This bird is the 'clown' of companion birds. Caiques are loved for their outgoing nature and ability to make people laugh. The proper way to pronounce caique is 'kai-eke'.
They are known to be quiet compared to larger parrots, but they can emit a very piercing, high-pitched call. A fact that some folks don't know is caiques are not known for their talking ability but often learn to whistle tunes. So if you're looking for a bird that talks this isn't the pet bird for you!
- The Black-headed caique and the White-bellied caique.
- Caiques are medium-sized parrots with stocky bodies and short tails.
How do you care for caiques?
The caique parrot is a great pet for bird owners.
The caique is a medium-sized bird, and it needs a large environment like an aviary. A caique owner will need to keep this energetic bird busy and it will suffer if confined to a small cage.
A small aviary is the best habitat or at least provide your caique with the largest housing you can afford. This playful and high energy bird will discover the weaknesses in its cage so the construction must be stainless steel.
As with most species of parrot and species of caiques they thrive on a pelleted-base diet that is supplemented with fresh fruit and vegetables.
They must have a lot of bird toys and daily playtime.
How long do caiques live for?
They live 20 to 30 years so this bird is for someone willing to make a long term commitment.
Do caiques talk?
No! Yet the whistle tunes and they're nicknamed the 'dancing parrot' as they do an adorable hop like a wind-up toy. They prefer to speak to 'bird speak' and they can get loud.
What about health conditions?
Experts at Lafeber Company tell us these birds can get into trouble!
You must always monitor your caique as they have a tendency to play hard, a pet caique can find itself in a dangerous situation with their toys. Make sure your caique has bird-safe toys to play with and keep a close eye on your pet whenever it is out of the cage.
As far as health concerns, caiques might be more susceptible to polyomavirus, which results in gastroenteritis and also affect the bird's heart, liver, and kidney. You'll need a vet already lined up so you can bring your pet bird in for an exam after you bring them home.
There are other birds you can consider too like the Macaw, Parakeet, Cockatiel and African Grey.
Have you ever seen a Caique? Please leave us a comment below!
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