excessive nesting

[Mborda]

I volunteer with parrots at a local zoo. Our female Macaw is constantly nesting on the bottom of her cage. She isn't laying anything, is the center of attention in a reptile/bird house, gets plenty of rest, eats VERY healthy.

My concern is her becoming egg bound should she actually be trying to lay eggs. Her health has not declined, but I'm concerned this may not be normal.

Any suggestions? Is this normal? Should we be doing anything to "encourage" her not to do this? She hasn't bonded to anyone, so she's not handled to often.

Monique

 

[MikeyTN]

Is there a grate on the bottom of her cage??? Is there newspaper on the bottom of the cage that she's trying to get to? Are there toys enticing her to go after? I'm just surprised being at a zoo situation that no one is trying to handle her. I would try to handle her and train her to come out to play.

 

[MonicaMc]

There must be something triggering her to nest... could be diet, could be lighting, could be something else. If you remove the triggers to her being hormonal, this should help stop her from being so "nesty" - and no, it's not normal for her to be nesty for a long time.