Name: Nilo

Breed: Southern crested caracara

Age: 6

Parents: unknown

Siblings: Kadu (deceased)

Eye color: dark brown

Voice: Chico da Silva (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X82EHG9LioY&list=FL2si4mdcJ09WOpyfL6Bzokg&index=13&feature=plpp_video)

Mate: Calliope

Likes: Calliope, when Calliope sings

Dislikes: anyone opposed to him and Calliope being together, his brother

Personality: He is goal-oriented, strong-willed, and adventurous. He is passionate, intense, and charming. Is introverted, imaginative, and sometimes discreet. As well, he is altruistic, self-confident, and can't stand any kind of constraint. He is fond and protective of Calliope, whom he loves with all his heart and soul.

History: He hatched in 1997 just outside Rio de Janeiro, along with his brother. They didn't get along very well, and parted ways when they got their feathers. Nilo's life was uneventful until he was 4, when he met and fell in love with another caracara. But their time together was short-lived. A few weeks later, Nilo's mate was out hunting when she flew into some power lines and was electrocuted. When she didn't return, a worried Nilo flew off to look for her. He soon found her under the power lines, unmoving, Upset by the loss of his mate, he grieved for her. He later got over it, though the pain was still with him.

A few months later, Nilo was out flying when he heard a beautiful voice from somewhere below him, and swooped down to investigate. He found a small blue Indian ringneck parakeet singing. He hadn't heard a voice more beautiful since his mate died, so he alighted on a rooftop and watched her; he was entranced and transfixed. The parakeet clearly wasn't from around there, since she was singing in a language Nilo didn't recognize. After she stopped singing, Nilo landed by the birds gathered around her; they flew off scared when they saw him land. The parakeet stayed where she was, not looking the least bit scared. After a few minutes, Nilo said to her in Portuguese, "Hi, name's Nilo. That was beautiful." In that peculiar language of hers, the parakeet thanked him, and introduced herself as Calliope. Curious, Nilo asked where she was from, and found out she was from Greece. They talked for a little while, then flew off. That night, he hardly slept, as he couldn't stop thinking of the small parakeet with the lovely voice. They met and talked often during the following weeks, and Nilo found himself attracted to Calliope, though she was a different species. Maybe it was because he, being goal-oriented, found himself surprised and glad for how many of the little things in life she pointed out. Or perhaps it was because she wasn't afraid of him. Whatever the reason, he was in love with her.

Soon, a familiar face caught wind of their romance - Nilo's brother. Late one night, while Nilo and Calliope were out flying, the brother flew up and dived at Calliope, grabbing her in his talons. "Interesting girl you have there, Nilo. I thought you'd have picked a better one." Surprised, Nilo turned and said, "Kadu, what are you doing here?" Kadu replied, "Frankly, I don't like your taste in women. I don't like you, or anything about you. You've been better at me at everything. You don't deserve her, you worthless pile of feathers!" Kadu broke Calliope's wings, then dropped her. Nilo dove down after her, but Kadu blocked his path. He fought with Nilo, who avoided every move. Nilo, worried and angry, fought harder and finally tossed his brother, who hit an electrical transformer. Nilo landed by Calliope's side, hoping she wasn't dead after her fall. Luckily, she wasn't. Nilo was relieved. He picked her up gently in his talons, being careful not to hurt her, and set her in a tree hollow outside the city. Every hour of every day, he perched on a branch below the hollow, waiting for her to heal, leaving only to bring back food for her.

A couple months later, Calliope's wings had healed, and she could fly again. Late one night, near the end of 2002, Nilo and Calliope were perched on a rooftop overlooking the city. Calliope was pointing out how beautiful the stars and the city were at night; Nilo agreed. "Calliope... could I tell you something?", he asked. After Calliope said sure, he said "Since I met you, you've brought joy back into my life. I was sad and lonely for a while, and hearing that lovely voice of yours made me feel a lot better. Now, I love you, Calliope. I don't want to live the rest of my life without you. Will you be my mate?" Calliope happily agreed. Despite them being different species, they love each other more than anything.

*Speaks Portuguese, knows English, doesn't know Greek

Relation to Rio: lives in Rio, his brother knew Jewel before she ended up in Tulio's bird sanctuary