Hi guys,

 

In May I adopted a budgie who is now about 10 months old. Although given to me as a male, I really do think it's a female, because her cere has never turned bright blue (how unfortunate she was named Bennett! (Laughing out loud)) Anyway, her cere does look like that of a female budgie out of breeding condition, but I was wondering, will it ever turn the tannish colour? Is it normal for it not to? I'm puzzled by this because my other hen's cere is always permanently brown, it doesn't change in the slightest (is that normal?) Neither of them have ever been bred (& nor do I plan to start, sweet as it may be), so I was just wondering if it was common for the cere to never change. I'm afraid I don't have a digital camera so there's no way for me to post any pics of them, but I thought I would see if anyone could offer any insight into the situation.

 

Thanks!

Some budgies take longer than others for the cere to change color. I have a hen who's cere stayed that whitish-tan color until she was over a year, and others turned at 5 months. It depends upon how much estrogen her body is producing. I wouldn't overly worry about it. Any chance it is a recessive pied? If so, and the cere is pinkish, it could be a male.