Animal-World > Birds > Caique Parrots > White-bellied Caique

White-bellied Caique

White-breasted Caique
Genus: Pionites

Family: PsittacidaePionites leucogaster leucogasterPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Cheryl Galloway

   The White-bellied Caique or White-breasted Caique has a very active nature Guaranteed to get into anything and everything it can!

  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.

   A distinguishing characteristic of the Caique is a lovely ruffled looking white breast and belly. This gave rise to it's name. 'Caique' is a term used to describe a full-dress, white shirt, with a ruffled front.

To learn more about Caique parrots visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Caique

Geographic Distribution Pionites leucogaster leucogaster Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae

Scientific Name:Pionites leucogaster

Sub-species::

• Yellow-thighed Caique
  Pionites l. xanthomeria
• White-bellied (White-breasted) Caique
  Pionites l. leucogaster
• Yellowed-tailed Caique
  Pionites l. xanthurus

Distribution:
   This subspecies, the White-bellied Caique or White-breasted Caique, is found in South America along the upper Amazon river, specifically in Brazil. They inhabit the forest canopies in tropical zones.

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 White-bellied Caique is distinguished from the other two subspecies by the green feathering in its thighs, it is also a bit smaller than the Yellow-thighed Caique.
   On juveniles the head is more brownish scattered with black feathers, the beak has gray markings by the base, and the eye is brown.

Size - Weight:
   Mature birds are about 9" (23cm) long from the head to the tip of the tail.

Care and feeding:
  A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch.
  In the wild these birds eat fruits, seeds, and berries from the tree tops. The Caique's main diet should primarily be seeds, fruits, and green vegetables. A commercially prepared parrot mix or pelleted diet can also be beneficial.

   See About Caique Parrots: Housing and About Caique Parrots: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:
   Caiques enjoy human interaction as well as interaction with other birds. In the wild the Yellow-thighed Caiques are very social birds usually seen in pairs, a family group, or a small flock. They are highly social birds with a very active nature. They will require a lot of interaction with either you or from another companion.
   But despite this overall affectionate nature, some can get rather grumpy and nippy and can be aggressive to other birds. They should never be left unsupervised with other pets.

   See About Caique Parrots: Handling/Training for information on developing a well rounded Caique

Activities:
   They are very intelligent, energetic, and constantly on the move. Love to climb, play, and chew. They will get into anything and everything made available to them. Provide lots of toys and branches, and rotate new bird toys on a regular basis.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   White-bellied Caiques are a challenge to breed, however they are being bred successfully. The female will lay two to four eggs which incubate for about 27 days. The male will feed the female while she is brooding, and will join her in the nest box at various times during the day and at night. The hatchlings will leave the nest at about 10 weeks.

Potential Problems:
   Like most parrots, the caiques are quite hardy when provided a good environment and proper care.
   See About Caiques: Potential Problems for more information.

Availability: 
   Caiques in general are not as available as other parrot species and are quite a bit more expensive. This White-bellied Caique, Pionites l. leucogaster, is the most common of the three subspecies and is occasionally available.

Author: Clarice Brough, CAS

Lastest Comments on White-bellied Caique View all 7 comments on White-bellied Caique Add Your Comment

donna - 2012-01-18 How could I know if my bird is a girl or boy Click For Replies (2) donna - 2012-01-18 and any body how do we know if my white bellied caique is a boy or girl Charlie Roche - 2012-01-18 There isn't any 100% way to determine wheher a white belly is a male or female without DNA sexing. You can purchase the DNA sexing kits ditrectly from the lab and the ads for the labs are listed in the back of Bird Talk Magazine. That said, most of the time with a 90% degree acuracy a breeder will be able to tell you whether you have a boy or a gal. The head of the male (from the eyes up the top of the head and over the top and down to the back of the head to the neck) is flatter than the females with a slight (real slight) ridge at the back of the head. The females head from the eyes and up and over the head and down the neck is a smooth curve. A female is broader in the body than the male - especially in the pelvic or lower abdomen region. The pelvic bone of the male is tighter together than the female. It sure is a whole lot easier to see these things when you have a boy and a girl. Now if it lays an egg - it is definitely a gal. Either way the white belly is a comic, entertaining, lots of fun and a great companion. Reply

Terri G - 2010-04-15 My husband came home with a Caique tonight. We had a senegal a few years ago and I did know what to expect and she is so sweet. I am really happy for him getting her. Can anyone out there tell me what the going price is for the Caiq? I don't know much about that bird yet, but I plan to read up on her. Any information is more than I know. Thanks much Click For Replies (4) Candy - 2010-05-22 You can expect lots of fun and laughs. The going price for most is around $1000.00 this year due to the strange winter and late spring we had. The weather affected all of the breeding birds. Thus, they are in great demand. These birds are the best. They are very entertaining. You can't help loving them. Enjoy. Lnet - 2010-07-23 I have seen them priced in the $700 to $1100 range in Miami. $700 is supposed to be a real bargain, as I was told. Josh - 2010-08-22 Hey, Terri, the average price for a baby white bellied Caique is around $850 to 1200. The Black Headed are a bit cheaper and so are the males. I have a female White Bellied and she was $1200, but this also included her first shots, hatch certificate and DNA results. They need lots of toys, room and 1:1 attention! Fresh greens and fruit..also, as you know, a good NON COLORED pelleted diet like Roudybush, Harrisons, TOP Pellets, etc. ( I stay away from ZuPreem and other colored ones...too high in sugar and preservatives) Anonymous - 2010-11-27 Caiques generally go from 800-1400 hundred dollars a bird. I have two and spent $2400 for the both of them. Reply

Sabrina - 2010-07-16 I have 2 white bellied caiques (Pixie and Ricky) and 1 black headed (Fidget) caique. Pix and Rick just had an egg a few days ago. We used to have 9 birds, but with the baby on the way, 10! 1 African Gray (Clementine), 1 cherry-headed conure (Tyson), 2 budgies, 2 cockatiels (Birdy and Henrietta), and the 3, soon to be 4, caiques. Caiques really are the best birds. Ricky lets me pick him up by the body, every morning you just wake up to whistles, Pixie is the sweetest of the Caiques, and Fidget (btw, she hates me. Bit me on the lip 3 times and the fingers 21 times. But who's counting, right?) says a few words. Birdy says 'hello' which kind of sounds like 'kerro'. He's still working on it. I hope we can get our new little baby to talk. The names are Scooter and Joan-z if its a boy and Mango if its a girl. Reply

Sarah - 2009-02-24 I love the white bellied caique parrot when I was working in Birds International Incorporated as a handfeeder. The supervisor had always given me that caique as I have to take good care. As a handfeeder we take care them and love them so much. I handled a lot of caiques and I love them very much because they are playful and love to play, and seems they know who takes care of them. I really miss them so much. Reply

Summer - 2008-11-14 I love my Caique. I have always had dogs and fish. My guy is name Cai, he is 8 months old, and I swear it's like having a 2yr old child. The only time he stops moving around is when he goes to bed. He hates staying in his cage and throws a fit when I go to put him back in. He has tons of toys. All the blogs that I read, say feed veggies but Cai will not touch them. I can't think of another bird that could give me as much laughter as ths one does, he is so friendly with everyone that comes to visit, and everyone has said if they ever owned a bird, it would be that one. Of corse they are always saying they want to steal Cai from me because he is so friendly. So if you ever think of getting a bird, these guys are great Reply

Jennifer - 2006-12-03 I am quite the bird lover, but of all the birds I've had, the most loving would definitely be my caiques. Right now, I have a senegal (Boogi), a red-bellied parrot (Nilla), a Black-capped Caique (Pop), and a White-bellied Caique (Buddy). Of them all, my caique's are the sweetest and most playful. Although not talkative, they make up for their talking ability with a lovable personality. They love annoying my Senegal and red-bellied, trying new foods, and singing to the wild birds they see when they're on the screened porch. They're very bold and love getting into trouble. Of all the birds in the world, the bird I would recommend most are caiques. Reply

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