Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/28/2007

Question
i just got two bugdies and am still unsure what sex either one of them is. one is albino and the other is blue, i also have them in the same cage and they seem to be getting along just fine. i also have a lovebird who is about four years old and was hand raised he has never seen or heard another bird before and all three of them are in my room because i have dogs that i am afraid will mess with them. will my lovebirds behavior towards me change at all? and i am planning on getting two or three more bugies, is it safe to have them all together? no matter what sex they are?

I really hope you can help me out on this one!   
thanks much.  

Answer
Hi, Nicole.

It's OK to keep these birds together as long as they get along with each other.  Each bird's personality is different, so it just depends on their individual personalities.  You may want to keep the lovies in their own separate cage, as they could inflict serious damage on their smaller friends if there were a serious squabble amongst them.  Sometimes female budgies don't get along together.  When you start to see problems between your birds, you'll need to separate them.  

Sexing budgies - Males have blue ceres (cere is the colored area above the beak); females have brown/beige/tan/white ceres.  Your bird is albino only if its eyes are red.  An all-white bird doesn't necessarily mean a bird is albino.  An all-white bird's cere may be difficult to discern male from female.  

Your lovebird's behavior may change because birds prefer other birds to humans.  Since the lovie now has birdie friends, he may prefer them to you.  

Chrys