Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 1/20/2008

Question
I GOT A PIED PARAKEET FOR MY HUSBAND AN WE STILL DONT KNOW IF ITS A BOY OR A GIRL THE PARAKEET HAS ALIL BLUE BUT THE OTHER ONE WE HAVE IS A BOY.CAN U HELP US?

                               TARA

Answer
Hi, Tara,

I really need to know how old this bird is.  Generally, male keets have blue ceres (the colored area above the beak) and females have white/brown/beige/tan.  However, this depends on the age of the bird and overall coloration.  A bird younger than about 3 months of age will have black lines across its forehead.  These lines disappear around 3-4 months old.  A cere doesn't always color out completely (i.e., it can change) until a bird goes through its first molt at about 6 months of age.  

So in order to determine sex, you have to look at the color of the bird's cere in conjunction with age and overall coloration.  If your keet is all blue and the right age, the cere will help you sex this bird.  Sometimes a cere can be multicolored.  In cases like this, behavior is also taken into consideration in trying to determine sex.  Males tend to be more vocal, whereas females chirp, but don't "sing" like a male might.  Watch the behavior of this bird around the other bird if sex is still in question.  

Come back with any questions.

Chrys