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Caique Species
Caiques are divided into two species and five subspecies:-

Pionites melanocephalus = Black-headed caique
Pionites melanocephalus pallidus = Pallid caique.

Pionites leucogaster = White-bellied caique
Pionites leucogaster leucogaster = Green-thighed caique
Pionites leucogaster xanthomerius = Yellow-thighed caique
Pionites leucogaster xanthurus = Yellow-tailed caique

Species Profile:
They originate from the area of the Amazon Rainforest of northern Brazil and southern Venezuela, and the Guiana highlands.

In the wild, caiques generally prefer forested areas and subsist on fruit and seeds. The White bellied Caiques generally live in pairs or small flocks and Black headed Caiques will live in flocks or family groups of as many as 30 birds.

Caiques are generally canopy dwellers, spending most of their time in the tops of trees, foraging and playing.

Caiques are also occasionally known as the "Seven-Color Parrot" because black, green, yellow, orange, white and blue feathers have all been observed. They have also been historically known as "The Dancing Parrot" for their habit of hopping and dancing, especially when encouraged by rhythmic clapping.

Caiques are very energetic, playful, affectionate and intelligent. They are very adaptable and will adjust easily to a cage or aviary. They need a fairly high degree of commitment from the owner and will require a great deal of attention.

Caiques love interacting with people and with other birds however they can be somewhat aggressive toward other birds. Because of this Caiques should not be left alone with other pets.

They love playing with toys and can be fairly noisy.

An interesting trait of the Caique is their habit of rolling on their backs and playing with toys with their feet.

Sexing::
Caiques are not dimorphic. Gender identification must be done by DNA testing or a surgical probe.

The Yellow-thighed Caique
The Yellow-thighed Caique, are not only some of the most colorful birds in the parrot family, but are very inquisitive and outgoing. They have a very active nature and are guaranteed to get into anything they can.
Scientific Name: Pionites leucogaster
Sub-species:
Pionites l. xanthomeria Yellow-thighed Caique
Pionites l. leucogaster White-bellied (White-breasted) Caique
Pionites l. xanthurus Yellowed-tailed Caique
Description:
Like the White-bellied Caiques (leucogaster), but thighs and sides to body yellow; tail upperside green, underside blackish; periophthalmic ring grey; bill horn-colored with greyish base; feet dark grey

White-bellied Caique or White-breasted Caique
The White-bellied Caiques are not only some of the most colorful birds in the parrot family, but are very intelligent and quick to learn tricks. They are affectionate, inquisitive, and love to show off.
Scientific Name: Pionites leucogaster
Sub-species:
Pionites l. xanthomeria Yellow-thighed Caique
Pionites l. leucogaster White-bellied (White-breasted) Caique
Pionites l. xanthurus Yellowed-tailed Caique
Description:
All three subspecies of White-bellied Caique have a mostly orange colored head with the lores, sides of the head, and the throat being yellow. The back and wings are green and the breast and belly are primarily creamy-white. The beak is horn colored and the eye is reddish-brown. The Yellow-thighed Caique, true to its name, is distinguished from the others by having yellow thighs. On juveniles the head is more brownish scattered with black feathers, the beak has gray markings by the base, and the eye is brown.

Black-headed Caique
The Black-headed Caique has a delightful and comical personality. They are very intelligent and quick to learn tricks. They can mimic many environmental sounds but Caiques in general are not known to be good talkers. Being quite social and outgoing, they are affectionate and inquisitive, and they love to show off.
Scientific name: Pionites melanocephala
Sub-species:
Pionites melanocephala melanocephala Black-headed Caique
Pionites melanocephala pallida (Berlepsch)
Description:
Black-headed Caique has a mostly black head with the cheeks, throat, thighs and flanks an orange-yellow. They also have an orange band across the hind neck bordered by a few bluish feathers. The back, wings, rump and upper tail are green and the breast and belly are creamy-white. The tip of the tail is yellow. The beak is gray-black and the eyes are orangish-red. On juveniles the underside is more yellow, all orange and yellow parts are paler, the beak is horn colored, and the eye is dark brown.

Yellow Tailed Caique
Scientific name:
Pionites leucogaster xanthurus
Description:
as White bellied, but generally paler plumage; thighs, sides of body, under tail-coverts as well as upper and underside of tail yellow; lower back and upper tail-coverts green interspersed with yellow.

Green Thighed Caique
Scientific name:
Pionites leucogaster leucogaster
Description:
as White Bellied, but the thighs are green rather than yellow.

Pallid Caique
Scientific name:
Pionites melanocephalus pallidus
Description:
as the Black Headed, but all orange plumage is yellow, breast and abdomen is whitish.

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The Yellow-thighed Caique The Yellow-thighed Caique, are not only some of the most colorful birds in the parrot family, but are very inquisitive and outgoing. They have a very active nature and are guaranteed to get into anything they can. Scientific Name: Pionites leucogaster Sub-species: Pionites l. xanthomeria Yellow-thighed Caique Pionites l. leucogaster White-bellied (White-breasted) Caique Pionites l. xanthurus Yellowed-tailed Caique Description: Like the White-bellied Caiques (leucogaster), but thighs and sides to body yellow; tail upperside green, underside blackish; periophthalmic ring grey; bill horn-colored with greyish base; feet dark grey	White-bellied Caique or White-breasted Caique The White-bellied Caiques are not only some of the most colorful birds in the parrot family, but are very intelligent and quick to learn tricks. They are affectionate, inquisitive, and love to show off. Scientific Name: Pionites leucogaster Sub-species: Pionites l. xanthomeria Yellow-thighed Caique Pionites l. leucogaster White-bellied (White-breasted) Caique Pionites l. xanthurus Yellowed-tailed Caique Description: All three subspecies of White-bellied Caique have a mostly orange colored head with the lores, sides of the head, and the throat being yellow. The back and wings are green and the breast and belly are primarily creamy-white. The beak is horn colored and the eye is reddish-brown. The Yellow-thighed Caique, true to its name, is distinguished from the others by having yellow thighs. On juveniles the head is more brownish scattered with black feathers, the beak has gray markings by the base, and the eye is brown.	Black-headed Caique The Black-headed Caique has a delightful and comical personality. They are very intelligent and quick to learn tricks. They can mimic many environmental sounds but Caiques in general are not known to be good talkers. Being quite social and outgoing, they are affectionate and inquisitive, and they love to show off. Scientific name: Pionites melanocephala Sub-species: Pionites melanocephala melanocephala Black-headed Caique Pionites melanocephala pallida (Berlepsch) Description: Black-headed Caique has a mostly black head with the cheeks, throat, thighs and flanks an orange-yellow. They also have an orange band across the hind neck bordered by a few bluish feathers. The back, wings, rump and upper tail are green and the breast and belly are creamy-white. The tip of the tail is yellow. The beak is gray-black and the eyes are orangish-red. On juveniles the underside is more yellow, all orange and yellow parts are paler, the beak is horn colored, and the eye is dark brown.
Yellow Tailed Caique Scientific name: Pionites leucogaster xanthurus Description: as White bellied, but generally paler plumage; thighs, sides of body, under tail-coverts as well as upper and underside of tail yellow; lower back and upper tail-coverts green interspersed with yellow.	Green Thighed Caique Scientific name: Pionites leucogaster leucogaster Description: as White Bellied, but the thighs are green rather than yellow.	Pallid Caique Scientific name: Pionites melanocephalus pallidus Description: as the Black Headed, but all orange plumage is yellow, breast and abdomen is whitish.

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