Caique (Personality, Care, Health, and Breeding) Avian Vet Reviewed

Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Ali Shahid

Meet the caiques, the entertaining clowns of the parrot world. These little feathered friends are playful, energetic, demanding, and intelligent, capturing the hearts of people worldwide. Their funny tricks and lively behavior make them a joy to be around. Often referred to as the “7 colored parrots,” caiques are not just amusing; they also flaunt a stunning and unique color pattern.

Despite not being renowned for their talking abilities, these tiny parrots make up for it with their vibrant personalities. Caiques may be small, but they exhibit the energy levels of larger parrots. While they can fly, they prefer to walk and climb, forming strong bonds with their owners. Their astonishing beauty, combined with a proper diet consisting of pellets, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, allows them to live up to 40 years, with an average lifespan of 26 years.

These charismatic birds have secured a special place in the homes and hearts of numerous bird enthusiasts. If you are considering adding a pair of birds to your family, caiques could be the perfect choice. However, it’s important to note that they can be loud and may not be ideal for beginners without prior bird-keeping experience.

History and Habitat of Caique

I have had the incredible experience of encountering caiques firsthand in the Amazon Basin of South America. These charming birds come in two types: the black-headed caique and the white-bellied caique. Both are medium-sized parrots with sturdy bodies and short tails. The white-bellied caique has three sub-species, known as “Green-thighed” White-belly, P. l. xanthomeria, and P. l. pallida.

Black-headed caiques inhabit areas north of the Amazon River, spanning Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, and Venezuela. On the other hand, white-bellied caiques are found south of the Amazon River in Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru.

One fascinating aspect is that these birds seem to stay within a specific range, and experts believe it’s because of their limited flying capabilities or a lack of inclination for long-distance flights. This behavior leads to a clear separation in the habitats of these two caique species.

In their natural habitat, caiques prefer the humid forest canopy, showcasing their impressive climbing skills. Instead of flying, they navigate through walking, climbing, jumping, and hopping. When observed in the wild, these parrots are often seen in pairs or small flocks of around thirty birds. Their diet primarily consists of fruit, flowers, and seeds.

The white-bellied caiques specifically inhabit terrestrial lowland tropical rainforests and terra firme forests, with a preference for varea forests prone to flooding and high humidity. During the breeding season, they reside in hollow trees about 30 meters above the forest floor, especially those bordering watercourses. Despite their specific habitat requirements, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that the wild population of caiques is not considered threatened.

Size and Coloration

Having spent considerable time with these charming birds, I can tell you that caiques are fantastic little parrots celebrated for their lively colors. Picture an adult caique, standing at a modest nine to ten inches tall and weighing in at around 145 to 180 grams. What makes them stand out are their distinctive color patterns, almost like blocks of different hues.

From head to toe, caiques showcase a variety of colors, earning them the nickname “seven-colored parrot.” The black-headed caiques, in particular, sport predominantly blackheads complemented by orange or yellow cheeks and a striking green streak beneath their eyes.

Their wings and upper tail feathers boast a beautiful mix of green, while their thighs and underwing feathers pop in bright yellow. The abdomen takes on a beige-white tone, and their legs and beaks adopt a cool gray shade. It’s no wonder they’re often referred to as the seven-color parrot.

Now, let’s talk about their white-bellied counterparts. Varieties like the yellow-thighed and yellow-tailed caiques are gaining popularity. In captivity, both species flaunt white bellies, but in the wild, their bellies tend to get a bit dirty. Why? Well, these little guys have a quirky eating habit of sipping fruit juices and munching on the surrounding dirt.

One interesting fact about caiques is that they are monomorphic, meaning you can’t visually tell if one is a male or female just by looking at them. Males and females look identical, keeping us on our toes when trying to figure out who’s who in the caique world.

Behavior and Personality

Having spent considerable time with caiques, I can attest to the special connection they form with humans. These birds thrive on attention and genuinely enjoy spending time with their human companions, whether it is through play or just sitting together. If you are in search of a new best friend, caiques might be the perfect match.

Renowned as the “dancing parrots,” they love to showcase their playful side and are quick learners, effortlessly picking up fun tricks. Their endearing personalities shine through as they engage in unique behaviors like play-fighting, often referred to as “wrestling.”

Caiques, known for their clumsiness in flight compared to other birds, prefer alternative modes of transportation such as walking, jumping, climbing, or even hitching a ride on other animals. Their exceptional climbing skills are attributed to their robust feet and legs. In the wild, they exhibit intriguing movements like “surfing,” rubbing against soft items, and “hopping” when excited or needing a swift mode of travel.

These playful and comical birds have an insatiable curiosity and energy, making them one of the most active parrots. However, it is crucial to understand that, while they can be affectionate, caiques are not recommended for beginners. From my firsthand experiences, I have witnessed instances where owners struggle with their caiques’ behavior.

Handling their high energy levels requires significant time, patience, and perseverance. If you’re not prepared for these responsibilities, it might be wise to consider beginner-friendly parrots like lovebirds or budgies.

In my clinic, I have encountered numerous cases where caique owners faced challenges due to their pet’s dominant nature. It’s essential to note that caiques do well as solitary pets or in pairs, but caution should be exercised when housing them with other bird species, as they can exhibit aggression and deliver surprisingly sharp bites.

Speech and Sound

The caiques I have observed aren’t the talkative kind, but they mimic sounds and calls well. While they may not be winning any awards for their conversational skills, these lively and energetic birds have a unique way of expressing themselves through natural calls.

It is been my experience that, unlike some parrot species that can imitate human speech, caiques prefer to mimic sounds and calls in a charmingly “birdy” manner. Get ready to appreciate the tunes of their whistles, songs, and the various environmental sounds they manage to imitate.

Despite the potential for getting a bit noisy, caiques are generally known for maintaining a moderate noise level, offering more soothing sounds compared to some of their louder parrot counterparts. Every now and then, they might unleash calls that are quite high-pitched and shrill.

So, if you are thinking about bringing a caique into your life, it’s essential to ensure that their noise level and vocal abilities align with what you’re comfortable with.

While they might not rival African Grey parrots in terms of cognitive language abilities, my firsthand experience with caiques has shown that they compensate with their lively nature and the knack for mimicking various sounds, providing a unique form of entertainment.

How to Care for Caique?

Taking care of caiques is a lively and heartwarming experience, and I speak from personal knowledge. These birds are full of energy and love to play, and to ensure their well-being, there are some important things to keep in mind.

Firstly, when it comes to their living space, caiques need room to spread their wings. I’ve found that confining them to a small cage isn’t ideal. A more spacious cage or even a small aviary works wonders. It’s crucial to have the right bar spacing and a grating at the bottom for cleanliness. Based on my own experience, a cage that’s at least 2 feet long and 2 feet wide by 3 feet tall is a good starting point, with bars spaced no more than 3/4 inches wide.

Now, onto their diet. In the wild, caiques munch on seeds, berries, and fruit. As a caregiver, I’ve discovered that a high-quality extruded pellet forms the basis of their diet, supplemented by fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans. Clean, fresh water is a must at all times. I have found that leafy greens like Swiss chard and kale, paired with a bit of fresh fruit, make a nutritious meal. While a sprinkle of chia seeds is okay, an all-seed diet doesn’t cut it for their vitamin and mineral needs.

When it comes to mealtime, I’ve established a routine. In the morning, I offer half a cup of parrot pellets and a half cup of fruit and vegetable salad. Adjusting the portion based on their appetite is key, and a second feeding before bedtime is an option if they finish everything. I’ve learned to toss out any uneaten fresh foods by the end of the day and keep an eye on their weight.

Playtime is a vital aspect of caring for caiques. I can’t stress enough the importance of spending quality time with them. These affectionate birds need at least an hour outside the cage each day for exercise and supervised exploration in a bird-safe room.

Toys play a significant role in keeping caiques happy. They have a knack for being picky about their playthings, but discovering their favorite toys is worth the effort. These toys not only entertain them but also help wear down their beaks.

Finally, attention and affection are non-negotiable. Caiques seek out about two hours of attention daily and form strong bonds with their human companions. It’s a delightful journey, and I can attest to the joy these playful birds bring into a household.

Breeding Caique

I’ve had firsthand experience observing the reproductive habits of white-bellied caiques, and it’s fascinating how their behavior is influenced by both their environment and the time of the year. Typically, in the wild, these charming birds engage in mating activities from October to April. However, from my own encounters with domesticated caiques, I’ve found that they tend to mate between January and June.

Although caiques are generally monogamous, their mating behavior lacks specific rituals. Yet, when paired, they show affection by grooming and caring for each other before the actual mating occurs. During the mating season, which happens almost daily, and sometimes more than once a day, female caiques lay eggs within 48 hours of mating.

In their natural habitat, a female caique lays about three eggs in a clutch and diligently incubates them for a period of 26 days. Interestingly, the male’s role shifts to providing nourishment for the female and the young ones without contributing to the incubation process. On the other hand, when white-bellied caiques are kept in domestic settings, they become prolific breeders, and a female may lay up to six eggs in a clutch.

One noticeable sign that a caique is about to lay eggs is the swelling of its belly. It’s quite amusing to witness pregnant caiques going about their playful antics with their enlarged bellies. Typically, their bellies start swelling about a week before they begin the egg-laying process.

Exercise and Out-of-Cage Requirements

To keep them in good spirits, giving them some workout and keeping their minds engaged is crucial. Experts in bird care, the avian vets, suggest dedicating 2-4 hours each day to activities outside their cage. This involves activities like supervised flying, walking, climbing, and playing with toys.

On a personal note, I’ve found that engaging in these activities keeps them physically fit and brings out their playful nature. In my experience, it’s not just about physical exercise; mental stimulation is equally important. Training sessions, interactive toys, and social interaction all contribute to a caique’s mental well-being.

Creating a clean, warm, and mentally stimulating environment is crucial for their overall health. Having a spacious cage is key. Inside the cage, multiple perches set at different levels and angles provide the variety these lively birds crave. I’ve noticed that this setup caters to their active nature and keeps them content.

Health Issues of Caique

In my own experience with caiques, I’ve found that they’re generally robust. However, like all living creatures, they can encounter specific health challenges. One significant concern is the polyomavirus, a severe virus that can cause serious issues in the intestines and affect vital organs like the heart, liver, and kidneys.

Based on what I’ve learned firsthand, I strongly recommend getting caiques vaccinated early on and giving them a yearly booster, especially if they mingle with other birds. Additionally, from personal interactions with caiques, it’s important to be aware that they may be susceptible to respiratory problems, such as viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Taking preventive actions and staying vigilant about their well-being is essential to keep these lively birds in good health.

From Where to Buy Caique

Based on my personal experience in acquiring caiques, there are several options for purchasing these birds. Bird classifieds websites like Birds Now, Hookbills For Sale, and Worldwide Exotic Parrots Farm are good places to explore.

Additionally, specialized breeders such as Shady Pines Aviary focus on breeding Black-headed and White-bellied Caiques. Regarding pricing, Caiques can range from $1000 to $2000, with variations based on factors like age, gender, and tameness.

The higher prices are influenced by the limited availability of these birds and the growing demand. To ensure you get a healthy and well-cared-for bird, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research and choose a reputable breeder or seller.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-about-caiques

https://www.dmvet.net/site/blog/2022/10/26/all-you-need-to-know-about-a-caique