Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 2/28/2006

Question
Hi,
thanks for your answer so far
She has got a yellow face and sky blue belly. Her wings are white with greyish-black markings and underneath her wings she is turquoise.
Thank you

Laura


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Followup To
Question -
I have had my budgie for about a month now. I'm not sure how old she is but she is quite small and still has completely black eyes (but no bars on her head) so I'm guessing about 4-6 months old. Her cere is a pink/browny colour which lightens slightly near the nostrils but this weekend I have noticed that in one corner the cere has a small sky blue patch on it. Does this mean that she is actually a boy?! Or is this quite normal in female budgies?
Many thanks
Answer -
Hi, Laura.  Thanks for posting.

Your budgie sounds like a female, but not sure.  What overall color is s/he?  This information helps because multicolored or all white, etc., budgies can have cere colors that can be deceiving.  Also, since s/he is still young, the cere may not be completely colored out yet.  Female budgies can have all blue ceres, too, but there will be white "framing" around the cere where the cere meets the body and usually the blue of a female isn't as bright blue as a male's cere would be.

Get back to me with her coloration and I might be able to help further.  Thanks.

Chrys  

Answer
Hi again, Laura.

Multicolored!  I could be mistaken, but it sounds like you have a female.  The pink/brown color you describe makes me think a female, even with the blue spot you mention.  Normally, males ceres are bright, deep blue clear to where the cere meets the face.  Females are any other color, even blue (although not as bright with white framing), particularly brown/beige/tan, sometimes purple/pink/whiteish, or a combination.  I had a female keet once whose cere was multicolored (all the above except blue).  

Behavior can also help you determine sex.  Male budgies tend to be vocal, whereas females chirp, but don't have a song or "chatter" like males do.  Most females are more laid back and relaxed, where most males tend to strut around on their perches.  Watch your budgie's behavior and see if this doesn't help.  

Come back if you need to.  Thanks.

Chrys