Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 4/27/2008

Question
I bought a pair of blue masked lovebirds from a pet store at about 8 months old. I was told they were a male and female pair. So I have been reading about their mating habits. I am now wondering if I have 2 males or what. The one I thought was a female is feeding what I thought was male, also the "female" is constantly rubbing her butt on the perch (seems to be doing it more right now then in the last few months). The one I thought was the male seems to be trying mount the other one. Is it possible that I have 2 males or will the female do the the behavior that I have described? The "male" has never done the butt rubbing but I think that they have both fed each other - but "she" seems to do it more. I was getting ready to buy a nesting box - they are both very friendly to each other.  I hope this had made sense. If it makes any difference my "female" has a lighter colored face and the "male" has a darker face. Thanks for any help you can offer.

Answer
Hi, Rebekah,

Lovebirds have to be DNA sexed in order to determine sex with 100% accuracy (unless a bird lays an egg, then you know it's female!).  Lovies are called lovebirds because of this type of behavior.  Without being DNA sexed, it's usually the male that feeds the female and it's usually a male bird that rubs his butt on things.  The bird trying to mount the other is likely the male.  With lovies, I've seen females exhibit the same behaviors as males and vice versa.  This is why you need to have them DNA sexed.  Did you get any type of sexing certificate with your birds?  If not, visit Avian Biotech or Zoogen Labs on the internet.  DNA sexing is cheap and you can do it at home if you know how to trim a bird's toenails.  Do not put up a nesting box unless you want your pair to lay eggs and have babies.  A nesting box is a cue to them to go to nest.  If you are not knowledgeable of birds, you have a lot to learn before you allow your birds to mate and produce offspring.  Visit my website:  www.angelfire.com/falcon/birdinfo.index.html.  www.birdchannel.com is also a good website.

Chrys