Bird Guide

CAIQUES

Caiques range from the Amazon basin and the northern areas of South America. They are not a big bird at 9 to 10 inches in length.

They have shrill voices and their displaying can be extremely exaggerated when compared to other species of birds. Displaying includes eye dilation, body swaying, and the opening and vibrating of their wings. This vibrating is so fast that it's blurred.

Poor fliers, they prefer to climb and jump through the trees and bushes in the forest. These birds are truly delightful. They have above-average intelligence and are entertaining. Unfortunately, they can also be rather stubborn, tenacious, and headstrong. They also are fearless. So, make sure you get a handfed baby and that everyone in the family handles it. Parent-raised babies are harder to tame and they can bite very hard. They are extremely energetic and very curious. This combination along with their high intelligence tends to get them into more than their share of mischief.

Caiques love to hide. They will go to bed under the papers of their cage or in a nestbox. Providing them with a hanging bed will bring great joy to them. They also enjoy playing on their backs. Give them a little whiffle ball to play with and watch them roll on their backs juggling the ball in the air.

While excellent pets, they can sometimes be nippy and need to be trained to nibble on other things beside "finger food". Give them some toys to chew on and they will most likely leave your fingers alone. These birds, like many other species, require lots of wood to chew. The black-headed and the white-bellied are the most popular species of Caiques.

Interesting facts: 1) Caiques have an interesting way of getting around. They love to jump when they walk. 2) In the wild, Caiques do not have white bellies. The white is a product of captivity. Wild Caiques rub against juicy plants and barks to give the white a rusty brown color instead.