[5] In captivity, female white-faced sakis experience ovarian cycles of approximately 17 days, and a gestational period of 20–21 weeks.

Females have shorter hair than males, with brownish-grey fur and white or pale brown stripes around the corners of the nose and mouth.

They are considered monogamous, but have seldom been observed over a long period of time and many primatologists question their behavior as being "typical monogamy" because of their inconsistent group numbers and possible seasonal effect on congregations.

[9][7] White faced sakis vary from many other primates including their close relative, Chiropotes satanas, in that they are predominantly leapers, which is how they travel approximately 70 percent of the time.

[7] If a predator is near, alarm calls, which have been observed to last from 1.2 to 88 minutes, will be sounded by an initial saki and then continually echoed by others to spread the warning.

[7][9] They are small primates and dwell in the branches of trees, so one of their biggest predator threats are large birds such as hawks, vultures, and the harpy eagle.

Other terrestrial and aquatic predators include the tayra, jaguars, pumas, green anacondas, ocelots, red-tailed boa, and even large mustelids, which are usually threats to the young and elderly.