"female time"

[zoeysdad]

in a few years when my bird becomes mature, how should i go about minimizing the effects of that time of the month . shes just a baby now so i have time, but i want to prepare. thx in advance

[hveusnthbrige]

Birds dont menstruate as humans do. There is no pre-menstrual syndrome whereas pain causes emotional discomfort either. There is however a "time of the year" where daylight reaches 10-12 hour lengths and the birds' hormones begin to tell it things like... put your butt in the water bowl... go sit on that ping-pong ball... make a nest out of paper shreds... or non behavioural factors such as the body begins to produce eggs and lay them. If you are the birds' mate, the bird will expect you to mate with it and might "display" to you where it turns away from you and lifts its pygostyle(tail part) toward you in the air and fans its tail feathers out... yes your bird wants to make babies with you when this happens.

 

But all in all, no time of the month and dare I say, thank god. /ducks and runs...:silly:

[HeatherStrella]

I'm glad to hear this!!!!

[Guest briansmum]

do males do a similar thing.. i mean obviously they aren't going to lay eggs, but is there a behaviour they go through?

[hveusnthbrige]

Yes male birds, or better known as cocks, have far more intense behavioural reactions. They will display by straightening all their feathers on end and faning their tail. Likely they will become very territorial over both their cage and their mate, again, possibly you. A flighted bird will likely charge someone "competing for your affection" and attack them by biting their face. Cocks will also begin to create a nest as a way of showing off how sexy they are! Their bulding materials might include: the dinning room table, the end table beside your bed, a nice straw and bamboo room accent feature... or something more availible like their perch or toys.

 

I enjoy reading many books about avian behaviour, they usually arent boring at all and you will learn so much about your bird if you read a few too.:side:

[Guest briansmum]

thank you very much geoff. i have ready a few books and lots of articles myself but they mostly seem to focus on female sexual behaviour. your info has been very helpful. my little guy isn't even 5 months yet so it won't be a problem for a while, but i now know exacty what to watch out for when he reaches maturity. you can have a karma for your knowlage

[zoeysdad]

thank u guys for all the info, i really appreciate it.

[HeatherStrella]

What age do they start the mating behaviors? I thought I read 6 years of age but not sure....is it the same for both females and males??

[hveusnthbrige]

Different birds live different length lives. A Budgie can live to be 12 years abouts so it's generally sexually mature around 3-6 months. A Cockatiel lives about 30 years an will be mature around 6-12 months of age.

 

In the case of a Grey which lives to about 70 years as an average age, it will have more variation in how quickly it matures. Some Greys will be fully ready for breeding after 3 years. These birds that mature after only 3 years are capable of breeding yet the likeliness of success is low because of mostly inexperience with brooding the young and the slightly overpowered hormones that need time to balance out. Think of a factory that was built with no concern for quality, just finish it and start to produce products asap!

 

Then you get your more typical Greys that begin sexual maturity around 4 years of age and are fully intellectually and biologically ready to breed at about 6 years. So as far as what you asked HeatherStrella, when do they start mating behaviours? As early as 3 years but more likely at about 4 years old you will see it.

 

Unfortunatly, this is the event that brings on severe desire for independence and frustration with not being able to locate or attract a suitable mate(if it's not you). This is when most birds get pawned off at parrot rescue centers or rehomed due to these new and undesirable behaviours. Babies are cute and funny, but stuff grows up and when it does you have a disgruntled old man! or Woman!

[judygram]

Things can get pretty testy when the hormones get to raging, if it is anything like we humans. I know the greys will act somewhat differently and it will be a trying time for them and us. Not looking forward to it but will weather it when it happens.