I need help. This is my first post on this forum, so I do not know how you do things compared with other popular forums so... bear with me.

 

I brought home a parakeet that I saw on Craigslist as "Free". The lady said that he/she was a male, as she had bred chicks from him before. Okay, fine. I have had Budgie's before and have never had a problem with telling the sexes apart, but this little guy (asuming he is a he) has a cere that is cracked like the picture KAZ posted here: (http://forums.budgiebreeders.asn.au/index.php?showtopic=19173&st=0). Is it natural that a male should have this cracked/brownish crusty patch on their beaks? Or is this something else?

 

I just want this little guy to be healthy and happy with me and if this is a problem then this is an issue that should be addressed.

Thank you

Edited July 11, 200915 yr by maesie

Sounds female doesnt it Can you post a picture ? There is a how to post pictures link in my signature.

If it's brown as you say, then it's definitly a Hen.... here are the different color's for sex's of budgies

 

Hen: White, Very feint blue = Out of breeding condition.... Brown crusty, tan = In breeding condition...

 

Male: as youngen's they have a rather purplish-pinkish cere which comes to a basic blue when matured... when a male is out of condition... its usually more of a feinter blue then the darker blue.

If it's brown as you say, then it's definitly a Hen....

 

not necessarily.........it also indicates a cock with testicular cancer. BUT cracked cere usually means hen.

 

Thus the NEED for photos

Oh right... well i assumed her bird doesnt have testicular cancer but yes.. photo's are needed.

Oh right... well i assumed her bird doesnt have testicular cancer but yes.. photo's are needed.

A "breeder "is GIVING AWAY a supposed cock bird. Chances are it may be male with testicular cancer. OR the breeder is very confused.

 

Photos will help us to help you Cora

Edited July 11, 200915 yr by KAZ

Good point... i try to tell my boss at the pet shop the same thing.... before you buy every bird that's offered to you for low price... you should stop and think as the reason why they are getting rid of them in the first place... i always say that to customer's before handing out money to them at work... i ask them for the bird's age, have they bred before, have they had lice and such before, have they had any illness's and such.... otherwise i could be bringing a diseased bird into the shop and risk the rest getting them.... im fussy when it comes to health issue's with birds :rofl: