Black-headed Caique
High-energy, playful, and often described as a little acrobat. Black-headed Caique thrives with daily active play, training, and lots of safe enrichment.
size
Small to Medium
energy
High
noise
Medium
lifespan
25 to 35 years
socialNeeds
High
messLevel
High
trainability
High
talking
Sometimes
aloneTimeTolerance
Low
space
Medium to large cage plus daily out time
Best for
- People who want a very playful, active bird
- Owners who enjoy training and interactive play
- Homes that can bird-proof for safe out time
- Owners comfortable managing high energy
Not ideal for
- People who want a calm lap bird
- Very busy schedules with long stretches of alone time
- Homes that need very quiet pets
- Anyone not comfortable with routine cleaning
Temperament
- Very playful and active
- Seeks interaction and stimulation
- Can be nippy when overstimulated
- Thrives with structured play and training
Daily routine
diet: Fresh water daily. Quality pellets plus vegetables, with treats used in moderation.
enrichment: Rotate toys, add foraging opportunities, and use short training sessions for mental work.
outOfCageTime: Aim for supervised out-of-cage time most days once the environment is safe.
cleaning: Spot-clean daily, deeper clean weekly (liners, perches, and food bowls).
Living fit
apartment: Possible if you can manage noise and keep a stable routine.
family: Can work with gentle, supervised handling and consistent routines.
firstTimeOwner: Challenging. Better for owners ready for high energy and daily training.
Health notes
- Birds hide illness. Watch for fluffed feathers, low appetite, changes in droppings, or reduced activity.
- Maintain bird-safe air quality. Avoid PTFE/Teflon fumes, smoke, aerosols, and scented candles.
- Find an avian vet for baseline checks and advice on diet and environment.
Cost and time
time: High. Needs daily active play, training, and enrichment.
cost: Moderate to high. Budget for toys, safe cage setup, and avian vet care.
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