How to Buy a Caique in the United States | PetzLover

What is a caique, and which species are sold as pets?

Caiques are small, stocky South American parrots of the genus Pionites. Merck lists two pet species, the black-headed and the white-bellied (also called yellow-thighed), and World Parrot Trust profiles show how to tell them apart.

Young birds differ from adults: the World Parrot Trust says juveniles of both species have yellow flecks on the white belly and brown eyes, and young white-bellied caiques have dark feathers in the apricot cap. Ask whether both parents are the same species; if the seller cannot say, treat the label as a guess.

What are caiques like as pets: playful, nippy or both?

PetMD calls caiques the clowns of the parrot world, very mischievous and interactive, with a huge amount of energy, and Merck notes that they actually hop. The same energy shows in their beaks. A Chewy article quotes keepers who say caiques can be strong biters, that proper socialization should prevent problems and that much lunge biting comes from excitement; another calls them very smart and willful.

• Noise: the World Parrot Trust describes the black-headed caique as very vocal, with loud shrieks, and Chewy calls the caique scream a repetitive, nagging sound.
• Talking: Merck says some talk a little and most males whistle well. Do not buy a caique for speech.
• Bathing: Chewy says caiques love to leaf bathe, and the World Parrot Trust suggests overhead misters or shallow water bowls.
• Cage and play: PetMD gives a cage no smaller than 24 by 36 by 48 inches, and caiques need daily time out to play.
• Diet: PetMD advises pellets with a small amount of fresh produce daily; Chewy adds that their energy calls for a little more fruit than most parrots, and vegetables high in vitamin A.

Can a caique live with other birds?

Often not safely. PetMD says caiques are known to be aggressive toward other birds and should be housed individually, and The Vet Desk calls them stubborn and aggressive with other birds. The Chewy article quotes keepers who house two caiques together when the owner interacts with both, and suggests the same sex unless you plan to breed.

• Never leave a caique loose with a smaller bird unsupervised.
• Keep a new caique in a separate room until your avian vet clears it.
• If you keep conures, ask your vet about polyomavirus: VCA says conures are often thought to be carriers and that the virus can be deadly to caiques.

Is it legal to buy a caique in the US?

• CITES: both caique species are on Appendix II. CITES controls trade between countries, not a sale between two US residents.
• Endangered Species Act: neither species is on the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife (checked November 2026), so no federal permit is needed to buy, own or move one within the US.
• Imports: the Wild Bird Conservation Act has barred most imports of CITES-listed birds since 1993, so a young caique should be US-bred, ideally with a closed leg band.
• State and local rules: rules on keeping birds and noise vary, so check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency and your landlord.

Where can you find caiques for sale, and what should you ask?

Choose a breeder who lets you visit, weans chicks before sale and shows you the parents. A rescued adult lets you see its temperament first; Phoenix Landing, which serves Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, North Carolina and Jacksonville, Florida, lists a $300 fee for caiques (see how to adopt a caique). On PetzLover you can browse caiques for sale, filter by location, save a search and message the seller before you visit.

1. Which species is it, and are both parents the same species?
2. When did it hatch, and is it fully weaned?
3. What is on the closed leg band?
4. Can I see the DNA sexing certificate?
5. Which avian vet examined it, and was it tested for polyomavirus or other diseases?
6. How does it react to hands and to excitement? Can I handle it?
7. Will you give a written health guarantee?

Put the species, hatch date, band number, sex and price on a signed bill of sale. See how to sell caiques for what a careful seller has ready, or how to take in a rehomed caique if you would prefer an adult.

How much does a caique cost in the US?

• Breeder price: Dallas Parrots, a Texas aviary that sells caiques, puts typical breeder prices for black-headed caiques at $1,200 to $2,500 in its 2026 guide, with hand-fed, weaned, DNA-tested babies at $1,800 to $2,500. Chewy notes that white-bellied caiques and females cost more.
• Adoption: Phoenix Landing lists $300 for caiques.
• Yearly costs: typically $300 to $400 (The Vet Desk), which notes that the caique diet is more specialized.
• Set-up: a sturdy cage of at least 24 by 36 by 48 inches, a bath dish, and a steady supply of chew and foot toys.

A caique priced far below these ranges, or one that must be shipped from a seller you cannot visit, is a warning sign. The Better Business Bureau warns about fake bird sellers who demand extra shipping or crate fees, and the FTC advises paying by credit card, never by wire transfer, gift card or cryptocurrency. Use the Report Scam button on any suspicious listing.

How do you check a caique's health?

Book an avian vet exam soon after you bring it home; the Association of Avian Veterinarians has a Find-a-Vet search. Chewy describes caiques as generally healthy birds whose main known threat is polyomavirus, which is most often fatal, and VCA lists caiques among the parrots for which the virus can be deadly. Keep a new caique apart from your other birds until it is cleared, and wash your hands after cleaning the cage; the CDC notes that birds can carry psittacosis without looking sick.