Black-headed Caique / Black-crowned Parrot

1 Black-headed Caique Breed Overview

The Black-headed Caique is an easily recognized parrot; from its name you can guess its head is black, like wearing a black cap. Because of this distinctive look and its playful personality, the Black-headed Caique attracts much attention and affection. Compared with some birds, it is long-lived, averaging about 30 years.

This popular Black-headed Caique (wild) mainly inhabits northern South America, and is not usually seen alone. Though it may not gather in flocks of hundreds like some birds, groups can still reach dozens; sometimes they appear only in pairs.

Besides the black head, it has other colors: yellow cheeks and neck, green wings, and white chest and belly.

Chinese name: Black-headed Caique

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Family: Psittacidae

Genus: Pionites

Species: Black-headed Caique

2 Physical Characteristics of the Black-headed Caique

Males and females look very similar, so sexing by appearance is nearly impossible. The most memorable feature is the black head; other distinctive traits include orange-yellow cheeks and neck, green wings and thighs, and a white chest and belly.

There are two subspecies that differ in form; the Andean subspecies has yellow rather than green legs, and some individuals have pale yellow rather than white chest and belly.

Note that captive-bred birds differ from wild ones: captive birds have better feather condition and rarely show the white belly mixed with other colors, and they are also larger than wild birds.

Black-headed Caique physical description:

Body length: 23 cm.

Weight: about 150 g.

Head: black.

Cheeks: orange-yellow.

Neck: orange-yellow.

Wings: green.

Chest: white.

Belly: white.

Other: a climbing bird, with two toes forward and two back.

3 Black-headed Caique Habitat

Good husbandry requires a good environment. On the cage: the body length is 23 cm, so size the cage to the bird. A properly sized cage is vital; too small is harmful, like living in a cramped room.

Also mind cage cleanliness. To keep it clean, give the cage a thorough cleaning on a regular schedule, and promptly clear food scraps. The bird also needs water; provide clean drinking water and change it immediately if contaminated.

When first kept, they may not adapt at once, but they need little time; soon the unfamiliarity with the new environment fades.

Those familiar know this parrot comes from South America. Does it live everywhere there? Wild Black-headed Caiques inhabit northern South America and are rarely found at high altitude. They are gregarious and easy to spot; they are also noisy, with loud wing beats besides calls, which makes them easy to find.

4 Black-headed Caique Care

The Black-headed Caique is noisy, which also makes it easy to find in the wild. If you want to keep one, first confirm that you and your family can tolerate the noise. Like some birds, it is especially loud at dawn and dusk. If you cannot handle the noise, do not keep one.

Wild-caught birds are troublesome and take longer to adapt, so buy captive-bred birds, which also have better feathers and other advantages.

Because males and females look alike and behave similarly, those wanting to breed must pay attention to sexing when buying. To breed successfully, provide healthy and nutritious food. During breeding they are aggressive; be careful when inspecting the nest box, to avoid disturbing the birds or getting hurt.

The Black-headed Caique can live over 25 years; to help it live longer, keep it scientifically.

5 Black-headed Caique Feeding Guidelines

Like many parrots, their wild food is seeds, nuts, fruit, and buds, and the Black-headed Caique is no exception, eating mainly these in nature. When foraging they are usually in flocks of about ten, feeding in trees.

For pet birds, staying healthy is especially important, so while doing other care do not neglect feeding. Generally, captive Black-headed Caiques are fed mainly a seed mix. Owners are also advised to give some other foods in moderation, to ensure the bird gets enough nutrition from its diet.

Besides healthy, nutritious food, prepare clean drinking water and change it immediately if there is a problem. You may have seen this advice in articles about other birds, which shows just how important water is to them.