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Birds--General/prblem with my cockatoo

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Expert: - 3/5/2008


Question
my cockatoo has decided to build a nest at the bottom of his cage and refuses to let me go near him now, this is becumin very worrying for me as i am sure he has not mixed with any other female birds so can u tell me why he doin this and if there is anything i can give him to help him sort this matter out,but then how can i tell the sex of him wen the guy i bought it off 4yrs ago told me he wos a boy. please reply an answer my question,

Answer
Hi, Stevie,

Your cockatoo is most likely a she, not a he!  The previous owner obviously did not have the bird sexed/did not know how to sex this bird (or just told you the bird was a male and didn't know for sure).  She is building a nest at the bottom of her cage in preparation for laying eggs.  Since she has not been with a male, any eggs she lays will be infertile.  Yes, female birds can lay eggs without having been with a male, but the eggs will not be fertile.  If/when she does lay eggs, just leave them where she lays them until she abandons them on her own.  If you remove any eggs she lays, she will replace the ones you remove with new ones.  Excessive egg laying can be detrimental to her health.  Her behavior is normal for a bird about ready to lay eggs.

Try this website in order to help confirm the sex of your Too is a female.    http://www.birdsnways.com/cockatoo/sexing.htm

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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