Is this a hormonal behaviour?

Stino12 · Sep 12, 2020

Hey guys,

My female Eclectus has been chewing up the paper lining on her cage floor in one corner every time I clean her cage out. She's about 1y 8 months. I'd say she's been doing this for a few months. Just wondering if this could be hormonal? Or maybe she's just being a butt like usual 😅 It's not anything worrying, I'm just curious about what's behind it.

wrench13 · Sep 12, 2020

Generally you want to provide zero types of material that can be transformed into nest building material. I suggest putting the papers under the grill bottom of the cage, at least until she is thru her first mating season, puberty. At 1.8 years she could be on the cusp of hitting puberty, so its a good idea to thinking about other triggers:

Dark hidey holes and confined spaces
Lower sugar intake, in any form
Of course no touching anywhere but the head and neck
No access to nesting materials, no matter how off the reservation you might think those could be
More activities, toys and new stimulation for her brain

And try to remember that these personality changes, it any, are transient and will pass, especially if she is a healthy, socialized and well engaged parrot.

SailBoat · Sep 12, 2020

At her age, likely a bit early for it being clear-cut hormonal behavior. Likely a bit of early; being a female and nest building hardwired behavior.

Note: As she become older and more likely effected by full-on hormonal rush of chemicals, it will be very helpful to understand what part of this huge World you live as it does have an effect on 'some' aspects of timing.

There are a number of very helpful Threads in the Eclectus Forum that cover Life and Living with Eclectus and their very special needs, like Diet.

noodles123 · Sep 12, 2020

When my bird is hormonal, she does this. I stopped using a liner for this reason and just clean the metal.

chris-md · Sep 12, 2020

I’m hesitant to assign this as hormonal behavior without further context of other behaviors. My ekkie will occasionally go to the bottom of his cage and shred some of his newspaper if he’s in a mood. It’s never really about hormones for him.

Ekkietiel · Sep 12, 2020

I wouldn't necessarily say it's hormonal. It's something to watch and make sure it doesn't turn into a nest, no doubt. But some birds like the sound and texture of paper shredding. My Ekkie (male) loves shredding paper just to do it. I'll ball up a bunch of paper and put it in an old box of Triscuits or something and close it. He'll dig into the box just to enjoy the paper. Mainly make sure she isn't eating it or nesting with it.

Stino12 · Sep 12, 2020

Thanks guys! I'm going to assume she's building a nest. I should have added in the last month she's getting a little aggressive when I clean the bottom of her cage (everywhere else is fine). She does love ripping up paper but this one seems very calculated compared to her normal messy self &#55357;&#56837;

Laurasea · Sep 12, 2020

Welcome to the forum, gorgeous parrot.
Could also be part boredom
Make sure plenty of easy to destroy stuff, work on foraging, and activities
Also when weather permits and with cage secured , I ziptie tge bottom and all doors abd wheel the cage outs under shade abd stay with em! But having time outside is so beneficial to them! It really does help mood and behavior and featger quality.

Cycletim · Sep 12, 2020

Did the cage come with a bottom set of bars ? That slide out? That will help with her grabbing the news papers and getting hormonal. Also, wood foot toys are great for bottom of the cage playing. Our grey loves them. Our red belly could careless lol. They are all different. Good luck.

Is this a hormonal behaviour?

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