Heather's
Feathers
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The black-headed caique is a fun loving, athletic parrot, with an average live span of 30-40 years. They have a chunky build, thickly muscled and strong dexterous feet which they use for manipulating toys and food. They are very agile, love to run and hop, usually preferring not to fly. They are also extremely fond of hanging upside down and swinging from hanging toys while flapping their wings. They enjoy toys of all sorts and are very persistent when they see something they want. Caiques can range from 7-9 inches in height and range in weight from 135-190 grams. They do not tend to obesity despite their voracious appetite as their activity level is high. They just never seem to stop playing.
Noses are good handles Caiques love Fuzzy things! Cailin hanging out They enjoy a diet consisting of fresh fruits and vegetables, a high quality seed mix, fresh sprouts and various table foods, including pastas, breads, mashed potatoes, cooked chicken, cooked rice and beans. They have a sweet tooth and prefer sweet fruits and vegetables, but burn the calories off quickly with their high activity level.
Caiques can vocalize at a high pitch, but are not noted for excessive
screaming. They do scream when frightened or growl and squeal when angered.
Caiques are capable of a hard bite, so training is of the essence to maintain
a gentle relationship with caiques. Caiques also can have sudden mood
shifts and close attention to their mood during handling is a must. They do
advertise a changed or heightened state of excitement with flashing or pinned
eyes showing bright red, orange or yellow irises, fluffed head feathers, a cocky
march towards the object of intent and out held wings. Caiques also love cuddling, scratches and gentle caresses of their head feathers and chest, especially the cheeks. A properly socialized and consistently trained caique can be a loving and predictable companion, ever ready to play and roughhouse, eat and cuddle as the mood takes them. Caiques love to eat, and then to play. Anything and everything becomes a toy, even a caique's own leg is a great wrestling partner. Caiques love to play on their backs, swing from swings or anything hanging, including braids and ponytails.  Caiques have a small ability to talk, and some can talk very clearly, but are
not known for their talking ability. We have an adult male who says very clearly "Pretty
Baby" when he is excited. When introduced to his future mate Duchess Leonie, he
repeated over and over, "Pretty Pretty Baby, Baby! Baby!" She was not
impressed but we were!
Cailin has learned to mimic all the other birds in the house, and does a very good conure, hahn's macaw or amazon. He is also mastering "Pretty Baby"!
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Send mail to Heather@Heathersfeathers.net with
questions, requests or comments about this web site.
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Caiques require a larger cage than other birds their size, and we recommend
no smaller than 3/4 inch bar spacing, which must be sturdy, non toxic and resistant
to rust, as caiques love water and will often soak their food and bathe in their
water bowls. They love to bathe and must be given facilities to bathe very
frequently, even daily. The cage must be tall so that toys and swings may be added for the
caique to swing on, wide so there is hopping area and filled with toys, yet have
room for romping. 
