Quaker parrots are an unusual species of bird in that they build nests. Most parrots live in hollowed out trees. Quakers build large communal multi-chambered nests high up in a tree, or in a city setting, on a light pole. These nests become very large and are considered nuisances. Often times electric companies remove the nests, along with the birds, when the nest gets too big. When this occurs in inclement weather, it surely means harm to the occupants. Reports of colony gassing and extermination are out there. I shudder. Colonies of wild Quaker parrots have started cropping up across the U.S. with a notable population in Brooklyn, NY. I've seen references to a colony in East Boston, but have yet to venture there myself to find them.
Knowing that it is instinctual for Quakers to build, owners often supply their birds with a variety of suitable materials. The materials Boncuk and Zaza prefer to build with vary according to their mood. The hands down favorite of the past couple years was plastic eyeglasses. Every pair of readers I owned flew off my head, counter, or even was extracted from drawers only to be found later woven into a structure in my boys' "nest." Thankfully the dollar store let me get the kids their own stash of glasses -- up to twenty pairs at a time were used. Amazing work. Is it sculpture? Architecture?
On a whim I ordered a bulk bag of wooden chopsticks and while at first they were ignored, last night the idea took off. Boncuk began systematically bringing each stick into his "nest" and arranging it to put it just where he wanted it. This required significant thought and effort on his part. Finally, I caught a video of my little builder in the act. (warning: the background music is loud!) He then added straws, preferring flexi-straws to the straight ones. The avian wonders never cease around here!!