White Bellied Caiques (Pionites leucogaster) — also known as White-breasted, Apricot-headed or Yellow-thigh Caiques or Parrots – are endemic to Brazil and eastern Peru.
The fun-loving little parrots are uncommon in the United States — in fact, it is estimated that less than a dozen are found in the USA.
This Caique is one of two species of parrot in the genus Caique (Pionites); the other species being the Black-headed Caique or Parrot.
Range / Distribution
Caiques are native to South America, specifically Bolivia, Brazil and Peru – preferring subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests or swamps.These parrots are social beings.
In the wild, caiques are generally seen in pairs or flocks up to 30 birds, calling loudly during flight.
Both black-headed caiques and white-bellied caiques prefer the same type of canopies and lowland forests.
Description:
This parrot measures around 9 inches (23 cm) in length and its general plumage coloration is green with the forehead crown and nape orange-yellow in color. Their thighs are green and they have a white belly. They have bluish primary feathers, a horn-colored beak, and pink or grey feet.
Male and female birds look identical.
Immature White Bellies often have scattered brownish or black feathers on the crown and nape as well as yellow feathers on their white belly. Their bill horn-colored has a blackish base; their feet are grey and their irises are dark, changing to a rust or orange color as the bird matures.
Their life expectancy is about 30 years.
Breeding Data:
- Average clutch size: 3 eggs
- Incubation: 24 – 27 days
Caiques as Pets – Personality Traits
Care and Feeding:
- General Info on Housing your bird / Fun and Safe Toys
- Purchasing or Adopting your Companion or Aviary Birds
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Caring for your companion bird
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Pionites leucogaster leucogaster … English: White-bellied Caique, White-breasted Caique … Dutch: Witbuikcaique, Roestkopcaique …German: Rostkappenpapagei … French: Caïque à ventre blanc
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: leucogaster, xanthurus, xanthomeria
CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Northern Brazil
Sub-species:
Yellow-tailed Caiques:
The Yellow-tailed Caique is, to my knowledge, not found in the United States.
Species: Scientific: Pionites leucogaster xanthurus … English: Yellow-tailed Caique … Dutch: Geelstaart Roestkopcaique … German: Gelbschwanz Rostkappenpapagei … French: Caïque à queue jaune et vert
Description: As White-bellied Caiques (leucogaster) pictured above, 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. … Length: 24 cm (9.5 ins)
Distribution: North-western Brazil – Endangered Species … CITES II
Yellow-thighed Caiques:
The Yellow-thighed Caique (Pionites leucogaster xanthomeria) is a subspecies of the white-bellied caique featured above. This caique is readily available in aviculture. There are speculations that the Yellow-thighed Caique is indeed a hybrid between Black-headed Caique (pionites melanocephala) and the White-bellied Caique (pionites leucogaster) but this species is being captive-bred in the United States and is breeding true, which would indicate that this is a species in its own right.
Description: As White-bellied Caiques (leucogaster) pictured above, but thighs and sides to body yellow; tail upperside green, underside blackish; periophthalmic ring grey; bill horn-colored with greyish base; feet dark grey. … Length: 23 cm (9.2 ins)
Breeding:
- Average Clutch Size: 3 eggs
- Incubation days: 24 – 27
Distribution: Southern Banks of upper Amazon in State of Amazonas, Brazil, West to Eastern Ecuador, Eastern Peru and Bolivia in Province of Beni … CITES II – Endangered Species
Species: Scientific: Pionites leucogaster xanthomeria … English: Yellow-thighed Caique … German: Gelbschenkel-Rostkappenpapageit
