How to Care for a Caique?

Question

I need to know how to care for a caique. She was given to me by a friend who no longer had time to care for her. How big should the cage be? How many food/water dishes do I need? What do I line the bottom of the cage with? Any advice on caique care is appreciated. I don't know what I'm doing, but I just couldn't turn the bird away!

Answer 1

Research, research, research! Google as much as you can about Caiques. Even if that sounds simple, the point is to DO it. Here's caique care in a nutshell:

- They're very active birds and need lots of appropriately-sized chewable toys! There should be 2-3 at a time in the cage, and they need to be changed regularly so the bird doesn't get bored.

- Since they're so active, they also need a cage pretty big for their size--the minimum should be 2'x2'x2'.

- They need daily human interaction, at least one hour daily! This should include caressing, cuddling, and direct (one-on-one) talking

- The environment they live in should be bird-safe, this is very important. Search bird-safe on Wikipedia to find what that means.

If you're unable to care for your bird for whatever reason, go to http://www.avianwelfare.org to find the nearest parrot shelter. These guys do a great job of rehoming and caring for neglected, abandoned or abused birds. But any pet bird suffers from being rehomed, so I'd recommend it as a last resort.

Answer 2

A caique is really not a good bird if you have no idea what you're doing. They're fearless and will literally walk all over you if you don't establish some boundaries. Give them toys, give them as much out-of-cage time as you can manage (mine are never confined to the cage when I'm home).

I have three of the little buggers and I don't know how anyone could ever get rid of theirs once they get one.

Mine have a fairly large cage, with an open play top, and several bendy-perches in it, but they actually spend more time of it than in. I have food and water dishes both inside and outside the cage -- including one that sits on their playstand. I use big ones that lock onto the mounting brackets, too, because they'll pull them out and dump them otherwise.

I line the bottom of their cage with newspaper, and there's a grill that keeps them from getting onto the paper (otherwise, they'd rip it to shreds).

There are many caique-specific forums that are full of fellow caique owners who'll give you tons of advice and assistance.

One big word of caution about the way a caique plays -- they are VERY beaky -- they use their beaks like a third foot, so if you go to pick yours up and they reach out with their beak, DON'T flinch. They play using their entire bodies, too. Mine will hang upside down from my sleeve and beak-wrestle with each other.

Also, if yours gets onto your head and starts rubbing its body all over your hair, this is absolutely normal caique behavior -- it's called "hair surfing". They will actually "surf" other things. Mine do it to my clothes, damp towels, baby wipes -- anything. It's hilarious.

Answer 3

Hi --

Caiques can be very fun birds. They are energetic and curious and active.

Earlier advice on cage size is okay if you're going to have the bird out for a while every day -- which you should. Give the bird time to get used to you before expecting it to "step up" on you hand or arm. Try sitting near the cage and reading, now and then talk to the bird or read out loud -- if he seems curious and friendly, talk to him more and move closer. Talk to the bird any time you approach the cage, and especially when you have to touch the cage -- as when you change the food and water dishes.  

You need one water dish -- change water at least twice a day, more often if food or anything else ends up in it. One food dish is okay, but if you give your bird fresh fruits and veggies you might want a second one.

Food -- get the best quality you can find, and give a mix of pellets and seeds. Offer bits of fresh fruits and vegetables. A good way to get your bird to try new things is to eat some in front of him. Do NOT give your bird avocados, chocolate, or caffeine.

Newspaper is fine for the bottom of the cage -- much safer than most commercial alternatives.

Check at the library for Bird Talk magazine (which is much better than it used to be!) and parrot care books, and go online to look for more information -- companionparrot.com has articles from their back issues posted online; check links on parrot rescue/sanctuary sites like the Oasis and Gabriel Foundation to help you find good information online. (There is also a lot of bad info -- anyone who claims to solve bird problems in 20 minutes is not someone to trust.) So, be careful, and trust your feelings -- if what you're hearing sounds wrong to you, it probably is.

Parrots are kind of like kids -- they need attention, toys, and good food, and a safe comfortable space of their own. But do you know they also need sleep, at least 12 hours of sleeping/quiet time each day? Covering the cage at night can be helpful. Use an old beach towel or all-cotton fabric (in case he chews on it).

If the bird seems frightened in his new home (yours), try covering half the cage -- so he can hide if he wants to, or sit where he can look around.

If you leave a radio on for your bird when you're gone, set the volume very low -- birds hear much better than we do. Don't leave a TV on.