Is this bad?

[KellyA]

Our new re-homed B&G macaw Gizmo who is 11 years old has been doing somethin odd. He/she? has a large toy with a bell and a few other things hangin from it in his cage. I just noticed this yesterday, Gizmo sits under this hangin toy and spreads out his feathers and lets the toy rest on his back. Gizmo then makes a tiny funny sound. We are not sure if Gizmo is a he or she but this behavior kinda seems to be sexual. I wasn't sure if I sould move the toy and put it at a higher level so Gizmo couldn't let it rest on his back. Or sould I leave it where it is, it does keep Giz quite for at least a little while. I just didn't want to be promotin any egg layin...if Giz turns out to be a she.

[Monica]

You should probably move the toy (wont necessarily discourage the behavior), and get Giz DNA sexed for your safety of mind!

[r2rusmc]

My almost one year old male macaw does that all the time. I never really worried about it. I've thought about adding one of those cozy hutch dohicky things to see if he'd like that.

mmmm would hate to think it is a bad thing.

[macawlover]

Sounds as if Gizmo might be a girl! lol

[huntress]

Yup, sounds like Gizzy is a Girl to me too.

[kellywess]

My Marvin (Severe) does that too with his happy hut (he tries to lay on his back on top of it - likes to grab his tail feathers while on his back with one foot and rubs his head with the other... its quite silly to watch) and he has a toy he(she) puts over his head so it will tickle his(her) back. I keep telling my husband that Marvin is a girl but he doubts me. I just ignore the behavior. Its that time of year.