Feathered Petz
 

The black-headed caique looks as if it is wearing a black mask, as the black colouration extends over the crown of the head to just below the eyes, where it changes to a small band of green. It has a black beak, dark grey feet, yellow cheeks and chin, a peachy/orange colouring on the back of the head and neck and the iris is red. The back, wings and tail are green and the belly is white. They originate from the north of the Amazon and westward to parts of Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru.
 

Breeding, feeding and bathing
These birds are forest canopy dwellers and nest up in the tree hollows. They tend to congregate in pairs, family groups, or small flocks of around thirty or less birds. Caiques are seasonal breeders and begin in early spring and finish in late summer. Breeding pairs of caiques may lay three to four clutches of eggs a year, laying around three to four eggs at a time. The chicks will then hatch in twenty-five to twenty-nine days. Caiques mature at about two to three years old, but it is not possible to sex them reliably without using DNA or endoscopy testing.

Caiques really enjoy their food and will readily eat a diet of high quality pellets, supplemented with fruits, vegetables and occasional nuts and seeds. They must always have a fresh supply of water available too.

As caiques love to bathe, it is a good idea to offer them regular bathing facilities, in the form of a suitable bowl or spray. If your caique is kept indoors, you can allow them to bathe in the sink, or allow a small trickle of water to drip from the tap for them to sit under. Never leave them unattended whilst bathing and ensure everything is clean first. Bathing is very beneficial for birds, as it helps to keep their plumage in peak condition.

Characteristics and behaviour
There is little, if any, difference between the two species. They are both very entertaining and loveable characters and can be very acrobatic, making it fairly easy to teach them tricks. They are not, however, renowned for their talking ability, but are good at whistling and mimicking sounds. Hand-reared birds will obviously be easier to handle, as they can become aggressive if handled timidly. They can be kept with other birds, but are more likely to get on with another caique – although, always exercise caution when introducing them to a new companion.

As caiques are very energetic, they require a large cage, but remember to ensure that the bar spacing is not too large in case your bird gets its head stuck. Make sure they have a good and regular supply of different toys to keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. They will also enjoy a supply of leafy green vegetables to chew on.

Caiques have some very comical traits too. One is that they tend to enjoy hopping and jumping in preference to flying, due to their strong legs and feet, and the other is their rather bizarre sleeping habit; they can give their owner a shock when found sleeping on their back with their legs in the air!

Caiques vary in price, but the black-headed caique is more readily available than the white-bellied and is therefore less expensive. Caiques are increasing in popularity amongst the parrot world and, for the right person, can make excellent pets with a possible lifespan of over thirty years!

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When traveling with a bird, you need comfortable travel quarters. For your test runs as well as for your trip, your bird will need a small pet carrier. It should be spacious enough for your bird to move around comfortably and allow for wing flapping. A regular cage won’t work as your bird may injure his feet on the wire bars of the cage during your trip.
You’ll want your bird to familiarize himself with his pet carrier before the trip begins so he will feel comfortable in his surroundings. When taking the neighborhood test run with your bird, be sure to carry him in the same pet carrier you’ll be using on your trip.

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