I stopped by a local Bird Shop the other day and was tempted to purchase 2 recently weaned WBCs - due to all the great things I have been hearing about them lately. The price was great ($500 each) which made it even more tempting to not pass up.

I studied them for quite awhile and it seemed like whenever they stopped moving or playing, eating, etc. - one more than the other (although both were doing it) would look up to the ceiling (& hold that pose for a lil bit), far more regularly than I would call normal? The shop owner said he only had them for a couple days and did not notice anything unusual himself. After I pointed out what I was seeing, he seemed stumped as to why (not sure if this was an act or what by him & his assistant).

Has anyone here ever noticed this behavior in Caiques or even other parrot type birds (not talking about Star-Gazing as seen in finches unless "S.G." is possible/similar in Caiques?). I asked a well known Ekkie Breeder about it and she thinks it could be from a vitamin-B deficiency? Another breeder told me maybe a vitamin E/Selinium deficiency (possibly from poor vitamin quality in the handfeeding formula - they were recently weaned)?...... I passed on purchasing them for now, not sure whether to risk it or not even though I would quarantine etc. if I did purchase. Any ideas/advice/suggestions anyone?

Can't say I ever saw this before. In fact, seems the caiques we have are never still enough (except when they are eating) to hold a position for more than two seconds. Is it possible they were looking at you with the "pick me up" look? Were you standing above them? Also, the price really scares me. Way too inexpensive for a retail establishment.

OK, I am throwing a tantrum! That is a steal, I would take them in a heartbeat!

Kathie.... No, it doesn't appear to simply be due to someone standing above them. I wish it was only that. I am going to keep asking around and if they are still there next week, I may gamble and purchase them. Of course I will then quarantine for 45 days before allowing them or "residue" from them to come in contact with any of my other flock members.

I would worry that there might be possible disease organisms/microbes transferred from their feather dust/dander, to other flock members even though I don't have "documented proof" that diseases can be spread that way, say like in a vet's office or etc....

do they have that standing tall stance when they gaze? when alarmed in the wild they get that stand up tall look and are still for along time till danger passes.

No, actually they are kinda at rest/laid back sorta and look up as though they are fearing something from coming at them from above. They do it even when no one is near the enclosure.

Was the area shadowed at all?
I have noticed my female Rosie becoming very observant as of late when it comes to shadows, and she will stop, gaze at the ceiling for at least a minute at a time and make her 'look theres something out there' noise. I've been noticing that the shadows have been catching her attention, with it getting darker earlier and the use of more artificial light in the house.

Caiques are very attentive birds, and when they see something that either interests them or they see as something they feel they need to keep an eye on, they will watch it. I know both of mine always struggle with 'play...watch interesting movement outside window' and end up playing on top of their cages and stopping periodically to watch the interesting movements outside the window.

Only thing else I could think of was... were they both favoring which way they looked up? Could be an ear infection, and whomever had it passed it to the other, if that is even possible.

And dang Joel... 500 bucks apop for WBCs... that really is a steal considering the cheapest I have seen for the BHC is 700 breeder direct and WBCs always cost a bit more.

Well then, since I can't figure out why they do that (no it isn't shadows btw), maybe I should just purchase them, even if only to rehome (after quarantine) to excellent homes (members here hopefully) and make a small profit at the same time. Anyone want one for $575 plus the cost of food per day (from purchase date) until ya pick up (I don't ship)? Hmmmmmm......

Dont tempt me!!!!!