my 7-yr old sun conure laid eggs

Question
What is involved with the actual breeding of sun conures?  My bird was given to me with the idea that it was a  male.  I've had him for over a year.  Suprise!  Chucky is not a "chucky" after all.  I found an egg in his/her cage.  She apparently kicked it far away from her "bed".  She's laid 2 so far and seems to be plump with another egg.  How often do they lay eggs?  How does fertilization take place?  I am kind of thinking about finding her a mate.  Do you think she's too old?

Answer
Hi, Nikki.  Thanks for posting.

Your female sun is laying infertile eggs, which is normal during breeding season (normal meaning some females do this, some don't).  Just leave the eggs where they are until she abandons them on her own.  If you remove them as they are laid, she'll keep laying and laying and laying, which isn't good for her health.  She'll eventually abandon them because she'll know they won't hatch.

The actual process of breeding parrots isn't difficult, it's everything else involved (like knowing what to do when a problem crops up, handfeeding/caring for the babies, etc.).  You have a lot to learn before even attempting to breed parrots.  Visit my website for more information:

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo/index.html

Your sun may lay 1 egg every other day until a full clutch of about 4-6 are laid (my suns lay 4 eggs per clutch).  When parrots mate (the male will mount the female on her back), fertilization may/may not occur (they only need to mate once to lay a full clutch of eggs).  The embryo travels down the female's reproductive tract gathering all the elements it needs to develop properly, then near the end of the reproductive tract, the egg shell develops around the embryo, and the egg is expelled.  In your bird's case, the laid eggs aren't fertile so they won't hatch.  

She isn't too old in general, but before allowing her to breed, you should ensure she is on a healthy, nutritional diet, and is healthy in all respects (breeding takes a lot out of the female).  You might want to think hard about getting another bird because birds prefer other birds to humans.  If your bird is tame now and you introduce another bird, she may not remain tame.  2 parrots also have to pair-bond before they will mate and there are no guarantees that a male sun you choose will be compatible with your female (and vice versa).  Just because we put 2 parrots together, doesn't mean they will like each other!  

Come back with any questions.

Chrys