Sexual Maturity?

[sleeepy2]

I have been reading that Amazons (all birds, actually) can be aggressive during the mating season when the bird is sexually mature. When is the breeding season? I would guess springtime, but I'm just guessing. Cleo (male) is 43, is there a birdie "menopause"? Or will he always be sexually capable, and agggressive during the mating season?

[JSimko]

I do not know, however if my parakeet is correct it is all year round. She is always flirting with our green cheek conure. To her disappointment he has no interest.

[Jenny]

What kind of bird did you say you have again? A yellow-nape? Yellow napes, along with blue-fronteds and dbl yellow-heads are known as the "hot three" amazons (I didn't come up with that) because they tend to get the most aggressive during breeding season. However, after a few years, that most always lessens. I doubt you need to worry much with Cleo because of his age, but if he does show slight aggression, just back off and leave him alone more until he's over with it. Don't make it a big deal if he shows some aggression because it's not him being mean, so don't take it personally. Also, if he's not trained, (as in step-ups), then you need to teach him that. As far as when the breeding season is, in the wild it's in spring/summer, but in captivity it's not always that way. Usually more hours of daily sunlight and fresh foods triggers the sign that it's breeding season for birds.

[sleeepy2]

Thanks! I think part of the problem is, I inherited Cleo (from grandparents) and knew very little about parrot behavior. Unfortunately, I let him sit on my shoulder whenever he wanted to. I've been reading how that's not such a hot idea and am currently trying to train him to stay on my wrist. He doesn't like it one bit, but I'm sticking to my guns on this one.