How to Live with a Caique
Caiques are gaining popularity as pets because of their manageable size, beautiful colors and energetic, self-confident personalities. Caiques generally bond well with humans and have a reputation for enjoying playing with toys and lying on their back. However, they have a strong bite and may not be appropriate for young children. They also are very vocal and may not be appreciated in apartment settings. Their lifespan may be as long as 30 years.
What to Know About Your Caique
There are two separate species that are maintained in captivity: the black-headed parrot and the white-bellied parrot, both of which originate from the Amazon regions of South America. In the wild, caiques are generally canopy dwellers and tend to gather in groups (from 10 to 30 individuals ) in the tops of trees where they forage and play. The health disorders often seen in these species in captivity include obesity, fatty tumors, xanthomas, reproductive issues, and feather problems.
Is My Caique a Boy or Girl?
Neither the black-headed nor white-bellied caique species is sexually dimorphic; therefore laboratory or surgical means must be used to determine the sex.
How to Keep Your Caique Happy
Caiques tend to move more by walking, jumping, climbing or hopping rather than flying and are excellent climbers with very strong feet and legs. They are sometimes known as the clown of pet birds. Owners should provide environmental enrichment to keep them healthy and happy.