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Birds--General/Peachface Lovebirds

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Expert: - 5/5/2007


Question
I have 2 lovebirds. I know for sure one is a female. The other has me bewildered. It mounts its cage mate, several times I saw this happen. It also tucks paper into its rump feathers. It's aggressive towards me during nesting time. There have been 6 and 7 eggs in the nestbox both times. Infertile. The male? was 10 or 11 months old those times.  It seems that the one in question sits outside the nestbox and inside too. The female never sits outside the box. Only this one. I think I'll dna the bird, I handfed it and it was tame and never bit me. I always assumed it was a  male. Confused. Have you ever heard of this?

Answer
Hi, Lona.

Yes, this is a familiar story with lovebirds.  Yes, you need to DNA sex the one bird.  You could have 2 females laying infertile eggs.  Both males and females carry paper in their feathers.  With lovebirds, both sexes are usually aggressive during nesting times.  If these lovies are less than 2 years old, you shouldn't allow them to breed...they aren't sexually mature yet.  Females particularly should be 2 years old before breeding.

If one bird is mounting the other, chances are it's a male.  However, homosexuality does exist in the bird world.  I've seen some female lovies exhibit male mating behavior.

I'd recommend DNA sexing to be sure of sex.  Try Zoogen or Avian Biotech on the web.  

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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