Longevity information for Caiques

Caiques can be very long-lived parrots, despite their small size. My first introduction to their longevity came in the late 1980's, when several European breeders were discussing reproduction in wild-caught Pionites leucogaster leucogaster and P.l. xanthomeria that had been held in captivity for 20-30 years. Birds estimated to be 40+ years old were observed to successfully parent-rear their chicks, and records from two collections in England suggested that breeding might well extend beyond age 50. Photographs from these collections were remarkable, as none of these older birds appeared noticeably different in appearance from young animals, and few age-related health problems or physical limitations in these birds were reported.

RSCF inherited numerous P.l. xanthomeria from a collection assembled by Dr. J. Vaughn in the late 1980's and early 1990's, including a pair from D. Taylor in California that was imported sometime from the late-1960's to mid-1970's. conservatively speaking, this pair has reproduced annually for at least 25 years, and very likely for 30+ years. Both birds may well be in their mid-40's,if not older, as their age when imported is unknown. Neither has exhibited illness during the past 12 years here, and they are robust, healthy, noisy white-bellies that usually lay three four-egg clutches per year.

Upon reviewing our health records for caiques, we were stuck by the complete absence of health problems, aside from occasional minor injury by cagemates or other accidents. Indeed, not a single post-fledging caique has died here since I arrived in late 1989, and every pair from that time is still reproducing, although some have slowed considerably, and some now lay a blend of fertile and infertile eggs. By all measures, caiques appear to be the Eveready bunnies of the small parrot world.

Paul Reillo
Rare Species Conservatory Foundation, http://www.rarespecies.org/

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