I could use some help with gender!

[hoot]

My first thought was that this was a boy, but I don't know. It sometimes looks more purple than blue. What do you think?

 

[iamwhoiam]

Can't see the photos.

 

[hoot]

I see that... let me try again.

 

[zoo mom]

Very pretty. Do you have any pictures with a lighter not blue background.

 

[hoot]

Sorry about that!

 

[iamwhoiam]

Beautiful budgie. How old? I'm thinking male???

 

[hoot]

Beautiful budgie. How old? I'm thinking male???

I don't know how old it is, I didn't think it was too young because of lack of stripes. My first thought was male also, but they mentioned "her" at the store which has thrown me for a loop.

I see a little white around nostrils but googling images of other males I see that in some of them as well.

 

[zoo mom]

I am not an expert but I also would say male. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't a reflection from the background.

 

[Distaff]

Wow. Very pretty bird!

 

[Lady Jane]

Definitely two handsome male budgies.

 

[MyAussieFriends]

My guess is male

 

[WendyN]

Very handsome bird!

 

[iamwhoiam]

Is that coloring cobalt?

 

[Sky&Sunshine]

I would definitely say male although I am not an expert. One of my budgies who is a male has exactly the same colour cere.

 

[camelotshadow]

I'd say 4 to 8 mo male as cere looks too dark blue to be female.
Females blue is very light /pale color

 

[Sky&Sunshine]

Yes it is too dark for a female.

 

[Ravenstag]

I agree with male, what a beautiful budgie Pied Mauve possibly?

 

[Reggie]

I'd agree with @camelotshadow because younger budgies' "baby bars" (the stripes on top of their head) go all the way down to nearly their cere so he's a male, and has already gone through his baby molt.
Don't worry about what the pet store said, they hardly know what they're doing when it comes to budgies!

 

[karen256]

Looks like a male to me, also. Probably a little under 5 or 6 months, that's about when their irises start to turn white.

 

[hoot]

Thanks you all! His irises are visible though not completely white yet. Hard to see in the photos but its more clear IRL. He's now officially named "Dude".

I'm quite pleased with him. He sat on my hand for about 20 minutes and fluffed himself a few times. Still seemed frightened but relaxed enough to hang out. I talked to him and he turned to look at me when I did.
It does bring back memories of my old parakeet who was very tame. I'm excited for Dude's future and eagerly awaiting the arrival of his much larger cage which is expected from the 14th to 18th but hasn't even shipped yet .