Caiques

[ray]

I have a Caique ( a member of the parrot family). Why do he bob his head up and down when i get home. He is finger tame, is it a sign of affection or something else?

[wildwood]

Yes, it is a sign that the bird is happy to see you. Most parrots will bob their head when their mate (which is what it regards you as) rejoins it. Sometimes they even contract and dilate their eye pupils rapidly which gives the appearance that the eye is flashing. Parrots which are used to a lot of different people such as in a zoo or birdpark may bob their head at just about everyone that comes past, hoping that someone will give it some attention.