Pictures i think I figured it out...

[Laurie]

@Macawnutz asked why caiques look like the have dirty bellies. Here is a belly feather.



White with a gray base. I think this is what you are seeing that makes it looks dirty.

I have a friend who saw wild BHC's in South America and they looked really dirty, i read they get stains on them from tree sap.

 

[Macawnutz]

Thank you Laurie! I'm such a feather nerd I had to ask.

That would be the reason they look dirty to me. What I'm also noticing is it seems their bellies are made up of more downy material than zippable feathers. That would also explain why you can see the "dirt". They won't have that smooth flat appearance with that much down, they have a ruffled belly sort of look.

Thank you, really! I always read about their "surfing" habits and always think they must sled around on their bellies.

 

[saroj12]

@Macawnutz JoJo's chest

 

[Laurie]

Jojo is always a little green (or blue). Lol!

 

[Macawnutz]

So, they lay on their bellies?

Korbel skies on his back so the idea is not foreign to me. He goes to the top of the recliner, rolls over and slides down the chair and into my lap on his back.

 

[Laurie]

Thank you Laurie! I'm such a feather nerd I had to ask.

That would be the reason they look dirty to me. What I'm also noticing is it seems their bellies are made up of more downy material than zippable feathers. That would also explain why you can see the "dirt". They won't have that smooth flat appearance with that much down, they have a ruffled belly sort of look.

Thank you, really! I always read about their "surfing" habits and always think they must sled around on their bellies.

Lots of downyness.

 

[Irishj9]

I can see the point about maybe the base of the feather is grey. But I have a flock of these mad critters, ( 2 species) and none of them rubs their bellies against anything to stain the feathers. It may be taught by wild parents only