Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 12/8/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have two budgies.  One is a boy and is very tame.  Both can fly and usually I leave their cages open all day so they are out all the time.  The male will actually fly out to me when he sees me spontaneously--I don't even have to call him.  The female bird is quite aggressive and they have started to fight.  The female is trying to make the male bird regurgitate food for him and I don't think that he fancies her so much.  He tries to get away, but is definitely the submissive bird.  The female is a bully and chases him all the time and towers over him standing on tippy toes.  I've had them both for about 3 years.  I'm afraid that the female may hurt the male.  He is extremely friendly and lovable.  I love him so much and don't want him to get hurt.  He thinks that I am his mate, and I  think that this may be making the female bird jealous.  The female is skittish and not tame.  Please advise.  Cheers!

ANSWER: Hi, Laura both

Are you sure of their sexes?  Tell me the color of their ceres (colored area above the beak) and their overall coloration.  From your post, it sounds like you may have their sexes reversed.

Chrys

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The boy (or the one I think) has a dark blue cere and the female has a pink cere.  I know this sounds weird but the boy pleasures himself and then you know what so I'm pretty sure he is the boy.  Sorry to tell you that, I know it sounds gross, but the male thinks that I am his mate.  Do you think I should separate them?  They don't like being apart even though they aren't bosom buddies.  Thank you very much.  Laura

Answer
Hi again, Laura,

The bird with the pink cere...pink ceres can be either boys or girls.  This bird's behavior sounds like a male to me.  Also, if the male sees you as his mate, he may not like the other bird.  Birds mate for life unless a human or death forces them to take another mate.  If your male is masturbating (not gross...just Mother Nature!) with a female in the same cage, this tells me that these 2 birds aren't pair-bonded and may not care for each other.  Sounds to me like these 2 birds care for each other for companionship, but aren't bonded/may not bond enough to produce offspring.  Also, bonding/mating may never take place if the bird with the pink cere is male.  You may need to DNA sex the bird with the pink cere in order to know for sure if it is male/female.  

Chrys