Can't figure out if budgie is a male....

[alittlesassie]

Hi everyone!
I have two budgies that are around 11 months old. The one I know is a female but I'm still having trouble finding out if the other one is a male. His temperament is that of a male but his cere only has a hint of blue at the far sides and often he will get a pinky/brown shade on the cere. How can I know for sure if this bird is a male? I would love to mate my budgies if this one is a male. Do I need a nesting box for them to mate or is that just for the female to lay her eggs?
Your suggestions are appreciated!
Sharen

[crazy4birds]

well has it molted 4 the 1st time yet? if it has and it has mainly a pink cere then it is probably a girl, but if it has molted 4 the 1st time and the color is mainly a blue cere then it will most likely be a male........hope this helps

[Monica]

I'm sorry to say, but females will usually ALWAYS have a white, or tan/brown cere, even if they are a mutation, such as an albino or white. It's usually only the MALES who will keep a pink cere (these are usually albinos, lutinos, and heavy/bald pieds).

It sounds to me like possibly a female, though some good photos may help some!

And having to do with females, they TOO can have blue on their ceres, either on the top or bottom, with the main color of the cere being white... this is sometimes also accompanied by a light tan color...