Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,

I have had my female parakeet Skye for around 4-5 years, since she was a baby. When I take her out of her cage, she's fine and usually sits on my shoulder or hangs out near me and just does her own thing. In the past week or so I've noticed some pretty strange behavior from her. I'm pretty sure I can guess that she's attempting to nest an infertile egg (because she's the only bird), but I just wanted the opinion of someone who's more familar with birds. She is always hanging out on the bottom of her cage now, and it's like she's always pushing her bedding around and out of the cage, so I'm constantly having to sweep around her cage. She has never done this before. Also, she will hope on my finger now like she always does, but them bite and latch onto my finger! She'll play bite sometimes but not like this. It's like the second she gets on my finger she digs in and let me tell you it hurts! I try blowing at her to get her to stop because I know negative reinforcement isn't good. Also when I go to open her cage now and put a finger in so she can hop on it, she darts out at my trying to bite, like she's protecting her territory. I'm just wondering what to do now and how long this will last because it's frustrating that I can't take her out that much anymore cuz she hurts me. And why is she doing this now, since she hasn't done this in the whole time I've had her? Please help and give me some info on what to do and how to deal with this. Thanks!!!

-Harley

This could definitely be nesting or breeding behavior but it could also be sickness. Changes in personality, actions and staying around the bottom of the cage can all mean illness but yes they can also mean they are wanting to nest and want to be left alone. Birds can also become eggbound during this time and it would be a great idea to have her checked out by your avian vet just to make sure. If she has already been vet checked since this behavior started then I would definitely say nesting behavior and about the only thing you can do then is to be patient with her, keep trying and hope the mood passes soon.