I have two Lovebirds...?

Question

How can I tell which one is Porgy and which one is Bess?

Answer 1

Lovebirds are not sexually dimorphic. This means, you generally cannot tell if a lovebird is a male or a female just by looking at it. There are some subtle differences between males (cocks) and females (hens), but for every characteristic I give you will find someone who will tell you they've seen that characteristic in the opposite sex on occasion. The best method of determining sex in lovebirds is through DNA. This entails ordering a kit from one of the many laboratories then taking a sample of blood from your bird. The easiest way to do this is to clip a toenail a little higher than you normally would. Be sure to have styptic powder or flour on hand (they will stop the flow of blood when you are done). This self-testing generally costs between $15 and $22. Many bird shops will take the sample for you if you are squeamish, and they will send it to the lab and get you the results. This usually doubles your cost, although a few shops charge only the postage and a $5.00 sample-taking fee. Granted, if your lovebirds are the biting type, this might be your best bet. Of course, avian veterinarians will take a sample, but the cost can be prohibitive if you're testing a lot of birds.

Some visual differences between the sexes are: hens tend to have a wider stance on the perch, hens tend to be a bit larger, hens have wider pelvic bones that can be felt (gently!!) with an index finger. The pelvic bones of the hen also tend to move a bit when felt, which makes it easier for eggs to pass.

Also, when you put nesting material in a cage, both hens and cocks will shred the material, but hens will tuck the material under their wings to take them to the nesting box. Males will try to do this, usually unsuccessfully.

Once again, there will always be exceptions to these general characteristics.

Answer 2

When you hold your lovebirds (HA!) You can feel their bottum has 2 bones. If the bones are far apart its a female and if the bones are close together its a male. Or you can watch them 24/7 to see if the male will mount the female and breed her if you have a box in with them. I didnt know which of mine were male or female until I saw my lovie on top of my loviepoo. View my link below.

Answer 3

if you didnt want to go through the DNA process, another way to tell the sex of lovebirds is to turn the bird upside down, feel the pelvic bones. the males pelvic bones are very close with a few millimetres in between, the females pelvis is wider, maybe no quite a cm? Generally that is the best way to tell the differences

Answer 4

"Determining the sex in larger parrots is usually impossible by external morphology (body shape) or behavior. If a bird lays an egg, it is a female. If it does not, we don't know. A few exceptions are some parakeets, cockatiels, and cockatoos."

Answer 5

ha that is sooo funny@!!! My sister's name is Bess!!! I just couldn't resist. Where did you get the birds from? Ask them, if sounds like they knew .

Answer 6

go to the lovebirds website and I belive if I remember correctly, one of the bills will be blueish or darker and the females bill is pink>?

Answer 7

1 lays eggs

Answer 8

They have to have a blood test or a feather test to check the gender

Answer 9

Male lovebirds have brighter color to them than females.

Answer 10

I had a pair named know-how and luck, know-how replaced into the friendly one, and in case you have been clever sufficient to tell the style you should get him out and play with him. luck replaced right into a vicious, foul tempered chook and you have been fortunate to get your hand out without new holes in it in case you picked the incorrect one!