My year-old lovebird has always shredded paper and tucked the shreds in her backside. That behavior has accelerated this spring. After today’s very informative talk on hormones I wonder if I should stop giving her paper to shred?she is manic about shredding lately!
I am assuming she is a female because of this behavior.
Hi Marilyn,
It’s always good to know our webinars are helping pet bird owners. Yes, you are correct – it’s time to take the paper away! Lovebirds are notorious shredders and the Peach Faced lovebird will collect these in the tail feathers, usually to take to a nest. Of course your single bird doesn’t need the nest, and you don’t need the hormonal behavior. You could have a male, as both sexes will do this. The female lovebirds will actually be more territorial than males and will often become cage aggressive. So if she starts to charge people when they walk past her cage, then I’m sure you have a female. If she does this, it’s best to stick train her or find a way to get her away from her cage so you can handle her. Once out of sight of the cage, the females usually behave.
Dr. Lamb will be presenting part 2 of her talk this Friday:
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
