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Birds--General/Lovebird: Boy or Girl?

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Expert: - 5/31/2006


Question
I have two lovebirds, how can I tell if they are boy or girl?

Answer
Hi, Leila.  Thanks for posting.

Lovebirds have to be DNA sexed, i.e., you can't tell their sex just by looking at them, UNLESS one or the other lays an egg!  Here's a website URL for a parrot DNA sexing lab I use to sex any parrots I need to have sexed.

http://www.avianbiotech.com/

You can order free sexing kits from this company either by phone or via their website and follow the instructions for obtaining a blood sample.  Send the card in with the required fee (which I believe is still about $20) and they will respond within about a week, depending on how busy the lab is.  To take a blood sample, you simply trim a lovebird's toenail just a little bit too short until you get a bit of blood.  Place a couple drops of blood on the card the company will send you, put the card in the mail with the fee, and the lab will E-Mail you the results (or mail them to you or both) in about a week.

Chrys  

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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