How To Sex A Baby Budgie

[1xa.ngelix]

Right, so recently, I bought myself a third budgie bird (couldn't help myself!). He was said to be a male (three months old), but upon closer examination, I saw an anomaly!

He has a deeper blue colour around the bottom edges of his cere, which fades into a really light, almost pastel, green around his nostrils. He also has a tan colour under his nostrils!

I'm having a hard time determining his sex now, because I was told only female budgies could have tanned or white ceres. I've also gotten some internet scares by telling me he could have cancer.


HIM!

Help?

 

[Sparkles99]

Do you have a clearer picture? The blue of my boys’ ceres varies, likely due to mutation.

Edited to ask if it’s just the picture or their feathers are in rough shape. Also, how old is this bird?

 

[Ripshod]

He is a boy, and older than suggested. But, more importantly, I'm also concerned about his feather condition.

 

[sootling]

Same here. He looks like he's over preening, plucking, or going through a really tough molt right now. You should probably bring him to an AV to make sure it's not something more serious.

 

[A.K]

Three things:

1. Welcome to the Avenue!

2. Can we have a clearer photo? It’d be easier to figure out his/her gender.

3. Feather condition doesn’t look good. You should take him to an Avian Vet, just to make sure everything’s okay. As for cancer, a vet can give you a proper diagnosis. They are the experts when it comes to avian illnesses. It’s good to get a checkup anyway, but do ask about the feathers. Is he/she in quarantine right now?

Please keep us updated!

 

[Lady Jane]

Suggest a vet visit if you have not already done that. Yes the feathers do not look what I would call normal. It could be a very serious issue.

 

[Lori D Pert]

As stated above he is male. His feathers are of concern. Please get an avian vet's opinion on this. He is definitely older that 3 months. He could have been subjected to another bird's attack or perhaps a plucking issue. In any case he needs an avian vet's assessment.

 

[1xa.ngelix]

EVERYONE, his feather condition was caused by his parents overplucking him as a baby. Ever since we got him, we've been monitoring his behaviour and he is completely fine. He's been growing new feathers amazing. I appreciate your concern

 

[Ripshod]

EVERYONE, his feather condition was caused by his parents overplucking him as a baby. Ever since we got him, we've been monitoring his behaviour and he is completely fine. He's been growing new feathers amazing. I appreciate your concern

Great news. Photos please. We love photos

 

[A.K]

EVERYONE, his feather condition was caused by his parents overplucking him as a baby. Ever since we got him, we've been monitoring his behaviour and he is completely fine. He's been growing new feathers amazing. I appreciate your concern

Awesome!

Great news. Photos please. We love photos

Yes, we all love photos! Photos!!! Hey, if you post some, maybe someone could help with gender?

 

[1xa.ngelix]

As stated above he is male. His feathers are of concern. Please get an avian vet's opinion on this. He is definitely older that 3 months. He could have been subjected to another bird's attack or perhaps a plucking issue. In any case he needs an avian vet's assessment.

I can tell he was younger than 4 months by watching his eyes His irises recently appeared, because he is now 4 months of age

 

[1xa.ngelix]

Great news. Photos please. We love photos

These are some more recent pictures of him where his cere is more visible.


This image is difficult to interpret, but if you look closely, you can see the start of some new feathers!

 

[Ripshod]

He's looking much better already. Everyone else can see he's a boy now.

 

[Scorpi0]

So I believe my youngest bird Icey is a girl. Shes usually quiet like a female and has her moments where she gets territorial. She is about 5 months old and her cere looks like a female’s. But my wife keeps thinking that shes actually a male. So I took a few pictures…what do u guys think??

 

[Ripshod]

So I believe my youngest bird Icey is a girl. Shes usually quiet like a female and has her moments where she gets territorial. She is about 5 months old and her cere looks like a female’s. But my wife keeps thinking that shes actually a male. So I took a few pictures…what do u guys think?? View attachment 404770 View attachment 404771 View attachment 404772 View attachment 404773 View attachment 404774

You're right - clearly female.

 

[sootling]

I second that. Young females and females out of breeding season have light blue ceres, with some exceptions (ino, recessive pied).

 

[A.K]

Female, I believe.

 

[Ripshod]

I second that. Young females and females out of breeding season have light blue ceres, with some exceptions (ino, recessive pied).

Ino and Recessive pied females are no exceptions. Mutations can only affect male ceres.

 

[Lori D Pert]

Yep..little lady!

 

[Sparkles99]

They're both beautiful. So are the pictures - very close up!