Hi HowieDawn,

Well, I know a fair amount about birds. I have raised them and I love them. First of all, are you sure both birds are not female? Sometimes (and it's not that uncommon) birds of the same gender will bond, and even mate. Did you get the "male" DNA/blood tested so you are sure he is truly a he? If he is a he then, if they are truly a bonded pair, they will mate many times a day and appear so in love with each other that they can hardly even seperate.

If this is the case, they are proven opposite sexes, they mate all the time, they snuggle and preen and obviously adore each other to no end, then there's a good chance they will continue to breed, although the first two or three clutches may be unsuccessful (unfertle or destroyed eggs due to lack of experience). This is not uncommon. Let the female sit on the eggs for several weeks. She will probablly destroy the eggs if they are unfertil.

If you wanted to breed them, there's nesting boxes sold at many pet stores. They will need a nesting box, not a bowl on the bottom of the cage. Most of the poops fall to the bottom of the cage, and if the eggs are fertil (which is not likely because it's probablly their first attempt) then those hatchlings will need a clean, quiet, dark, warm, private environment in which to grow. Nesting boxes can attach either to a nesting box opening in the cage (alot of cages have this feature) or to the cage door. If you do plan to breed them I suggest you get a cage with an opening on the side or back for a nesting box attachment. Bowls may work for finches canaries and other non parrot species, but the parrots need a box attached to their cage in order to breed successfully.

If they do end up hatching chicks, the parents will do all the hard stuff, not much for you to worry about. But please keep in mind that birds need a huge variety of foods for proper health, especially when rearing chicks. If you give them a strictly seed diet, it's not only uninteresting and incomplete to the parents, but it may effect the growth and health of the chicks. In the wild they feed on many fruits, veggies, berries, grains, nuts. The healthier variety of cooked and raw fruits, veggies, pastas, rices, grains, and nuts (try to do organic as much as possible, they are more sensetive to chemicals then people) the parents consume, then the healthier and more vibrant both the parents and the chicks will be. I suggest getting a good book on parrot breeding if you want more tips. I am not sure if you already give them a varied diet, forgive me if you already knew that, not many people that I talk to are aware that birds should not be on a strict seed diet.

When a bird bonds to another bird, you are no longer an important part of that birds life...if you used to have a good relationship with the bird, then you got a bird friend, and the birds ended up bonding, you are kind of like an "ex-spouse", and therefore, they want their space and privacy. It's the unfortunate part of owning 2 bonded birds instead of one who is bonded to you. Also the mom bird will protect those eggs to no end. She's going to give her 100% into the protection of those eggs, they are, after all, her future children. There's not much you can do about that, accept get a cage that has food and water dishes that slide out without you having to stick your hand inside, and get a nice, thick pair of gloves. I know all too well how bad it hurts to be bit by a parrot. I raised green cheek/maroon belly conures (until I could no longer keep dodging the attacks from the male who was VERY protective of his cage.) and also worked in a pet shop that specialized in hand fed baby birds of all types and also did bird boarding. I have been bit so many times I am surprised I still love birds!

I hope I have been informative. Please forgive me if I gave you information that you already knew. I have no idea what you do and do not know about birds. If the attacks are so bad that you can't take it anymore then you have the option of throwing out the eggs as soon as she lays them. I never had the heart to do this but some people will do this because their birds become so aggressive when they have eggs.

I don't have any advise on good bird books. I have read a whole bunch of bird books but I don't remember any authors or good titles to suggest. If you have any pet stores that specilize in hand fed babies, that would be a great place to ask about book recommendations, as well as any other questions on breeding love birds.

My last bit of babble is this: dont get your hopes up about the last remaining egg hatching. Being that this sounds to be their first attempt, and also that they don't have a nesting box the odds of that egg hatching is slim. It's not your fault if it does not hatch so don't feel bad or take blame.

Enjoy, good luck, and go out and buy a real nice, thick pair of gloves for future cage changes

-Leslie