Anyone have caiques?

[ChristineR]

We have a black headed caique who's about 13 months old. She is hilarious, a little tyrant, and we love her to death.

We were thinking about getting another caique for company for her during the day while we're gone (and for the entertainment of watching them play). When we got her, we were told that caiques are one of the few parrots who will bond to another bird and their people, too. The guy at the bird shop had multiple caiques and was a trainer and rehabber. I still hesitate to add another one to the mix, as I'm afraid to ruin a good thing.

Anyone else have experience with this? Thoughts?

 

[gpop1]

We have a black headed caique who's about 13 months old. She is hilarious, a little tyrant, and we love her to death.

We were thinking about getting another caique for company for her during the day while we're gone (and for the entertainment of watching them play). When we got her, we were told that caiques are one of the few parrots who will bond to another bird and their people, too. The guy at the bird shop had multiple caiques and was a trainer and rehabber. I still hesitate to add another one to the mix, as I'm afraid to ruin a good thing.

Anyone else have experience with this? Thoughts?

I can understand why you are hesitate. Im sure something would change at least in the short term as the new bird would have to except you while your bird would have to except sharing. After they bond things might settle down.
My concern would be if the new caique wouldn't bond with you so your original caique may spend less time with you.

 

[theoldchick]

Caiques are funny creatures who can adapt to being an only bird. I had one when I was 12 years old. My mother got him when the owner died and "Happy" was also an old timer who was set in his ways. Happy was blind and required no special handling. His owner had made him a tiny little 'home' in his cage that served as his perch. I made sure his food and water were always in the same place. Of course Happy was cautious about me but I persisted and he warmed up to me. He was a treasure and I had him for a few years before his age caught up with him.

When having any parrot one must remember bonding to several birds is not natural for them. Pet birds have a tendency to like one person/bird/dog/cat/ and so forth. They can be territorial over their mate, toys and cage. If you truly enjoy your one-on-one relation ship with your bird-don't buy another. But if you find yourself too busy to give your bird the time he needs, buy another with the knowledge that you may lose that special spark you are now enjoying.

Yes...trainers do have pairs but these people have extensive knowledge on parrot behavior. Trainers know how to read birdy body language and how to avoid aggression. They know when to avoid any interaction with the bird as the larger ones can do serious damage. In other words they know when to leave the bird alone.

Owning birds are fun but you must be aware they are not designed to be family pets once they are sexually mature. Yes, you can train a bird to behave a certain way but you can't make them behave one hundred percent of the time. Most experience parrot owners dread breeding season as their normally loving pet will become a devil as hormones rage-it's like having a feathered teenager in your home!

Good luck with your decision,