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Re: CONGO AFRICAN GREY MATING RITUAL
Posted by Alabama on 11/19/07

Hi Pete,
Its not as much mating behavior as it is just bonded
behavior. Pairs who are well bonded exhibit most of what
you've detailed here. The feeding and preening etc. Even
birds of the same sex/different species can bond and show
much of the behavior you've described.

Mating behavior usually includes a fair amount of aggression
and getting territorial. The hen starts to look for
something suitable to nest in, which in the wild would be a
hollowed out tree, in capitivity it would be a nest box, in
your case, no telling what she'll turn to. Something close
and dark if she can find it.

The lack of a suitable breeding set up might stop them
from progressing from just bonded behavior. I had to shut
down my breeders for several years and I just pulled boxes
down. Nothing laid eggs in that time period. They have all
rejoiced in the return of their boxes, my african grey hen
was so happy she laid four eggs and hatched all four
babies. They are beautiful.

Eye color will tell you if a chick is under a year old, they
are born with black eyes. And hens can start breeding as
young as two. Many don't but they can. I hope some of this
helps. For the most part, just enjoy your beautiful birds,
they sound like they are quite a pair.

Posts on this thread, including this one

• CONGO AFRICAN GREY MATING RITUAL, 11/19/07, by Pete.
• Re: CONGO AFRICAN GREY MATING RITUAL, 11/19/07, by Alabama.
• Re: CONGO AFRICAN GREY MATING RITUAL, 11/20/07, by Pete.