The Mothering Parrot

I recently had a conversation with a friend about her rescued parrot. The parrot had apparently been living in less than desirable conditions. Sloughed onto a neighbor by the previous homeowners, she was kept around because the neighbor felt sorry for her. I don't really remember the details of how my friend acquired her, but the parrot is now living in a happy home and exhibiting the characteristics of a contented bird: egg laying.

Now, I know that parrots are birds, and I understand that birds lay eggs. I even understand that birds sit on eggs. But I have never in my life pictured or seen a parrot sitting on an egg. This concept of the happily nesting parrot is completely new to me. Parrots bob their heads. Parrots talk. Parrots make messes while they hold peanuts with their feet and shell them with their beaks. Parrots bite. Hard. In my mind, parrots do not nest. It's far too motherly of an activity.

So I did a little google search for photos of parrots nesting on eggs. I came up with this one, which was the closest I got.

As you can see, this parrot is not exactly sitting on the eggs. The eggs are there. The parrot is hovering. But this is far from the full blown, fluffed breast feathers over the eggs while the parrot sits contentedly and clucks like a chicken. So I am left discontent. I do believe that my friend's parrot is happily laying eggs and indeed sits on them. However, the nesting parrot is a phenomenon that remains a mystery to me. I'll just have to see it with my own eyes someday.