I agree and will certainly monitor her closely, but she loves to have a private area, she's always had one just for her, and It doesn't feel right not giving her one.
Uh oh, I'm sorry, I feel a story coming on..)
When she laid her two eggs a few years ago she became very territorial and for the first time in her life, wanted nothing to do with me. If I came near her box, she lunged at me. I understood though, she had 'babies' to protect. I just made sure she had plenty of food and water, read to the other birds where she could see and hear, and after a month she
abandoned the infertile eggs.
I waited a few days and then let her see my hands near them.. I asked if it was OK to say bye bye eggies now and I think she kind-of understood me.
She let me pick them up and then followed me out of the room, down the stairs, through the house, out the deck door, outside, across the deck, down to the grass, across a tiny little puddle-like creek with an itty-bitty bridge I'd built and into the woods. I knelt down next to her next and said bye-bye eggies. She mouthed them a tiny bit and then went off to dig up tufts of grass and fling them into the air, one of her favorite games.
I tossed the eggies far into the woods and let her play for awhile since she hadn't been out in over a month, and then we went back inside.
I'm very happy to report that our relationship returned to it's normal very bonded very loving way.
Of course, that's just us.. not all birds do that.
For example, I had a male Blue Crowned Conure that I hand raised and had a very loving relationship with. I brought home a female Blue Crown rescue when he was about 7 years old and from that SECOND he wanted nothing to do with me ever again for the rest of his life. My sweet loving little boy
turned downright aggressive whenever I approached. But he was happy with his lady friend and I was happy for him, even if I did miss my little baby bat an awful lot.
Anyway, back to the hide-y holes.. When Madison's cranky or wants some alone time, she retreats off to her private area and stays there quietly for awhile.. (like a little kid hiding in the closet planning the next attack) Sometimes she'll drag a toy up there and just play quietly by herself for a few hours. Sometimes she'll just take a nap. I'm the same way, I like to be left alone (from humans anyway, not animals) I wonder if she picked it up from me
She usually has a box but until we add one onto the new cage she'll have some sort of huge soft cloth tent to play peek-a-boo in.. her favorite game.
She also loves some nice flat-foot time, so I'm planning to add a big flat platform somewhere in there, made of safe wood. Maybe a big ole hole in the middle with a thick
dowel through the center so she can play fireman.. (she absolutely LOVES to slide down poles)
I have to be careful to leave room for Madison in her new cage, I'm doing way to much shopping..lol.
The other birds will have no room in their cages either.
I've been shopping in the true love aviary site and my shopping cart is filling up, lol.
So far I'm getting a heated perch for Madison and my Amazon, Rocky (Tyler, my Grey already has one he adores)
A cozy hiding spot each for Madison and Rocky. (Tyler doesn't like anything to be in his cage, nor does he seem to like anything softer than a cheap towel)
A Extra large Bungie for Madison, and a Large one For Rocky, Tyler can't handle one with his gimp leg and foot.
I saw this wacky wood perch that looks fun for Madison, I think it probably moves all over the place when you try to climb on it. Just checking up to see what the chain is made of. I can just see her swinging from that by one toe going crazy
I got a dowel perch with a little cloth canopy on the sides that looks like lots of fun. It's too colorful for Rocky but Madison will love it.
I grabbed a bunch of multi branch perches of different sizes to help keep the feeties healthy and I even grabbed a silly little 'coffee table perch' because Madison LOVES standing on top of tiny flat things
I can't wait to see her face when she sees the new cage and all the new stuff. Then it'll just be a short time till everyone gets here and they can all have wonderful new toys!
Wow, I can go on.. lol.. sorry.. I'll blame my medicine. It's so nice to be back here with you guys and not stuck in the hospital, ringing a bell, staring at pictures of my birds...
-Sarah & Flock