Perhaps a dumb question

[BeatriceC]

I've never dealt with a female bird before Charlotte, so I'm not sure if this is normal behavior. Charlotte likes to play on the couch. But often times she tried to build a nest out of the slip covers and pillows. Is this behavior normal? Should I allow it? Should I try harder to divert her attention? Should I give her stuff in her cage for her to build a nest? I don't really want to encourage egg laying if I shouldn't be, but I'm a little out of my element here.

 

[Scott]

**Not a dumb question!!**

Seems like normal behavior, but assuming Charlotte is a pet, I'd draw the line at a next box. Many females love nest boxes, but this can stimulate egg-laying and more aggressive maternal behaviors. Unless you are going to breed Charlotte, try a variety of toys and other distracting items.

 

[Notdumasilook]

Strange as it may seem... I have a male BFA that request that I make him a nest/ hidey-hole out of pillows and a cover on the couch daily... He has also "adopted" my Sun Conure "Booger' as his child... complete with the protective behavior, preening, and feeding Booger crop milk... just like a wild bird daddy would do. Both of them play in and out of the hidey-hole nest and its really does not seem to be a problem, being both are male and I don't have to worry about stimulating egg laying. You however, being you have a female you really need to discourage egg laying (IMHO). Say on TV they have a birdy birth control thing a vet can give to tone down the egg laying/ hormonal behavior. I wish they had this many years ago because I lost a bird that layed itself to death. Good luck