rosey bourkes

[allen]

i have a friend that wants to no how can she tell a male rosey bourke from a female

[amanda143]

There are some markers, but unless they are DNA'd or you actually see them courting a female or mating it can be tough to determine. I have been told that females typically have darker feathers around the face, have rounder skulls, and are smaller than males. If it is a big issue, you can get a DNA test for about $20.

[Lori~D]

Or you can have the trouble Im having and realize you actually have two differnt rosey mutations which throws all that color stuff out the window,lol. I just figured out yesterday I think my so called "male" is actually a PINK BOURKE and not a ROSEY,lol. he has NO blue on him anywhere. GAH! but his face is lighter, but the pink mutations faces are lighter so Im not comparing apples to apples anymore.

[amanda143]

I believe that the pinks are a different shade of pink and their eyes are red (I think). Here is a website I like to visit frequently. But you are right, the different mutations make it so hard to sex. lol
English Version Bourke's Parakeet, Site Navigation

[odhinn]

If you read about the wing stripes on hens don't believe it. Both males and female can develop them in the rosy mutation. Males are usually more vibrant and one sure way to tell a male is when they start to do the dance. A sort of a head bob/jerk with a chirp. As far as I know the dance will usually only happen when kept with another rosy. That's how we knew our first rosy was a him and not a her.

DNA is always the most efficient way to tell.

[TheFrantom]

I bought a baby female pink. Has pink eyes, slightly lighter pink feathers, but hard to tell the differnce between a rosey and a pink. Just go by the eyes. Other new mutations may make this confusing too.

I had the female pink with 3 different males for one year. Never went into the nest box. Took a chance and put her with a female rosey. Had one healthy baby, but a normal rosey. My "female" was really a male. Really difficult to sex by color until they are 1-1/2 years old.

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[amanda143]

Yeah, we have a few white face/fallows and I have no clue which ones are male/female. lol I just ordered a bunch of DNA cards.

[birdymomma]

Originally Posted by odhinn

If you read about the wing stripes on hens don't believe it. Both males and female can develop them in the rosy mutation. Males are usually more vibrant and one sure way to tell a male is when they start to do the dance. A sort of a head bob/jerk with a chirp. As far as I know the dance will usually only happen when kept with another rosy. That's how we knew our first rosy was a him and not a her.

DNA is always the most efficient way to tell.

omg i just noticed your pic i am so hard right now

[Lori~D]

from what I saw the rubinos had pink eyes but not the pinks - runs off to do more reseach,lol. Why does my bird have no blue butt????

[amanda143]

Red Opaline (Rosies) typically aren't supposed to have other colors on their rumps. The blue, green, and yellow are considered a suffusion of the red opaline (pink). It's complicated on these birds because there are soooo many different mutations. I'm still trying to figure them all out myself!
Btw, this is one of our female rosies (blue suffused) with a Pink male. See any differences? The eyes, beaks and feet are different colors. I'll try to find some more pics of the different ones.