Description
Black-Headed Caique for Sale Online
The Black-Headed Caique, Pionites melanocephalus, is a compact and colorful parrot from northern South America. Its black cap, orange-yellow face, green wings, and white belly create a distinctive appearance.
Size: 23 cm
Weight: 130–170 g
Status: Least Concern
CITES: Appendix II
Black Cap
The crown, forehead, and nape form the bird’s dark signature.
Warm Face
Orange and yellow tones appear across the cheeks, neck, and mantle.
White Belly
The white chest and belly contrast strongly with the green wings.
Small bird, big energy
Black-Headed Caiques are active, social, and curious. They often move around by hopping, climbing, and exploring. Therefore, daily play and enrichment are important parts of their routine.
Natural Habitat
The species occurs across parts of northern South America, including areas of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and the Guianas. In the wild, it uses humid lowland forests, seasonally flooded forests, forest clearings, and second-growth areas.
Black-Headed Caique Diet
A balanced captive diet can include quality formulated food, suitable vegetables, fresh fruit, and controlled amounts of seeds. The World Parrot Trust also lists soaked or sprouted foods and complete bird food among suitable options. Fresh water should always be available.
Keep an Active Caique Busy
Provide safe branches and suitable chewable toys.
Use simple foraging activities to encourage natural exploration.
Ladders, ropes, and varied perches add useful activity.
Offer a shallow bathing area or safe misting opportunity.
Housing & Daily Care
Choose the largest practical cage or aviary and give the bird plenty of room to climb and move. Add natural perches of different sizes, safe toys, and regular supervised activity outside the cage. Keep the enclosure clean and place it away from kitchen fumes and drafts.
Tree-cavity nesting
Black-Headed Caiques normally nest in hollow trees. A typical clutch contains 2–4 eggs, and young birds may fledge at around 10 weeks.
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Black-Headed Caique FAQs
What is a Black-Headed Caique?
It is a South American parrot also known as the Black-headed Parrot.
What is its scientific name?
Its scientific name is Pionites melanocephalus.
How large is a Black-Headed Caique?
Adults are about 23 cm long and weigh around 130–170 g.
What does a Black-Headed Caique eat?
A balanced diet can include formulated food, vegetables, fruit, and controlled seed portions.
Are Black-Headed Caiques active?
Yes. They are energetic birds that benefit from daily play and enrichment.
Do Caiques need toys?
Yes. Chew toys, climbing items, and foraging activities help keep them occupied.
What is the conservation status?
The Black-Headed Parrot is currently listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
