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Hi,
I haven't posted in quite some time - Dory is now 9 months old, she is one of Mama Gloria's babies



I hope this works, its been so long since I've posted pics

Pretty!

she looks so sweet! it's nice to see how they change as they get older. thanks for sharing.

yes, even I have noticed her change from a few months ago

She is so cute and I love her little black specks on her head.

Thanks for sharing.

I was just wondering what the average age is for WBs to lose their black head feathers? The bird I'm supposed to be getting in July is 8 weeks old, but the breeder says there is no black on his head. Does this sound right? I thought it could take up to a year or more. Is there a chance she's trying to sell me an older bird?

Hi Nikki,

Some baby WB caiques have alot of black and others don't. I have seen some babies that are nearly all the orange and I am guessing that it depends on the parents. (???)

Have you seen your baby? I would ask for pictures. You can definitely tell by the white on the belly - as babies have alot of the yellowish feathers rather than the pure bright white. Go look at Gloria's picture at www.shadypines.com. She has a basket full of babies and it will help to give you an idea.

As for age - they all are a little different but most of it molts out about 6 months I think. My little Sassyfras is 8 now and gets a little black spot somtimes and I think it is adorable. It makes her very unique - I call her my little ladybug.

I wouldn't think the breeder would have you wait if she is trying to sell a little older bird. Who is the breeder? When I got Sassy and Punkin from North Carolina - I spoke many times with the breeder and he sent me pictures of the birds with his wife and in their little cage and one with them in a little bowl on the table. (That is how they kept them in one place while feeding because they are just so busy and of course starving and running around).

Thanks Scootie! That is true, I didn't even think of the belly! I am waiting on a breeder out west, I live in eastern Canada.

Sassy sounds adorable!! I didn't realize the black spots could come back in! That's really cute. I try not to get too excited, I still might have to wait a while, but there's so much to look forward to!

I'm supposed to be getting pictures tonight. Thanks again!

Hi, I was the original poster of this thread.... and i've been away from the board for awhile...
I'm not a "professional", but an 8wk old bird (if its a WB) is GOING to have black feathers on its head.
I would double check / question the breeder.

Good Luck !

From what I understand not all WB's have a lot of black head feathers when they are young. A more educated guess would be through the color of the breast. All thee babies have quite a bit of yellow in the chest.. Cisco is almost a year and a half old and he still has a couple left. And they def ahve that "baby " look to them Find other post of young Caiques and just take a look.

caique/topic57673.html

caique/topic39192.html

These are some of Cisco when he first came to us. The young birds have a totally diff look from even sub adults

Freddy