How to Find Out if Birds Are Mating
You bought the birds hoping to find yourself in possession of a mated pair. But she seems unimpressed by his posing, and you can tell just by the way he's glaring out through the bars, all he can think is, "Wow, that is one uuuuugly cockatiel." You know what they say about the best laid plans... bear in mind, bonding between birds can take years and breeding only happens during certain times of year. What appears to be a fundamental personality clash can resolve itself over time. One day, you'll walk into the room and find them sharing the same perch, happily cooing at each other. And that's when you begin to wonder, are they or aren't they?
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Instructions
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Watch for drastic transformations in normal behavior. If your birds begin to exhibit aggression or distinct personality changes, treating you in a hostile manner, they may be trying to chase away perceived competition or protect their impending family.
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Keep an eye on your male bird for signs of showing off, preening for the ladies, or otherwise strutting his stuff. In most breeds, it is the male who works to attract the female. He will "kiss" the female, passing food to her as a demonstration of being a good provider.
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Check for nest construction. If your birds do not have a nesting box, you may want to provide one for them. If they are planning to raise a family, proper housing will be their primary goal in the beginning. Fill the bottom of the nesting box with pine shavings, and wait for the birds to start kicking the shavings out, while carrying other bits of material in to construct a nest that is to their liking.
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Peek inside the nest or nest box at least once a day. Establish a routine and check at approximately the same time each day. Looking in immediately after filling the feeders can help the birds develop a positive association, connecting something good (receiving food) with something that makes them uncomfortable (you poking around in their private arena).
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Check the droppings. Often, prior to laying a fertilized egg, the female's droppings will become thicker develop a noticeable, unpleasant aroma.
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Observe the shape of the female. She should develop a noticeable swelling in her lower abdomen prior to dropping the egg. The female may lay her eggs over a period of several days, though clutch size will vary with breed.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't be alarmed if your birds don't sit snugly on their clutch for the first few days. This is normal and allows all the eggs to hatch at approximately the same time. It's ok to touch the eggs- as long as you're careful. You can check them for fertilization using a process known as candling (see Resources).
Try not to handle birds while they are observing mating rituals as they may bite or otherwise try to inflict harm upon you- even if they were formerly docile pets. They will return to their former selves once the babies leave the nest. Be careful when handling birds who are exhibiting mating behaviors, as you may be unintentionally arousing them by stroking their feathers or touching the area near the vent. They may end up viewing you as a potential partner.
Resources
- Photo Credit wikimedia commons
