly intelligent birds that require a stimulating environment to stay happy. They are curious, playful, and love to explore, so they require constant mental and physical stimulation.
Enrichment Requirements
Caiques thrive on engaging toys, such as foraging toys, puzzles, and interactive play items. They enjoy shredding, climbing, and manipulating anything they can get their beaks on. Rotating their toys regularly is essential to keep them engaged.
- **Training and Interaction: ** Positive reinforcement training is beneficial and necessary for Caiques. They are quick learners and enjoy the mental challenge of acquiring new tricks, games, and commands. Training helps channel their energy into positive behaviours and strengthens the bond between the bird and the owner.
Dietary Needs of Caiques
Caiques require a varied and balanced diet to maintain good health. In the wild, they forage for various foods, including fruits, seeds, flowers, and insects. In captivity, their diet should reflect this natural variety.
- **Daily Fresh Food: ** A balanced diet for a Caique includes a high-quality seed mix, fresh vegetables, fruits, sprouted grains, legumes, and occasional nuts as treats. Offering a variety of foods is essential to keep their diet interesting and nutritionally complete.
Pellets that contain soy should be avoided, as most brands do, except for one or two. Soy contains a compound that mimics estrogen, disrupting the endocrine system and potentially leading to various hormone-related issues. Based on our experience, we feed a natural diet daily, and our birds have not experienced hormone-related problems as a result.
Consider researching the known effects of soy on birds and mammals; surprisingly, reputable pellet manufacturers include it in their products. The primary reason is cost, as soy is inexpensive.
In vitro studies suggest that isoflavones in soy inhibit the synthesis of oestradiol and other steroid hormones. These compounds have been linked to reproductive issues, infertility, thyroid problems, and liver disease in various animal species, including mice, cheetahs, quail, pigs, rats, sturgeon, and sheep. Additionally, soy foods can inhibit calcium absorption and may contribute to vitamin D deficiencies, among other health concerns.
Diet Considerations
Avoid Fatty and Sugary Foods: Caiques are prone to obesity if fed an unhealthy diet; they do best on a varied natural diet, which includes sprouted beans (such as mung, lentil, and adzuki), corn, wheat, barley, oats, sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and more. We also provide fresh or frozen vegetables like carrots, peas, corn, beetroots, various greens, and fruits like apples. Our birds receive high-quality seeds throughout the year; none have been exposed to commercial pellets. They remain healthy and thrive on this diet.
Wing Clipping
Wing clipping restricts a bird's natural behaviour and can negatively impact its physical and mental well-being. Being active and playful, Caiques greatly benefit from being fully flighted and able to explore their environment. If restricted, Caiques are prone to obesity.
Alternatives to Clipping
Train your Caique to fly safely indoors or in a secure environment instead of clipping. Providing flight training and safe spaces encourages natural exercise and helps build confidence.
Exercise and Natural Behaviour
Allowing your Caique to fly keeps them physically fit, supports their natural instincts, and reduces behavioural issues.
Caique Temperament
Caiques are bold, energetic, and often described as the clowns of the parrot world. They are constantly active, love to play, and have a mischievous streak that can be both endearing and challenging. While affectionate, Caiques can also be stubborn and territorial, especially during hormonal periods. They thrive on activity, constantly hopping, climbing, and exploring their surroundings. Highly interactive, they enjoy engaging in games, training, and social activities.
Although Caiques are affectionate and enjoy human interaction, they are also independent and can entertain themselves if given an engaging environment. However, they are not suited to being ignored or left without social interaction for extended periods.
Ideal Owners for a Caique
Caiques are best suited for individuals or families with the time, patience, and energy to keep up with their lively and sometimes demanding personalities; they are like kids with too much red cordial and hyperactive. They are ideally suited for experienced bird owners who appreciate an active, playful pet and are prepared to meet a highly intelligent parrot's social and enrichment needs.
To Check For Availability
CAIQUES
babies we have in our nursery at the moment
At present, we are hand-raising baby White bellied Caiques
They will be available once they are fully weaned and socialised with other birds.
They will be either DNA sexed and come with a hatch certificate and a care booklet. They are hand-raised from Hatch or around 10 days old to approximately 16 weeks, when they are fully weaned. Weaned onto a diet that includes fresh fruits and greens, freshly sprouted seeds, and a good-quality small parrot mix sourced from Australia.
Weaning
In the wild, weaning occurs well after fledging, which is a crucial period for the development of cognitive skills. Unfortunately, many breeders in captivity wean birds at the time of fledging. When birds fledge, they typically lose about 10% of their body weight and may refuse food for a few days as they learn to fly. Some breeders misinterpret this behaviour as a sign that the birds are ready to be weaned and abruptly stop formula feeding. This practice is known as "crash" or "abrupt" weaning. However, most birds will usually return to eating after a few days, having lost that initial 10% of body weight.
We recommend and practice the natural approach to weaning, known as "abundance" weaning. In this method, a formula is offered to birds for a few weeks or even months after they have fledged, especially for larger species. This approach allows birds to spend time in a crèche, where they can learn proper bird behaviour from other chicks they are raised alongside.
The advantages of this method are discussed in our Article section under Behaviour, titled “The Human-Bird Bond and Its Impact on Companion Bird Behaviour.” We cannot emphasise enough the lifelong positive effects that abundance weaning and an extended crèche period can have on the mental health of our companion parrots.