Green Wing Macaw Egg Laying

Question
QUESTION: Good Day!

I found a green wing macaw about 10 years ago in South Florida and moved to East Tennessee about 3 years ago.  My macaw is very friendly, talks a lot, chews everything, mimics everyone.  A couple of weeks ago he started exhibiting very unusual behavior.  He started pufing up, laying flat on his perch and making strange grunting noises.  This mornin he laid an egg, obviously the vetrinarian who told us he was a he was incorrect and we have a she.  The egg broke on the bottom of the cage. Our parrot has never laid eggs before.  Is this normal, if so how often should we expect to see this behavior.  She has not been around any other parrots/birds.  Should we take her to see the vetrinarian?  She is eating normally, coat is very healthy, etc.

Thank you for your help!

Concerned Birdbrain

ANSWER: I'm glad you're looking for ways to stop this - it can become a serious health problem if it's allowed to continue.  When it comes to macaws, a DNA test is the only-only-only way to determine sex unless and until the egg laying begins.  
 A female doesn't need a male, she just needs to feel that it's the season and they have a reasonably safe place to make a nest.

 I've outlined all sorts of things you can do to curb this at my site

 www.4AnimalCare.org (click the bird tab)

I'm very glad to hear about a beautiful bird like this being cared for so well.

What's "her" name ?



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Her name was Max and is now "Maxine".  We think she is trying to lay another egg as she has started the behaviors again.  I have an appointment for her on Friday at our avian bird vet.  My kids want to know if she is in pain, when she is grunting she seems to be in pain but when she stops she acts completelt normal.  She is eating a lot and we have not held her since she laid the egg.

Answer
Those noises if leading up to a productive egg laying are not especially painful (or birds wouldn't be making more birds); however, if she becomes egg bound it not only becomes painful, but life threatening.

 Don't stop handling her, just be careful not to pet her from the middle of the back, down.
 Make some little changes in her cage, even moving the food and water bowl around or repositioning a perch will be helpful.  These are easy changes that may make her feel less 'secure' in routine and contribute to the curbing of her laying.

 I've got a lot more outlined at my site

Keep me up to date on Maxine ok?