about a couple of yellow nape

Question
i have a five yr old male yellow nape and i just got a 4 month old girl. i have them in separate cages, side by side, but when i try to get them together.  outside her cage she gets aggressive he stays passive mostly and sometimes they kind of kiss. i think shes too young, how old does she have to be so they can mate and how can i get them to get along?? any ideas, please your help would be apprciate it. thanks. maribel

Answer
Hi Maribel,

Your male is probably hit his sexual maturity age already, however your female still has a long way to go.  Amazons don't hit sexual maturity until sometimes between 3 - 5 years of age.  Although she may exhibit some behaviors of courting, nesting and/or mating - her body will not be equipped to reproduce until she's hit sexual maturity.  She should not be allowed to do so until she's ready.  

If they are not lunging and biting (with injuries) one another - that's a good sign.  It will take some time for the two of them to get used to each other - so when they are out together - they should be supervised at all times.  

Be sure you've done your homework before allowing them to breed.  You want to be sure you have their set up right (nestbox, nesting materials, temperature, diet, etc.), as well as be prepared for any issues that may take place along the way such as egg binding, egg peritonitis in the female - both of which can kill her, as well as knowing how to properly handfeed the babies, which if done incorrectly can kill them.  There is LOTS of information you will need to know, if you haven't researched this already.  One of the most important things is that you have loving and appropriate homes lined up for the babies when they are weaned.  

I would just let them get acclimated with each other.  It may turn out that they may not breed for several years, if at all.  This should be ok too.  :-)

I hope this helps and good luck.