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.