Carrier crazy

[Kalidasa]

Ok, when I got Nika, my GCC, I wanted to make sure she would readily go in a carrier in case she had to go somewhere, so I introduced her to a pet carrier for a cat or small dog disguised in a pillow-fort. She loved it, it's lined with a knit baby blanket and her fave toys, and she jumps in it whenever I want.
Ok, confession time, I made the SUPREMELY STUPID decision to let her sleep in it for a few nights in my bed with me (door closed). Well, she loved that so much that she was hard to put down for a while, making a fuss wanting to sleep with me. I CANNOT keep that up, it would mean I'd have to be in bed lights out by like 10pm.
She loves playing in there, and loves it when I play with her while she's in there (ball, peek-a-boo, whatever). I'm worried how this could affect her psyche, I don't want her nesting or (god forbid) laying an egg. Does anyone know about this? It seems like like might be in "heat" or something, because when I lay my hand in there now for her to scratch up against, her tail goes up super high and she makes vocalizations I've never heard before. But other than that, everything's perfect.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

lol It may be breeding behavior. Most parrots associate a carrier with a vet, so they aren't all that excited. Nika now thinks of it as a play thing, plus plastic carriers are like little cages. I suggest hiding it and only taking it out when you need to transport her.

 

[weco]

If your cat/dog carrier is of a plastic mesh, be careful Nika doesn't start chewing on it..... & yes, tail raising in a nest box/cavity is a mating invitation.....also, pets/scritches should only be done on a bird's head, above it's shoulders.....touching a bird elsewhere is reserved for its mate, so be careful.....

 

[Kalidasa]

Thanks guys, I'm taking that advice. Copperarabian, I sincerely hope your mom makes a speedy recovery, I was quite worried when I read your post last nite. Stay strong!