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Black-headed Caique  (Pionites melanocephala)

Also Known As: Black-capped Parrot, Black-headed Parrot, Pallid Caique (P.m. pallida)
 
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Black-headed Caique

Credit: © Kevin Britland | License: ShutterStock
 
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Did You Know?
The stance of the Black-headed Caique is more upright than other parrots, giving them a comical, fearless appearance.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
Not recorded

Range:
P.m. melanocephala: occurs in northern South America from north of the Amazon river, N Brazil west to E Colombia.
P.m. pallida: found in SE Colombia to E Ecuador and NE Peru; possibly west of Andes in Narino, SW Colombia.

Habitat:
Found in tropical forest and savanna; prefers forest edge and canopy and occupies tall secondary growth trees. Also found up to 1100m (3608 ft) in Venezuela and up to 500m (1640 ft) in Colombia.

Threat Summary:
Numbers contracted locally due to trapping and deforestation in Amazonia.

IUCN Rating:
Least Concern

Wild Diet:
Eats seeds of various species of plants, plant pulp, flowers and leaves. Also evidence of some insects taken.

CITES Rating:
Appendix II

Ecology:
Gregarious, loud; usually in small groups but sometimes up to 30 individuals. Communal roosting, usually in tree cavities. Forages in canopy with one or two members watching for danger.

Clutch and Egg Size:
2 to 4 eggs, 29 x 23 mm (1.1 x 0.8 in)

Breeding Season:
Breeding December-February in French Guiana; April in Venezuela; April-May Colombia; October-November in Surinam.

More Info Sites:
http://www.arndt-verlag.com/projekt/birds_3.cgi?Desc=E294.htm&Pic=294_1.JPG