male or female??

[specialktown]

I purchased a parakeet at my local pet store about a month ago. The lady at the pet store said she believed it was a girl, so knowing nothing about birds I took her word for it. I named her Marley. Marley is solid white with random light yellow patches, no other markings at all. This intrigued me so I tried looking up what type of parakeet she was. I thought she was a lutino but many forums said lutinos have to have red eyes.The only other possibilities I found for a white and yellow parakeet with black eyes were what is called a deep clear eye, which never develope an iris (which is rare so I doubt Marley is this) and a double factor spangle. The DFS is described as a white and yellow budgie with no stray markings and black eyes, which eventually get a light iris. I believe Marley is a DFS. My question, however, is if she is in fact a girl or if I have a little boy on my hands. To me, her cere looks slightly purple and it seems darker now than when I got her. I have really grown very attached to her because she is naturally sweet and unafraid of me. If she is a he I would love to know so I can call him accordingly: going from "she" to "he" and "he" to "she" is getting old :D
I have posted pictures, please let me know what you think
thanks

[Monica]

Looks like a Yellowface Albino budgie. I do not believe Dark Eyed Clears would have yellow faces, although a DF Spangle might.

I'm guessing male. DFS male budgies will have blue ceres and white iris rings as adults, DEC's and Ino male's will have pink ceres and black/red eyes. If his cere remains pink, he's a male. If his cere turns purple-ish/blue, again, male.

However, if the cere turns white (with blue or tan) then you have a hen.


By behavior, sounds male thus far. That's not really saying much as I have seen hens act like males... just not to the same degree. Do you know the age of the budgie? Could you get any better pictures with natural daylight?

[sweetnlow]

I would say its a male. There appears to be quite a bit of blue in that cere and I don't see any white rings around the nostrils. I am not certain but it looks that way from your picture. Pretty colors too :)

[specialktown]

maybe this light is a little better?
His eyes are black, they dont have any red..

[specialktown]

oh, and i believe marley is about 5 months according to the pet store

[Monica]

The pictures would probably come out better during the day. At night he ought to be asleep. I'm still going with male. Have you noticed any other behaviors or vocalizations?

[specialktown]

um pretty much he jus gets on my finger when i reach in for him, there was never any training that had to be done with that.
i have him out the majority of the day on his perch which is on my desk.
when i play music he sings.
he eats seed off my lips an out of my hand, and lately ive been working on getting him to ring his bell after i touch it.
he seems to be a quick learner and has never hissed or snapped at anyone. when he sleeps, he always gets into his suspended ring in his cage, and so far he hasn't repeated any words.
these are the only mannerisms i've noted so far..

[Monica]

Singing is a good (but not 100%) indication of male behavior. I'm talking about individual behavior, what *HE* does.... i.e. singing, head bobbing, eye-pinning (if it could be seen), beak tapping... that type of stuff. BTW, wasn't thinking earlier but if he's 5 months old now (or estimated to be that age) then I don't think he's a DFS as he *should* have eye-rings by now.

He *SHOULD NOT* be eating food from your mouth. We have rather harmful bacteria in our mouths that could make our birds sick. Please refrain from doing this in the future.


Be sure to get him on a healthy diet that includes sprouts, veggies, some fruits, grains, legumes, perhaps a small amount of pellets! If you can, stay away from foods that are high in salt, sugars (unless natural as is found in fruits - which should not be a large part of the diet), fats, and dyes.

[Ashling]

Listen to Monica, she gives great advice! Your budgie is very handsome.