Domestic birds, and especially parrots and budgerigars, often decorate their tails with paper strips.
They can make these strips out of books, magazines, or even money, so make sure you don't leave your birds unattended.
Here are some reasons for this.
Nesting Behavior
One theory suggests that the behavior of decorating their tails with paper is an instinctual nesting behavior.
Parrots, in the wild, use various materials like leaves, twigs, and feathers to construct their nests.
By collecting and attaching paper or other materials to their tails, parrots may be mimicking the natural process of nest building, even in the absence of a suitable nesting environment.
Courtship and Mating Display
Another hypothesis is that tail decoration could be linked to courtship and mating behavior.
Male parrots often engage in elaborate displays to attract female mates.
Decorating their tails with colorful or attention-grabbing materials, such as paper, may be a way for males to enhance their physical appearance and signal their fitness and desirability to potential mates.
Individual Behavior and Play
Some researchers propose that tail decoration could be an individual behavior or a form of play exhibited by certain parrots.
Parrots are highly intelligent and curious creatures, known for their playful nature.
Decorating their tails with paper could be a form of self-expression, exploration, or simply a way to engage in an entertaining activity.
