Caique
Encyclopedia
The Caiques are species of parrot
s in the genus
Pionites. There are two main species, the White-bellied Parrot
(or White-bellied Caique) and the Black-headed Parrot
(or Black-headed Caique). They are relatively small and stocky, with a short, square tail. Due to their very brght, pure colors they are considered among the more beautiful parrot species. Their typical weight is 150 - 170 grams. They can live up to 40 years.
They are endemic in the Amazon Basin
in South America
, with the Black-headed north of the Amazon River
, and the White-bellied south. They are not, at present, highly endangered, and are not on the CITES Treaty list of endangered species. They generally prefer forested areas and subsist on fruit and seeds. Caiques are generally canopy dwellers, spending most of their time in the tops of trees, foraging and playing. Caique wing feathers produce a distinctive whirring sound in flight. They are highly vocal.
Caiques have a social system which is slightly unusual for parrots. They tend to live in a clan of five or ten related families in a single enormous tree. They form long-lasting relationships, positive and negative, with other clan members. They are extremely competitive for status. They may be less exclusive-pair-bonders than larger parrots. In captivity they may be more likely to have several long-term human "friends" than other parrots, and can be less troublesome in relating to their bonded human's spouse.
Black-headed caiques are also occasionally known as the "seven-color Parrot" because in addition to having red eyes, each caique's plumage includes black, green, yellow, orange, white and blue feathers. They have also been nicknamed in aviculture as "the dancing parrot" for their habit of hopping and "dancing", especially when encouraged by rhythmic clapping. Historically, they were thought to be unsuitable as pets, because wild-caught caiques do not accept captivity well. Current, more sophisticated, socialization practices have shown that this is not the case, although caiques are not "beginner" or "easy" parrots.
Caiques are growing in popularity in aviculture
, the more commonly found species being the black-headed caique since it was introduced first in captivity, but the white-bellied caique's popularity is growing rapidly as well. Caiques bond well with humans and have a reputation as playful and energetic birds that enjoy playing with toys and lying on their backs, as shown in the photo on the right. They are not particularly good flyers, becoming tired and winded after only a short distance. They also tend to be clumsy and slow in the air as compared to other birds. They often prefer to walk, jump, climb, or hop as a mode of transportation. They are excellent climbers, with very strong feet and legs.
Caiques also exhibit a unique behavior known as 'surfing', where the bird will vigorously rub its face, wings and chest against any nearby soft item (e.g. carpets, towels, cushions, crumpled paper, curtains or human hair) whilst using its beak to pull itself along. During this, the bird will display jerky movements and may roll over several times. This behavior is thought to be a cleaning or bathing motion and occurs regardless of age or sex. In the wild, Caiques use wet leaves instead of carpets or towels.
Compared with the volume of larger parrots, caiques are fairly quiet if trained properly. They have a peculiar call which has been compared to a smoke alarm, used for warning and for making contact with flock members who are out of visual range. This call is high, piercing, and loud enough to alert flock members across the jungle or neighboring apartment dwellers. They are extremely active, prefer lots of physical interaction and playtime, and are prolific chewers. They can be distrustful of or aggressive toward other species of parrot, so prospective buyers should be careful if they have or plan to have other types of parrots. They can also be highly demanding of human attention, and stubborn, not easily distracted from stealing eyeglasses or chewing unapproved items even when tempted with favorite treats and toys.
Caiques are poor imitators of human speech, and their appeal as a pet lies in their playfulness, not their speaking ability. Some individuals can learn to mimic words, and will speak in a soft and gravelly voice. Many caiques easily learn to whistle and some birds enjoy developing a large repertoire which they creatively recombine to come up with new calls and short tunes. They also enjoy learning environmental sounds such as telephone rings and microwave beeps. Caiques are considered "acutely intelligent", particularly in social interactions.
Caiques also possess a particular odor. The smell of a particular individual depends on genetics, emotional state, grooming and diet. Some birds smell more strongly than others, and the scent can be described as a dry, cardboard-like smell. Happy caiques on a healthy diet that includes flax seeds or another source of high-quality seed oil often smell slightly sweet. Prospective buyers should interact with a bird before buying it, as all pet buyers should, to see whether they find the smell unpleasant.
As parrots go, caiques are somewhat "difficult" birds and inexperienced parrot owners should be ready to exercise patience over a long period, or may care to choose another species. Although they can make wonderful, affectionate companion parrot
s for the right person, due to their extremely engaging and funny personalities, some individuals can be very hot-tempered. Their beaks and claws are needle-sharp, unless maintained with abrasives. They are friendly, in their way, but their mode of making friends can be alarming: They tend to get to know humans by "hanging out" with them for 20 minutes or so. Then they bite, hard enough to draw blood. This exemplifies their competitiveness. Caiques need an environment in which humans exercise firm, consistent, gentle dominance, for them to become good pets. Establishing dominance can take some time. Many caiques never beome "safe" with strangers, and are unsuitable for homes with children. Caiques ordinarily respond well to homes in which some time is devoted to playing with them each day; they are so charming that playing with them is delightful, not onerous. Caiques are very emotionally perceptive, and enjoy sitting quietly, watching and listening to humans interact with each other. The affection and respect of their human friends is very important to them. It has been said that "you love 'em or you hate 'em". They amply reward the painful process of socializing them. Like all pet birds, they need to be kept in a bird-safe
environment.
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
s in the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Pionites. There are two main species, the White-bellied Parrot
White-bellied Parrot
The White-bellied Parrot , in aviculture often referred to as the White-bellied Caique, is one of the two species in the genus Pionites of the Psittacidae family; the other species being the allopatric Black-headed Parrot...
(or White-bellied Caique) and the Black-headed Parrot
Black-headed Parrot
The Black-headed Parrot , also known as the Black-headed Caique, Black-capped Parrot or Pallid Parrot The Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus; sometimes incorrectly Pionites melanocephala), also known as the Black-headed Caique, Black-capped Parrot or Pallid Parrot The Black-headed Parrot...
(or Black-headed Caique). They are relatively small and stocky, with a short, square tail. Due to their very brght, pure colors they are considered among the more beautiful parrot species. Their typical weight is 150 - 170 grams. They can live up to 40 years.
They are endemic in the Amazon Basin
Amazon Basin
The Amazon Basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries that drains an area of about , or roughly 40 percent of South America. The basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela...
in South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
, with the Black-headed north of the Amazon River
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
, and the White-bellied south. They are not, at present, highly endangered, and are not on the CITES Treaty list of endangered species. They generally prefer forested areas and subsist on fruit and seeds. Caiques are generally canopy dwellers, spending most of their time in the tops of trees, foraging and playing. Caique wing feathers produce a distinctive whirring sound in flight. They are highly vocal.
Caiques have a social system which is slightly unusual for parrots. They tend to live in a clan of five or ten related families in a single enormous tree. They form long-lasting relationships, positive and negative, with other clan members. They are extremely competitive for status. They may be less exclusive-pair-bonders than larger parrots. In captivity they may be more likely to have several long-term human "friends" than other parrots, and can be less troublesome in relating to their bonded human's spouse.
Black-headed caiques are also occasionally known as the "seven-color Parrot" because in addition to having red eyes, each caique's plumage includes black, green, yellow, orange, white and blue feathers. They have also been nicknamed in aviculture as "the dancing parrot" for their habit of hopping and "dancing", especially when encouraged by rhythmic clapping. Historically, they were thought to be unsuitable as pets, because wild-caught caiques do not accept captivity well. Current, more sophisticated, socialization practices have shown that this is not the case, although caiques are not "beginner" or "easy" parrots.
Species and subspecies
- Black-headed ParrotBlack-headed ParrotThe Black-headed Parrot , also known as the Black-headed Caique, Black-capped Parrot or Pallid Parrot The Black-headed Parrot (Pionites melanocephalus; sometimes incorrectly Pionites melanocephala), also known as the Black-headed Caique, Black-capped Parrot or Pallid Parrot The Black-headed Parrot...
, Pionites melanocephalus. There are two subspeciesSubspeciesSubspecies in biological classification, is either a taxonomic rank subordinate to species, ora taxonomic unit in that rank . A subspecies cannot be recognized in isolation: a species will either be recognized as having no subspecies at all or two or more, never just one...
. They hybridize freely and individuals showing some level of intermediacy in colors are common:- Black-headed Parrot/Caique (P. m. melanocephalus): Eastern part of its range. Orange thighs and crissum, nape deep orange, and belly white.
- Pallid Parrot/Caique (P. m. pallidus): Western part of its range. Yellow thighs and crissum, nape relatively pale, and belly tinged yellowish (often barely visible; belly normally appears "dirty white" in the wild).
- White-bellied ParrotWhite-bellied ParrotThe White-bellied Parrot , in aviculture often referred to as the White-bellied Caique, is one of the two species in the genus Pionites of the Psittacidae family; the other species being the allopatric Black-headed Parrot...
, Pionites leucogaster. There are three subspecies:- Green-thighed Parrot/Caique (Pionites l. leucogaster): Eastern part of its range. It has green thighs and upper tail.
- Yellow-thighed Parrot/Caique (P. l. xanthomerius): Western part of its range. It has yellow thighs and green upper tail.
- Yellow-tailed Parrot/Caique (P. l. xanthurus): Central part of its range. It has yellow thighs and upper tail.
Aviculture
Aviculture
Aviculture is the practice of keeping and breeding birds and the culture that forms around it. Aviculture is generally focused on not only the raising and breeding of birds, but also on preserving avian habitat, and public awareness campaigns....
, the more commonly found species being the black-headed caique since it was introduced first in captivity, but the white-bellied caique's popularity is growing rapidly as well. Caiques bond well with humans and have a reputation as playful and energetic birds that enjoy playing with toys and lying on their backs, as shown in the photo on the right. They are not particularly good flyers, becoming tired and winded after only a short distance. They also tend to be clumsy and slow in the air as compared to other birds. They often prefer to walk, jump, climb, or hop as a mode of transportation. They are excellent climbers, with very strong feet and legs.
Caiques also exhibit a unique behavior known as 'surfing', where the bird will vigorously rub its face, wings and chest against any nearby soft item (e.g. carpets, towels, cushions, crumpled paper, curtains or human hair) whilst using its beak to pull itself along. During this, the bird will display jerky movements and may roll over several times. This behavior is thought to be a cleaning or bathing motion and occurs regardless of age or sex. In the wild, Caiques use wet leaves instead of carpets or towels.
Compared with the volume of larger parrots, caiques are fairly quiet if trained properly. They have a peculiar call which has been compared to a smoke alarm, used for warning and for making contact with flock members who are out of visual range. This call is high, piercing, and loud enough to alert flock members across the jungle or neighboring apartment dwellers. They are extremely active, prefer lots of physical interaction and playtime, and are prolific chewers. They can be distrustful of or aggressive toward other species of parrot, so prospective buyers should be careful if they have or plan to have other types of parrots. They can also be highly demanding of human attention, and stubborn, not easily distracted from stealing eyeglasses or chewing unapproved items even when tempted with favorite treats and toys.
Caiques are poor imitators of human speech, and their appeal as a pet lies in their playfulness, not their speaking ability. Some individuals can learn to mimic words, and will speak in a soft and gravelly voice. Many caiques easily learn to whistle and some birds enjoy developing a large repertoire which they creatively recombine to come up with new calls and short tunes. They also enjoy learning environmental sounds such as telephone rings and microwave beeps. Caiques are considered "acutely intelligent", particularly in social interactions.
Caiques also possess a particular odor. The smell of a particular individual depends on genetics, emotional state, grooming and diet. Some birds smell more strongly than others, and the scent can be described as a dry, cardboard-like smell. Happy caiques on a healthy diet that includes flax seeds or another source of high-quality seed oil often smell slightly sweet. Prospective buyers should interact with a bird before buying it, as all pet buyers should, to see whether they find the smell unpleasant.
As parrots go, caiques are somewhat "difficult" birds and inexperienced parrot owners should be ready to exercise patience over a long period, or may care to choose another species. Although they can make wonderful, affectionate companion parrot
Companion parrot
Companion parrot is a general term used for any parrot kept as a pet that interacts abundantly with its human counterpart. Generally, most species of parrot can make good companions....
s for the right person, due to their extremely engaging and funny personalities, some individuals can be very hot-tempered. Their beaks and claws are needle-sharp, unless maintained with abrasives. They are friendly, in their way, but their mode of making friends can be alarming: They tend to get to know humans by "hanging out" with them for 20 minutes or so. Then they bite, hard enough to draw blood. This exemplifies their competitiveness. Caiques need an environment in which humans exercise firm, consistent, gentle dominance, for them to become good pets. Establishing dominance can take some time. Many caiques never beome "safe" with strangers, and are unsuitable for homes with children. Caiques ordinarily respond well to homes in which some time is devoted to playing with them each day; they are so charming that playing with them is delightful, not onerous. Caiques are very emotionally perceptive, and enjoy sitting quietly, watching and listening to humans interact with each other. The affection and respect of their human friends is very important to them. It has been said that "you love 'em or you hate 'em". They amply reward the painful process of socializing them. Like all pet birds, they need to be kept in a bird-safe
Bird-safe
Bird-safe is a term used to describe objects and surroundings that are safe for captive birds and it is most commonly associated with pet birds. Birds are smaller than humans and other pets and therefore are considerably more vulnerable to dangers...
environment.