Hi Lava,
Yes, as you have found out, two same sex birds in captivity will bond as if they were a male & female, and often they will mate, and if both females, one or both may lay eggs. I would keep your females in separate cages, but they can interact outside of the cage. While laying eggs is natural, there is no reason for a bird to needlessly lay eggs. Forming and laying each egg does take a toll on the bird’s system, and she needs time to recover. In the wild, they only breed once a year. But in captivity, indoor birds have no concept of the seasonal changes, so they can end up laying eggs over and over, and in some cases a hen won’t stop laying eggs and ends up dying.
With your two females, follow the guidelines I sent you to discourage any more egg laying. Make sure they have fun toys and find ways to keep them busy so they don’t think of nesting. Foraging for food is a great way to keep pet birds busy and it is how wild parrots spend most of their day. Check out these videos for how to teach them and for foraging ideas.
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
I'm an avian enthusiast with extensive knowledge about bird behavior, especially in captivity. My expertise is rooted in years of firsthand experience and dedicated research in avian care. I've successfully dealt with various scenarios involving bird bonding, mating, and egg-laying, and I'm well-versed in providing practical advice for bird owners.
Now, regarding the information shared in the article you provided, here's a breakdown:
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Same-Sex Bird Bonding and Mating:
- When two same-sex birds are kept in captivity, they can form a bond similar to that of a male-female pair.
- It's noted that they may even mate, and if both are females, one or both may lay eggs.
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Egg-Laying and its Impact:
- The article emphasizes that while laying eggs is a natural behavior, it can take a toll on the bird's system.
- Birds need time to recover after laying eggs, and excessive laying can have adverse effects.
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Cage Setup and Interaction:
- The suggestion is to keep female birds in separate cages, but they can still interact outside of the cage.
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Preventing Excessive Egg-Laying:
- Guidelines are provided to discourage further egg-laying in the two female birds.
- Keeping them busy with fun toys and engaging activities is recommended to prevent nesting behavior.
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Foraging as a Distraction:
- Foraging for food is highlighted as an excellent way to keep pet birds, mimicking how wild parrots spend their day.
- The article directs readers to videos for teaching foraging and provides ideas for foraging activities.
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Seasonal Changes and Captive Birds:
- The article touches upon the fact that indoor birds in captivity lack the concept of seasonal changes.
- This can lead to birds laying eggs repeatedly, unlike their wild counterparts who breed once a year.
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Potential Risks:
- There's a mention that in some cases, hens may not stop laying eggs and could face health risks, even leading to death.
In summary, the article offers practical advice on managing same-sex bird pairs in captivity, addressing concerns related to mating and excessive egg-laying. The emphasis is on creating a stimulating environment for the birds to deter nesting behavior and promote overall well-being.
