Advice Needed

Okay, I have a Double Yellow Head Amazon, 18 years old. I recently lost my African Grey, so needless to say his behavior has changed, since he is now, hopefully temporarily, the sole pet in the house. I have always tried to discourage the "mating" behavior, and usually I'm successful, but today he initiated it just seeing me, I didn't even have to pick him up. I went with my gut and walked away from the cage, and came back later, and it seemed to have passed. He makes a lot more noise, but my impression is that's because my Grey is no longer there keeping him company.

I know this isn't good, and it kinda worries me, so I would like some advice on how to stop it. What techniques have you used that have worked?

I don't know if he is male or female, by the way. I use "he" just by default.

advice? suggestions?

I don't think you can stop basic biology. Most parrots are in mating mode at the moment from what I understand, mine too. You don't want to encourage it at all (I literally say to Kazi, "I love you too, but we can't have that kind of relationship.") but I'm fairly certain you can't stop it, because if I could stop Kazi's behavior. I'd do it in a hot second.

You can try getting a few more humans involved in interacting with him and providing care for him, in other words, socialize him more with a range of other people. That way, he might think of you as just another member of his flock rather than be his one and only love interest and breeding partner.

Also, you can try reducing the amount of daylight hours by closing the curtains, turning off the lights, putting on his cage cover, etc, so that he thinks the breeding season is over.

Of course, don't do anything to encourage his breeding instinct by feeding things to him from your mouth, rubbing his vent, etc.

I think really all you can do is ignore it. My Grey is doing some of the same. All I have to do sometimes is go over to her cage and she suddenly starts making us a nest and regurgitating. I just walk away until she has settled down for awhile.

That's helpful. had forgotten about shortening the light time... the suggestions are helpful. thanks. any others suggestions will be appreciated

There are a few other suggestions, limit excess crude fat. Feed more fresh veggies/fruit and less seed/nuts or "junk" food. If humidity is low, use a humidifier, or offer lots of baths. Move his cage out of the corner ,away from the wall. Out on a play stand would be better than in his cage. Maybe hang more toys or some different ones and remover the favorite ones.Someone said something about socializing him more,the answer to most zon problems.This would really help, but if he's hormonal this may not be the time.Still, bringing in some new "distractions" might help get him out of his comfort zone. Zons will have hormonal issues and think it's just time for your's to have his, Keep it short and don't encourage things and he should give up soon if there's no satisfaction and reward. I'd use the least favorite person to interact with him more,If it looks like he's becoming more cage aggressive,then you as the favorite person ,need to be careful about spending too much time with him.Of course, if you've had a zon for 18 yrs then much of this is old hat, but with his change in lifestyle, it might have triggered his hormones for the first time. If your CAG was the more outgoing of the two birds,then he might be coming into his own as the big bird.( but i can't imagine a CAG being more outgoing than a Male DYH). Good luck and hope to see you around on the forum.

When Fred, our double yellow head, was 17, my wife was out of work for a few months and spent a great deal of time with "him". In doing so she did not discourage his romantic inclinations -- allowing the romance to get out of hand and come to "fruition" -- if you get my drift. Fred laid an egg. You can't prevent the biology of your bird, but if your bird is a female, you want to discourage egg laying. If the bird is out of the cage and getting romantic, he or she will want to snuggle up. Prevent that behavior by gently moving the bird away, and perhaps saying "no". In my experience, if there is no, uh, "climax" to the event, there will be no egg. Also, if your bird is unduly interested in dark closets and cabinets, don't indulge that desire by permitting entry into dark confined spaces. He or she is looking for a place to make a nest, and will forever associate that spot with the nest, and become very defensive when in the area.

By following those simple rules, Fred is now 35, and no more eggs. (-8