Caiques (pronounced kye-eeks or Kye-ee-kayes) belong to the psittacine genus Pionites. White-bellied caiques comprise three sub-species: Pionites leucogaster, P. l. xanthomeria, and P. l. xanthurus.

Description: The white-bellied caique is a small parrot, averaging 23 cm in length and 165 g in weight. With a helmet of bright orange feathers, a brilliant yellow chin and snowy white breast, white-bellies are certainly one of the most colorful small parrots. There are color features that distinguish the three white-bellied sub-species. All have white underparts, but some differ in tail and thigh coloration. P. l. xanthomeria has yellow thighs and a green tail. The back and wing feathers are dark green, with wing coverts deep blue.

Range: White-bellies are native to Brazil and parts of Peru and Bolivia. They prefer lowland forests near watercourses. Very social, white-bellied caiques travel in pairs or family groups, feeding on rainforest fruits, nuts, vegetation and seeds. Like most parrots, white bellied caiques like to nest in cavities high in the canopy of rainforest trees. These parrots lay anywhere from two to four small white eggs which the female incubates. Incubation lasts around 26 days, during which the female rarely leaves the nest. The male will forage and feed her while she sits the eggs. The chicks hatch blind and helpless and both parents feed and care for them. At about 14 weeks of age the chicks are ready to leave the nest to begin foraging and feeding on their own.

Habitat: Like so many species of plants and animals in the region, the white bellied caique is threatened with shrinking habitat, as Brazil is losing rainforest at an alarming rate. The wholesale destruction of habitat has contributed to the decline of countless rainforest species, and if left to continue will surely lead to the extinction of many.

Artificial Incubation: Nest boxes are checked daily during the breeding season, which in Florida begins in January and usually ends in June. Eggs are removed by 0900 hours and are weighed, measured for length and width, labeled for species, date and cage number and placed in an avian incubator. The incubator is maintained at (99.9 F) with 50% humidity. Chicks hatch on the 26th day of incubation. Upon hatching, chicks are weighed, color-coded with a non-toxic marker and placed in individual plastic cups lined with soft absorbent cotton. Hatchlings are placed in an avian brooder set at (97 F) and saturation humidity. Brooder temperatures are lowered with chick age, usually in three to five degree increments. Once chicks are feathered, brooder temperatures are set to ambient room temperature.

Hand-feeding: Upon hatching, white-belly chicks are fed every 90 minutes around-the-clock for the first five to seven days. The chicks are fed a commercial parrot hand-feeding formula prepared fresh for each feeding. Syringes are used to feed the formula, which is heated to (100-105 F). Growth patterns indicate that within the first five to seven days, a weight gain of 15-20% over a single 24-hour period becomes a benchmark for future development. Upon achieving this daily growth rate, chicks "take off", and weight gains are usually sustained at roughly 15% for the next few weeks. After the first week, chicks are fed roughly every 2 1/2 hours, or whenever the crop is completely empty. After the first four to five weeks chicks should be fed four times per day. Weaning usually begins by week ten, with chicks fully weaned by 14 weeks of age. Feedings are gradually reduced at this time, and dietary additions such as millet spray, banana, soaked monkey biscuits, whole wheat breads, cooked rice, beans and pasta, as well as the full adult diet of seeds and fruits are offered daily.

Relatively new to the avian pet trade, caiques (pronounced "ki-eeks") are quickly making their mark in the world of aviculture and are gaining much-deserved popularity with their bright, festive coloring and playful, active personalities. These cocky yet clownish little birds are as friendly and outgoing as they are curious, their talking ability has proven to be more than adequate, and their entertaining antics are a welcome delight to any observer. From all appearances, these energetic little beauties possess almost all of the most sought-after traits that are considered desirable in a companion parrot.

Currently the most commonly available species is the black-headed caique, originating North of the Amazon and westward to parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru. These birds sport a deep, rich forest green color on their backs, wings and tail. The top and upper back of the head is a shiny jet black; the nape and neck is a vivid yellow/orange, and the beak is black. There is a hint of dark green around the eyes, and the entire front of the belly and breast area is a soft cloudy white. "Socks" and the underside of the tail is burnt orange. This parrot measures approximately nine inches in length, and their sex is undeterminable by visualization.

The less common but increasingly available species is the white-bellied caique, whose habitat is South of the Amazon, from northern Brazil and spreading to parts of Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. The appearance of the white-bellied species is almost identical to the black-headed, with two striking exceptions: the beak of the white-bellied caique is horn colored, and the entire head is a bright yellow/orange, giving this species the appearance of wearing a hood. The abrupt color changes from one part of the body to another are so pronounced on both of these birds that they look as if they have been painted on! The white-bellied species is slightly smaller in size measuring approximately eight inches in length, and again, this species is not sexually dimorphic.

Caiques are surprisingly small but heavy to those who have not previously encountered them; their body build is compact and stocky with a "barrel"-like chest and short, square-shaped tail. The average weight of an adult is approximately 150 to 175 grams, and their average lifespan is 30 years. They have a relatively narrow wing span and this, coupled with their weight, prevents them from flying long distances. In their native habitat, small flocks have a tendency to group together in treetops. Their chattering and verbal interactions among themselves can become quite loud, and they take flight quickly when approached, returning only when they sense the "intruder" has departed.

As with most avian species, the personality traits of the caique differ with each individual bird. Some exhibit the "Show me you love me" desire to be petted and cuddled more than others, but the overall pet potential of these charming little clowns is very hard -- if not impossible -- to surpass. They are rambunctious, energetic little pistols who sometimes seem to never wind down! They are very social, happy-go-lucky birds by nature, and love attention from their humans. Their work is to play, and they do play hard! They are quite coordinated, and some of their natural daily antics will consist of climbing up, down, over, around and under; swinging; tumbling; wrestling; rolling; hanging; jumping; and perhaps the most amusing of all, bunny-hopping. This entertaining-to-watch activity has thus far been noted to be specific to caiques and the etiology is unknown, which only serves to to heighten their uniqueness and desirability as companion parrots.

Well-known behavior specialist Sally Blanchard shares her life and love with an adorable black-headed caique named Spike. Spike often accompanies Sally to lectures, where she demonstrates his exuberance for this hopping activity by placing her hand on his back, grasping him around his middle and pretending to "bounce" him up and down. Much to the delight of spectators, Spike will continue "bouncing" and bunny-hopping long after Sally has released him!

Caiques are energetic, busy little birds, and caution must be exercised during playtime to prevent biting that can stem from "emotional overload". To keep them entertained, provide a multitude of toys to hold their attention. They especially love those that either make noise, or assist them in their "travels"; such as bells, balls, ropes or hoops. They prefer things that provide movement, and swings are high on the list of favorites. Because their activity level is so high, they need toys such as acrylics that can withstand hard play; and like all companion parrots they need "destructible" wooden toys to satisfy their chewing instincts and keep their beaks in shape. Natural, bird-safe branches are a favorite. Toys should be rotated on a regular basis to prevent boredom.

The talking ability of this species is not notably impressive as with the African Grey; but they easily speak well enough to be understood if you listen closely. They have tiny, high-pitched voices that are similar in sound to that of a budgie. They spend a good deal of time chattering to each other and can become quite noisy when socializing. They quickly learn to whistle musical tunes, and seem to prefer mimicking those whistled by their owners as opposed to what they hear on a radio or television. These parrots are intelligent, and teaching them to perform tricks is usually quite simple. Potty-training is also quite easy for them to master. It has been noted that hand-raised, tame caiques will remain loving to their humans even after being paired with a potential mate; they do not often exhibit the tendency to become "one-owner" birds.

They have no special dietary requirements; pellets supplemented with fruits, vegetables and other foods common to parrots will satisfy their needs and requirements. They do have a fondness for chewing natural green branches, so providing a supply of these is recommended.

Possessing so many positive traits that are sought by bird owners, I believe that caiques are well on their way to becoming one of the most opular companion parrots in existence. Their reasonable purchase price ($750 -- $1000) is well within the range of other popular species, and the recent increase in successful breeding attempts by many avicuturists definitely ensures that we will be hearing and seeing more of these cuddly little clowns!

White Bellied Caiques are the undisputed rodeo clowns of the parrot world. Their coloring is almost as comical as their personalities. They like being the center of attention and are a joy to watch play, wrestle, Hop like rabbits, and steal food from each other. They are very easy to teach tricks and are capable of completing difficult tasks.

White Bellied Caiques are like small children in that they can play very hard for a while and then get tired somewhat suddenly and need a nap. They need this down time which makes them a good pet for someone who is gone a lot during the day. They do not need constant attention and have the ability to entertain themselves when need be.

In the wild, White-bellied Caiques spend most of their time up in the tree tops and love to play with twigs and with fellow flock members! Some times pairs will travel separately from the flock. They eat fruits, berries and seeds. White-bellied Caiques nest very high in the canopy. Captive-bred White-bellied Caiques seem to have an endless energy supply and enthusiastic personalities! They love to play and bathe, and need an ample supply of leafy green branches for chewing. White-bellied Caiques are extremely sociable even though their talking ability is quite limited. Be sure your bird has many toys and perches in his cage to keep him amused; a Cockatiel cage is the right size, but the larger, the better. White-bellied Caiques do very well on a basic pellet food supplemented with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables along with grain and sprouted seeds. When raised correctly and handled firmly, White-bellied Caiques are fun friends! They are very intelligent and can learn a variety of tricks!

Growing to about nine inches in length, White-bellied Caiques have predominantly green plumage. They are extremely colorful little birds with orange upper ear coverts, crowns, napes and foreheads. Their bill is horn colored, and the periopthalmic ring is white. White-bellied Caiques have flesh-colored feet. The iris is red. White-bellied Caiques have yellow throats and cheeks. Their undersides are a creamy white color, and their under-tail covers are yellow in color. White-bellied Caiques' primaries and primary coverts are a deep violet or purple-blue color, and the upper sides of their tails have green feathers. The underside of the tail is a gray-black color.

White-bellied Caiques are native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Peru, where it resides in tropical lowland forests. First recorded by Kuhl in 1820, obscured White-bellied Caiques have recently gained an almost overnight popularity in aviculture. This is wonderful, because as their habitat is destroyed, captive-bred birds may be the only hope for the reintroduction of Caiques to the wild and the preservation of the species.

Length: 7-9in.
Habitat: undergrowth in woodlands, hedgerows, brushy areas, suburbs, parks.




Often in the nesting season this trim bird is a close neighbor of man. Like the Mockingbird, the Gray Catbird is regarded as a mimic, but it is less an actual imitator than a plagiarist of musical ideas. As one listener put it, the catbird "suggests the songs of various birds—never delivers the notes in their way!" It burbles along, now loud, now soft, uttering a long run of squeaky phrases, seldom repeating itself. It gets its name from its call note—a petulant, catlike mew.

Length: 3-4 in.
Habitat: coniferous forests; other forests, thickets (migration, winter).





Restless, flitting movements and a very small size are good signs that the bird you are looking at is a kinglet. Scarecely pausing to perch, kinglets glean small insects and their eggs from leaves and bark. In its flittering flight the Golden-crowned Kinglet utters a high, thin ssst, which is often repeated several times as a phrase.

Length: 6-7.5 in.
Habitat: scrubby trees of sub-Arctic and mountain slopes; forest undergrowth; thickets, farmlands, parks (migration, winter).

The husky Fox Sparrow scratches vigorously for seeds, small fruits, and insects among fallen leaves, jumping forward and back with both feet and spraying litter in all directions. Its summer food is mostly insects and other animals. Its voice is as distinctive as its appearance. The fox Sparrow is a relatively large species. It is brown, red-brown, or gray above and streaked below with a large central spot.

The song is a series of rich, often slurred whistles run together in a short "sentence." Indeed, the general impression is that of a conversation.

Length: 7-8 in.
Habitat: coniferous forests; other forests and at feeders (migration, winter).




The name evening grosbeak was given this species by an observer who heard a flock at twilight, at a site northwest of Lake Superior. At that time—1823—the Evening Grosbeak was a western species; since then, it has spread far to the east. One hypothesis is that feeding trays loaded with sunflower seeds may have played a part in this expansion, but reports show that grosbeaks regularly pass up such offerings in favor of boxelder seeds and other wild food.