...what the heck

[eeldridge0914]

My little Schmee takes baths all the time. But today, he's been doing something... different. He is 'bathing' in his food!!?? His dish is big enough for him to crawl into. He's in there, flinging food all over the place, feathers puffed out, spinnin around, just like bath time! He's not eating while he's going this. This is the wierdest thing i've never seen any birds do this before! What's he doing?

[jenseits]

Yeah, Stewie has done that before. It seemed to me like he was making himself comfortable in his "nest". I discourage any sort of nesty behavior, but to be honest I wasn't sure what he was doing.

[Monica]

Some birds enjoy taking dust bathes... supposedly to help get rid of bugs and such that might be in their feathers....
YouTube - Dust bath bird

However, I don't think seeds count as 'dust'...
YouTube - Eat while your in the bath....Quails!!!

[Indy]

Don't start worrying just yet. It could be a phase your love baby is going through. My love babies Indy and Mindy went through the same phase 10 months ago and eventually they seemed to get bored doing it.

My theory is they were bored and this new behavior distracted them. Ever since I played music during their 12 hour waking period (70's hits and classical symphonies, and recordings of real birds of every species) they stopped this behavior. My theory is the music keeps them distracted.

I shuffle almost 500 songs on my iPod connected to stereo speakers that are timed to go off and on during their waking period. Right now Indy has planted his head into Mindy's breast feathers, and is singing to her contentedly to some 70's song. It's so cute.

Lovebirds like all parrots get easily bored and need constant distraction. A variety of music is the best way, but they just love hearing other birds (of every species) singing and communicating, solo or in forest settings.

[shosh]

My lovie, Bindi, started to do this and then laid an egg in the food dish. Really pissed me off, too, before I realized what was going on because they get Harrison's pellets and at the cost of the darn things, she really shouldn't be tossing them out and nesting in the food dish.....much money landed on the cage bottom.
Are you sure that Schmee is a boy?

[eeldridge0914]

What is the "12 hour waking period" that Indy mentioned? And.. no, i suppose i dont know at all that Schmee is a boy! I just claimed him to be so because of his dark colors lol. Schmee and the Professor just moved in together, into a big cage, so maybe... schmee thinks its time for babies?! I really have no idea! Either way.. he seriously has been in there ALL DAY and yes, wasting lots of money! Pellets, seeds, bananas... all over the floor! I will definetly keep an eye out for changes..or eggs?!!

[Indy]

Originally Posted by eeldridge0914

What is the "12 hour waking period" that Indy mentioned?

To answer your question, that is the period of time during daylight when the Lovebirds are awake, after which they sleep for 12 hours at night.

In theory, turning out the lights for 12 hours at night to allow Lovebirds to sleep, lessens the chance they will breed or lay eggs. Apparently, if Lovebirds get a good 12 hours of sleep each night, they are less likely to breed and lay eggs. Don't ask me why. I just know that so far, it works. My Lovebirds Indy and Mindy have bred frequently (but Mindy has not laid any eggs), and they have been with me for almost a year, and they are over a year old.

[Indy]

Meet Indy and Mindy, two very rested Lovebirds who chirp quietly as they dream, in one of their frequently intimate moments together...





(Click on the images to see enlarged photos showing details of their gorgeous plumage.)

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Indy

Apparently, if Lovebirds get a good 12 hours of sleep each night, they are less likely to breed and lay eggs. Don't ask me why. I just know that so far, it works.

Too much light is in indication that it's breeding season. Parrots begin to breed when the days get longer, so cutting down on the sunlight/waking time tells their bodies it's not the right time for babies.

[eeldridge0914]

Indy your birds are beautiful! They look just like Schmee! I have never heard about the 12 hour thing... Being a college student I am usually up at 7 and awake until 12:30-1:30 in the morning doing homework. I do cover my birds when I go to bed, but not until I turn lights out. Maybe they're not getting enough sleep, that does make sense. From now on I will start covering them up earlier at night. Just since I uncovered them about an hour ago (9:00 am) Schmee is in that dish throwing food and dancing like crazy! Does this mean He is a She?!!! lol.