Cockatiels and laying an egg

[tuffgi2001]

I'm pretty sure I know the answer to this question but for the sake of not knowing for sure, I thought I'd ask this question. Hinky (my cockatiel) layed an egg last night. She has no mate with her. Obviously the egg is infertile. But is it possible that when I bought her almost 2 years ago that she mated with another bird in the cage and can store the sperm for long periods of times? I know this sounds crazy but my Bearded Dragons (lizards) can store sperm for a couple years. I also didn't realize how protective a cockatiel could be of an infertile egg. I just walk up to her cage and she rushes at me hissing with her wings out. She is spending all her time sitting on it. That is why I am asking, she just seems real protective of an infertile egg and I do not know if that is normal behavior.

Thanks in advance

[kiwi]

I didn't know that about bearded dragons - thats amazing

Unfortunately tiels are not the same so Hinky's egg is definately infertile. Tiels are famous for sitting tight on eggs and being very protective, she's behaving as a normal expectant birdie mum would be so don't worry

I'd try to take her egg off her though as it's an unnecessary strain on her resources

[tuffgi2001]

"tiel" and that would be why I could not find the proper thread, I was looking for the wrong name

I figured as much in reference to Hinky not being able to do so, but I figured better safe than sorry.

As for the beardies, you'd be surprised how many people have a male and female (like myself) and next thing they know, their female lays a clutch and they think they are infertile due to not knowing that they can retain sperm for a couple years. A single female will actually lay up to 3 - 4 clutches in 1 year off of one "escapade" with a male.

[laurie]

lol that would be unreal! I have heard of sugar gliders doing the same thing,(mate dies unexpectedly or he gets neutered & then the unexpected joey pops in the equation ) lots of debates about such as sperm retension in many species.. I suppose if birds could retain sperm, then that would mean we wouldnt need egg candlers then lol the females could drop eggs whenever she felt the urge to mother something lol