Managing Nesting in Forpus Parrots (Pacific Parrotlets)

Managing Nesting in Forpus Parrots (Pacific Parrotlets)
Many bird parents might wonder when they should put up a nest box and when they should remove it.

Forpus parrots reach reproductive maturity and can begin mating and laying eggs at around 18 months of age. This article is specifically for owners who keep their birds as pets (like their own children) and do not intend to breed them.

Signs of Egg Production You can tell your little one is starting to produce eggs when they become more reclusive and begin plucking feathers from the middle of their chest to line a nest. Their droppings will also become noticeably larger than usual; because they are hiding away, they will excrete less frequently but in larger amounts.

When to Provide a Nest Box So, when should you put up a nest? Once you notice your bird's lower abdomen starting to bulge, combined with the behaviors mentioned above, it is a clear sign that egg production has begun. Providing a nest box gives the bird a safer, more private space. Importantly, it reduces the risk of egg binding, which can happen if they lack a suitable place to lay their eggs.

Setting Up the Nest The nest box should be lined with appropriate bedding material, such as wood shavings, wood chips, or crushed corncob. It should have a single entrance/exit, and the box should be placed in a quiet, undisturbed location.

The Incubation Process Once egg-laying begins, the male bird will go in and out to forage and then return to feed the female. The female will spend almost the entire day inside the nest incubating the eggs. If there is no male bird to fulfill this role, you may need to serve millet sprays directly inside the nest box or be ready to provide food whenever the female comes out to eat.

Egg-Laying Timeline A female Forpus will typically lay a continuous clutch of 4 to 8 eggs. Each egg is laid 24 to 48 hours apart, meaning you will usually see a new egg at least every other day. If she hasn't laid a new egg for more than 3 days, the clutch is complete. However, her abdomen will remain slightly swollen for about another week before her reproductive tract fully recovers and her belly returns to normal.

How to Remove the Eggs and Nest There are a few techniques for removing the nest:

Gradual Removal: You can gradually remove one egg per day to minimize the emotional stress on the mother bird.
Sudden Removal: Alternatively, you can remove them all at once. She might be a bit shocked and will likely frantically search for her eggs for about a day, but this method is also acceptable.
Important Note: It is highly recommended that you only remove the eggs after the clutch is complete and she has stopped laying. Removing eggs while she is still actively producing them can stimulate her body to continuously lay more eggs without stopping, which can be dangerous to her health.