of unknown age and history. We had Any caging situ:J.tion should have a Breeding Aspects no way of knowing if a particular bird safety area such as a wire safety aisle had been pair-bonded in the wild and built around it. This will prevent ofCaiques and if it had ever bred before. Such birds escape ofthe birds should they get out often took several years to settle down of their breeding cage and prevent Pionus Parrots and to re-pair in captivity. Today there predation by animals such as rac­ are domestic, unrelated birds available coons. Caiques are especially adept at by Gail J. Wolth in the more common species. Both opening cage doors. Aves International, Pionus and Caiques have been bred to Rancho Palos Verdes, CA several generations in captivity. We are Nestboxes finding that domestic birds, even I recommend that nestboxes be con­ handfed ones, are breeding well in structed of wood. I do not like metal captivity. In general, domestic birds nestboxes as they are too cold in win­ he wonderful Pionus parrots have the advantage ofusually being of ter and too hot in summer. Metal con­ and Caiques are interesting known age. Young domestic hens are ducts heat and cold far better than does T groups of psittacines both as full ofeggs and will have a long breed­ wood. Additionally, I think the chewing breeding birds in the aviary and for ing future ahead of them. of the wooden box prompts birds to pets. Four species of Pionus and two Exercise caution when introducing breed. This is a more natural type of species ofCaiques are well-established two birds together, as aggression is a nest; there aren't metal nestboxes in in aviculture in the United States. possibility. It is best to house the birds most tropical forests. Although the nest­ Unlike some other psittacine genera, in adjoining cages for a while and then box will have to be replaced periodi­ these two are proving to be easily bred put them into the intended breeding cally, I think the benefits outweigh the from domestic-bred stock. Therefore, cage at the same time. Thus neither small cost factor of replacing the box we can expect to have these mar­ bird has a chance to achieve prior occasionally. Using thick plywood to velous birds in our aviaries and homes dominance in the breeding cage. construct the box will reduce somewhat despite the unavailability of new wild­ Domestic birds can be introduced at a the frequency with which the nestbox caught breeding stock. Although there young age to reduce the chances of will have to be replaced. are similarities in breeding the two aggression. It is always a good idea to Caiques and Pionus will both breed genera, in my opinion the Caiques pre­ have any prospective breeding stock well in both rectangular and L-shaped sent a greater challenge to the avicul­ seen by an avian veterinarian. Birds or "boot" boxes. A rectangular box turist than do most of the Pionus should be screened for bacterial infec­ with dimensions of 11 x 11 by 22 inch­ species. However, there are still four tions, psittacosis, vitamin deficiencies, es high is readily accepted. Some pairs, Pionus species that are not well-estab­ parasites, and be given other tests that especially nervous ones, might breed lished in aviculture so there are plenty your veterinarian might recommend. better in an L-shaped box with dimen­ of challenges for the aviculturist in sions of 12 to 15 inches by eight inch­ both groups. To begin, I will address caging es and a height of eight inches on the some husbandry aspects that are com­ Caiques and Pionus will breed in a short part and 14 to 20 inches high on mon to both genera and then I will variety of cage sizes and configura­ the tall part. An entry hole should be add information specific to each spe­ tions. There are cases from two pet placed high on either type of nest. cific genus. birds breeding in a small pet cage to Ifa pair does not accept one style or birds breeding in large flight cages. In size box, try a different box. Most pairs Choosing Breeding Stock general, both Caiques and Pionus will prefer snug boxes so don't make the Choosing breeding stock is of breed in the same size cage. A cage mistake of giving larger and larger utmost importance. Although it is that is two to three feet wide, three feet tempting to purchase proven pairs, this tall and three to six feet long is suffi­ is not always themost prudent thing to cient for one breeding pair of birds. It do. Certainly there are some really is best to use suspended cages that WATCH BIRD BINDERS good proven pairs offered for sale have perches raised above the eye Hansome, sturdy binderholds a full yearsissuesof from time to time. Just as often, an avi­ level of the keeper. Pairs usually feel The Watchbird (6 issues). Of rich brown leather-like vinyl embossed ingold. $7.00 each culturist will sell a pair that is indeed more secure and are more likely to CONTINENTAL U.S.- Add $4.00 Shipping/Han­ proven and has produced well in the breed when kept in this manner. Pairs dling for one binder. Add 75¢ for each additional past but has now slowed in production can be housed in side by side cages, binder. FOREIGN-Add$8.ooShipping/Handlingforone or has developed bad habits such as but Honus breed best if separated binder. Add $2.50 for each additional binder. breaking eggs or killing chicks. Be sure from sight of other pairs. Aluminum Please remitin U.S.funds. you can trust the seller ofa proven pair sheeting is ideal for separating adjoin­ PhoneOrdersaccePtedUSing~, and always ask for as complete a his­ ing cages. Caiques do not necessarily American FederationofAviculture P.O. Box56218 tory on the pair as is possible to obtain. have to be separated by sight. I have Phoenix,Arizona8507!Hi218 In previous years, most pairs set up for seen successful breeding situations (602)484-0931 • fax(602) 484-0109 breeding were wild-caught adult stock with Caiques housed both ways. the afa WATCHBIRD 37 sizes to your birds. I recommend that vegetables on a daily basis are impor­ This nominate species is also known the box be hung on the outside of the tant to maintain optimum health of by the common name of Green-thigh­ breeding cage for ease of inspection caiques and Pionus. ed Caique. There is only one sub­ and to give less surface area to the Weaning chicks should be offered species of P. melanocephala, the Pallid birds to chew. Pine shavings, not saw­ dry seed, pellets, spray millet, cooked Caique P. m. pallida. dust or cedar shavings, should be grains, sprouted grains and seeds, raw There are two subspecies ofP. leuco­ placed inside the nestbox several inch­ and cooked vegetables and slices of gaster, The Yellow-thighed Caique P. I. es deep to a point just below the apple and corn on the cob. xanthomeria and the Yellow-tailed inspection door which should be locat­ Caique P. l. xanthurns. Of these five ed on the back side of the box. The Captivating Caiques types of caiques, only the Black­ box should be hung as high as is pos­ With just two species in the Pionites Headed and Yellow-thighed are well sible to afford the birds as much secu­ genus, the Caiques are quite unique. established and there are a few Green­ rity as possible. Often compared to the lories because thighed, often hybridized with Yellow­ of their high energy and curiosity, thighed. Diet Caiques are highly entertaining both as The Black-Headed is much more My philosophy for feeding birds is pets and as aviary residents. They have common in U.S. aviculture as this to provide as large a variety as is pos­ a sort of fearless precociousness that I species was imported in large quanti­ sible offresh, natural, and unprocessed have not seen in any other type of ties from Guyana until the ban on foods. We feed very little or no dry bird. Even pin-feathered chicks will importation in October 1993. The seed to our breeding birds and add an boldly amble about the nursery visiting Yellow-thighed was mainly exported avian pelleted food, Mazuri breeder with other young birds such as from Bolivia and the export of these pellets, as one ingredient of many in a macaws several times their size. They stopped a decade or so ago. Fewer of dish of fresh foods. These foods are natural clowns rolling and tum­ these were imported but they have include a large variety of sprouted bling with their clutchmates. proven to be prolific breeders in cap­ grains and seeds, boiled grains, beans, This past spring, lacking cage space, tivity once established. and peas, boiled root vegetables, fresh we put a couple ofyoung caiques in a It took a great deal of patience to fruits, and a large variety of fresh cage with 10 young Senegal Parrots attempt to breed wild-eaught caiques. chopped vegetables in season. We use Poicephalus senegalus. After a couple Often several years were necessary for the sprouting kits sold by China Prairie of days, we noticed that the caiques these wild birds to settle into captivity Company ofGarberville, CA. These kits were using the SenegaIs like props in and to feel comfortable enough to have an excellent variety of seeds and their playing. The caiques would both breed. I waited six years for my Yellow­ grains for sprouting and provide an lay on their backs and pass a hapless thighed to breed after I had purchased additive for the soaking water to pre­ Senegal back and forth between them them from an import station. vent fungal and bacterial growth, and like a beach ball! Needless to say, we Caiques lay from one to five eggs in also a vitamin/mineral powder that had to separate these groups. a clutch and will lay two or more contains 'wheat grass and barley grass The same two caiques loved to play clutches in a breeding season if the along with 88 trace minerals. We boil a with the cardboard roll that is in the eggs or chicks are pulled for hand­ variety of grains. for about 30 minutes. middle oftoilet paper. We noticed that rearing. They hatch in 28 days and the Included are brown rice, red wheat, one bird liked to put the roll over his chicks are covered with a beautiful lentils, corn, and several bean and pea head and walk around blindly. After white down. varieties. We also boil root vegetables removing it a few times, we realized Quite vocal from birth, Caiques such as carrots, beets, yams and sweet that he was doing this intentionally demand their first feeding as soon as potatoes for about thirty minutes to and would often be found dozing on the down dries. Many people have soften them and make them more one foot with the roll on his head. found Caiques difficult to hand-rear, palatable and digestible. Apple is fed Even adults love to play and should especially from day one. I think I have on a regular basis and other fruits in always be provided with toys and discovered the reason why people .season are occasionally fed. Vegetables fresh leafy branches. Caiques love to have found them to be difficult. that are regularly fed raw include broc­ roll in leaves and seem to derive great Necropsies have shown that the cause coli, cucumber, kale, chard, corn on enjoyment from stripping bark from of death in caique chicks is usually the cob, squashes, green beans, and green branches. aspiration. The chicks call almost pumpkin. All of these various ingredi­ Caiques are native to South America, incessantly during handfeeding. I have ents are mixed together with the occurring in Brazil, Bolivia, the found that aspiration can be avoided Mizhuri pellets and dusted with a small Guianas, Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, by feeding very small amounts of for­ amount of vitamin/mineral powder and Colombia. They were mainly mula from a small syringe, waiting and calcium/phosphorous powder. exported from Guyana and Bolivia. between bites for the chick to call. If This nutritious mixture is fed once a The two nominate species of Caiques several chicks are being fed, I feed day in the early morning and the birds are the Black-Headed Caique Pionites approximately one cc offormula to the devour every morsel of it. I feel that m. melanocephala and the White­ very young chick and feed its sibling sprouted grains and seeds and fresh Bellied Caique Pionites l. leucogaster. while it calls, then feed it another small 38 May/June 1998 amount. ever attempt to feed a chick incubation. The chicks are all covered Closing Comments in the middle of its call. This is when it with thick white down. They are Whether you choose to work with is most vulnerable as its glottis, the extremely hardy and grow quickly, the prolific Pionus or the challenging opening to the trachea, is wide open. perching by about eight weeks of age. caiques, both genera are well worth If fed frequently the first few weeks of However, this is only about the the attention of American aviculturists. life, caique chicks grow quickly. halfway point for some individuals, as Especially in the case of the Coral­ Curiously, they stop their incessant Pionus seem to take forever to wean. Billed, Dusky, and Plum-crowned calling when they begin to feather and Some wean as early as 12 weeks of Pionus, much work remains for the go through a shy and quiet period for age but I have found that Bronze­ serious aviculturist to establish captive a week or so. After this one week of wingeds are particularly difficult to self-sustaining populations of these timidity, the caique becomes the bold wean and do not respond well to beautiful birds. Hopefully the regula­ and charming creature we all love. being pushed into it. I recommend tions governing the importation ofcap­ offering three hand-feedings a day to tive-bred birds from Europe and other Perky Pionus Parrots Pionus until they completely wean. parts of the world will soon be relaxed Native to several countries ofCentral Even if it is only a small bite of formu­ and we will have more bloodlines of and South America, there are eight la in the morning and afternoon, these these uncommon species. I have seen species of Pionus parrots. Only four small feedings actually help to stimu­ a lessening of interest in the four more species, the Blue-headed Pianus men­ late the young Pionus to eat on their common species of Pionus in recent stlUUS, White-crowned Pianus senilis, own. A very hungry chick will often years. This is a shame, in my opinion, Bronze-winged Pianus chalcapterns, not attempt to feed itself even if it has as they are wonderful pet and aviary and the Scaly-headed or Maximillian eaten soft foods alone on previous birds. We must not become compla­ Pianus maximiliani are well estab­ days. It will simply sit with a fluffed, cent and neglect species that are cur­ lished in U.S. aviculture. There is a bobbing head, emitting the most plain­ rently well established. I am thankful smaller number of breeding pairs of tive begging call you have ever heard. to have had the opportunity to work Dusky Pionus Pianusjuscus and a very Ignoring such a bird can result in a with Caiques and Pionus and cannot small number of Coral-billed Pianus bird that starves before the evening imagine not having them in my sardidus and Plum-crowned Pianus feed. aviaries. ~ tumultuasus. To the best of my knowl­ edge, there are no White-headed Pionus seniloides remaining in the United States. Unfortunately, only one group of White-headed entered the .S. in the early 1980s and these all eventually perished, most likely from Aspergillosis, a fungal disease that can VITA • HEALTH™ be seriously detrimental to Pionus that are kept in less than clean environ­ SPIRULINA ~ ments. VITA • HEALTH' The four more common species of Natures Perfect Multi-Vitamin cmmmra 1~ NiIIlunl V"alnUI Su~rmel'll Pionus have proven to be reliable and State-Of-The-Art-Technology fO'.llfy~ofbnds prolific breeders. I first bred the • Patented Ocean-chilled Drying with near zero Bronze-winged in 1984, the same year oxygen levels. this species was first bred in the U.S. • Internationall)' recognized ISO: 9002 standards. I'll never forget how excited I was to • Oxygen barrier packaging. see the lovely down-covered chicks. 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