Benjamin hatching a Ping Pong Ball?

[AmynHowy]

We are still getting to know Benji (2 weeks since adoption) and he is generally settling in very well. He seems happy (has a medium sized bedroom as all his own, with 2 large cages and many, many toys both inside and out) and is free roaming (in that room) full time.

Very affectionate in the afternoon and before bed - in the morning he really likes to have time to himself to chew wooden blocks, etc.

The one toy that we found that he doesn't chew (but plays with obsessively) is a cheap orange ping pong ball. It is just a little too large for him to get his beak around, which is the only reason it has survived.

Today, however, he has it in his larger cage and has been exhibiting nesting behavior - shredding the material on the cage bottom in the corner, and then squatting over the ping pong ball, wings slightly spread to hide it from sight, head down and clacking at me when I come into the room. Very much a "leave my egg alone" attitude.

Anyone else experience anything like this? If so, is it just a "spring time" thing?

Is there a chance that he is "Benjamina" instead? We don't have papers and were only told that he had been sexed as male.

Many thanks,

Amy and Howy

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

How old is Benji?? It certainly sounds like he/she is doing the nesting thing,but after all...it IS spring time out there .

Honestly,you aren't certain his papers are correct?? I think if Benji mine, I'd have "him" retested,this time you would know for certain. JMHO here,mind you.



Jim

 

[AmynHowy]

How old is Benji?? It certainly sounds like he/she is doing the nesting thing,but after all...it IS spring time out there .

Honestly,you aren't certain his papers are correct?? I think if Benji mine, I'd have "him" retested,this time you would know for certain. JMHO here,mind you.



Jim

Hi Jim!

Thanks for the response!

No papers were included - he is a "2nd hand rescue" I suppose - the first owner was supposedly neglectful, the second owners seemed to like him and care for him, but could not keep him (had him supposedly only a week before passing him on to us.) He is supposed to be "about 2 years old" but we have no verification of that, or his gender. A lot of "supposes" I know, but that is all we have to go on.

We have located an avian vet near us, so he will be going in soon for a thorough checkover.

Luckily, the hatching behavior only seems to last an hour or so, then he goes back to his normal, happy interactive self. But it has been repeated a couple of times today.

Best,
Amy and Howy

 

[plumsmum2005]

Yes agree it sounds pretty likely that he is a she but have that test done for sure.

IMO it is best to avoid items/toys that bring out hormonal/nesty behaviour. Parrots are usually their most challenging at these times so if it can be avoided/not increased then all the better.

Have a move round of the toys already there and create foraging activity to keep Benjamin busy. Pay attention if this behaviour increases to bedtime and start to limit amount of daylight hours Benji is up.

Why are there two cages? Do you have a tree or hanging boings,cargo nets, plastic chains etc as these are good at keeping parrots busy and active whilst out of the cage, the trees can be really good for adding activities onto.

Just an idea, perhaps keep one cage as 'home' with all the favourites in and make the other one a playstand instead, closed up but using the outside area, boings can be hung down to it etc? WDYT?

 

[Scott]

Thanks for rescuing and giving Benji a nice new home! Cockatoos are frequently re-homed for a wide variety of reasons. Hopefully you will be his forever parronts! While you don't suggest significant behavioral problems, be advised there is a "honeymoon" period during which time Benji is sizing up his environment. Thus far it seems he is very happy with his plentiful room and freedom!

A "well check" with the avian vet is always a good idea, if for no reason other than to establish a base-line. DNA sexing is relatively inexpensive if you desire confirmation. A very general clue is eye color; male cockatoos are typically dark black while females have a brownish iris. This has been 100% accurate for me, but there are exceptions!