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Quakers building a thached roof?

Yonads

Sitting on the front steps
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I have a pair of Quakers, a happy couple, M+F who mate but have not had any eggs yet.
They have their cage, and a nest box - which they go into - but never bring anything in there. In fact, whatever I put in (nest material such us small branches, palm fronds, etc) get taken out almost immediately.
I usually give them fresh palm fronds to play with in their cage (and also hope they will build a nest) but they just chew on them and destroy them.

Today, I added a new bunch of palm fronds and they started working right away at threading the leaves through the top of the cage, almost as if they are building a thatched roof.
All they can do is stick their beaks through so they can't get the layers higher, and I don't think they can build lower (hanging down), so it does not seem like they are building a nest.
So my question: What are they doing? Building a nice little roof on their cage? (They are indoors, not in the sun, in a very comfortable setting).

I'm so curious to know where they are going with this. Anybody see this before?
 

Monaco

Rollerblading along the road
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The nests (wild population) I have seen are some serious architecture! I'm very curious about it too!
 

Ali

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Very interesting!! I can't really help you, but if you can, I would love to see some pictures of this engineering masterpiece!

Ali
 

Mizzely

Lil Monsters Bird Toys
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They are perhaps the only species of parrot that builds a nest and isn't a cavity nester (ie, finding a hole in a tree). It's usually a huge, multi room structure that the whole flock can live in.

640px-Myiopsitta_monachus_-nests-8.jpg

Your thatched roof sounds like that are starting their own nest :)
 

tka

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I think it's @CrazyBirdChick's Blu who constructs incredible structures - she's posted photos before of his weaving. If I remember correctly, it also triggers territoriality in him so watch out for your fingers!
 

Mizzely

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I think it's @CrazyBirdChick's Blu who constructs incredible structures - she's posted photos before of his weaving. If I remember correctly, it also triggers territoriality in him so watch out for your fingers!
I'd be territorial too if I put that much effort into something :lol:
 

tjc

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My Quaker uses wooden skewers to weave in and out of the bars. He may spend the entire day weaving. And they are tight too. I have a wire platform his sleeping hut sits above. He does get more hormonal in the spring weaving.
 
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