Caique Parrot is relatively Small and Stocky, with Bright Colors

Caique is a small and sturdy parrot belongs to the species ‘Pionites’. The Caique has a short & squared tail and very decent colors.

The Caiques are widespread in the “Amazon Basin” in South America. The black-headed are found in the north of Amazon River, whereas, the white-bellied are found in the southern regions. They usually desire forested areas and survive on the fruits and seeds. The Caiques are commonly canopy inhabitants, spending their more time on the trees, hunting, and playing. The Caique’s wing-feathers make a unique whirring sound while flying. The Caiques are very vocal.

Weight

The normal weight of a Caique is around 150 to 170 grams.

Lifespan

The normal life expectancy of Caiques is up to 40 years.

Behavior and Ecology

The Caiques are normally seen in the tops of the trees and less growing forests. No less than two members of the crowd act as guards while feeding. Their diet contains flowers, fruits, pulp, and different seeds, while in imprisonment they are known to eat the insects. The Caiques can breed from October to May at several times in a year. The Caiques are high nesting cavity parrots and they perch jointly. They fight with other individuals if they kept in packs or cartons.

The black-headed Caique is frequently seen in the forest and adjacent forested homes in the Amazon north of “Amazon River”, and west of the “Ucayali River” in Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. The black-headed Caique is very common and found in various safe areas all over its range.

Caique Classification 

Initially “Pionites” were categorized into two species; black-headed and white-bellied parrots. But, new morphological research has shown that white-bellied parrots should be divided into three subspecies due to their plumage and leg coloring. Formerly, these parrots were frequently associated with the ‘Conures' or other South American Parakeets.

Green-Thighed Parrot

Description. Green-thighed parrot is typically 23 cm (9.1 inches) long with generally green & pink feet and apricot-orange cap. They are solid parrots.

Region and Habitat. Green-thighed parrots are usually found in the Amazon area of Brazil. They live in sea-level moist steamy and seasonally underwater forests.

Yellow-Tailed Parrot

Description. The Yellow-tailed parrot is typically 23 cm (9.1 inches) long. The breed is more similar to black-legged parrot, however with yellow-tail and pink-feet.

Region and Habitat. The Yellow-tailed parrots are usually found in the Amazon area of southern Brazil. They mostly desire to live in sea-level moist steamy and seasonally underwater forests.

Black-Legged Parrot

Description. Black-legged parrot is typically 23 cm (9.1 inches) long. They are more similar to green-thighed parrot, however with yellow-thighed and blackish-feet.

Region and Habitat. The black-legged parrots are found in most areas of Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil. They desire to live in the seasonally underwater forests.

Black-headed Parrot

Description. The black-headed parrot is typically 23 cm (9.1 inches) long generally with green & yellow thighs, hints of orange color, blackish-feet, black-cap with a black-bill. They are medium-sized chunky parrots.

Region and Habitat. The black-headed parrots are usually found in most parts of Colombia, Venezuela, Guiana, Peru, and Brazil. They mostly desire to live in sea-level moist steamy and seasonally underwater forests.

Aviculture

Juvenile White-bellied Caique on back playing

The Caique parrots are not getting acceptance in aviculture. The most common breed is black-headed caique since it was familiarized primary in the captivity. However, the acceptance and reputation of white-bellied Caiques are also increasing rapidly. Well-trained Caiques make a good relation with human beings. They have popularity as lively and energetic parrots. They enjoy playing with the toys and lying on their backs. These parrots occasionally show uncommon behavior with the avian species in because they roll over on their backs in ostensive play which is often called ‘Wrestling’. The Caiques are mostly not good flyers as they become tired and breathless after only a short flight. The Caiques frequently desire to walk, jump, climb, or flight as a means of transportation. They are exceptional hikers, with most powerful feet and legs.

Breeding

In captivity, the Caiques are adept of breeding under the age of 3 years. They usually lay a clutch of 4 eggs and the incubation takes about 24 to 27 days. Maximum couples struggle to nurture all their four chicks. The chicks are usually fed by both mother and father. They remain in the nests for around 70 to 75 days. The parents are very loving to their descendants and after the baby birds have fledged, they return to their nests every night with the parents where all the family perch together.