How can you tell if a bird is female or male?

Question

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Answer 1

Aren't all birds female?

Answer 2

Contrary to logic, male and female birds' sex organs are only different internally. They mate through a single opening called the cloaca, which is also the anus and urethra of the bird. Fowl (like Geese and Ducks), and one parrot (the Vasa Parrot) are exceptions. Birds aren't the only animals with this sex trait. Snakes have cloacas, too; they wouldn't slither too well with testes or a penis. Here's an article on the cloaca from Encyclopedia Britanica:
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9024416/cloaca

There are two kinds of sexual appearance in birds. Dimorphic birds, like these Eclectus, are called dimorphic because you can always tell the difference between the male and female -- the Eclectus is an extremely easy bird to sex, because the male is always green and the femals is always red! In other species, dimorphism can merely mean that the male is brighter than the hen (but often only during breeding season), or that the male has ornamentation and the female doesn't (like a peacock). Other dimorphic birds include the breeding Vasa Parrot, the Pacific Parrotlet, some Lovebird species, and budgies. In budgies, the nare -- area around the nostril -- is usually blueish on a male, and brownish on a female.
http://www.ruffledfeathersaviary.com/eclectus2m2.jpg

Other birds are sexually momomorphic: this means that between the genders the same physical characteristics are shared. Seasoned breeders can often train their eyes to notice differences that are imperceptible to others -- like more angular features, rounder eyes, rounder tail, broader head, etc -- but when others look for these differences they have little success. Birds like this include many kinds of Pionus, Poicephalus, Amazons, African Greys, Caiques (and a few kinds of Cockatiel). It's best to have them DNA sexed by blood analysis, or surgically sexed by a vet. I sex mine by feeling the pelvic bones, but if you don't know what you're looking for, it isn't much use to try. This DNA testing facility is popular.
http://www.avianbiotech.com/

If you run two internet searches, you'll very quickly learn whether your bird species is dimorphic. On the first search, write: (your bird's species) are monomorphic, and on the other write (your birds' species) dimorphic. You'll know which it is from the results right away.

Answer 3

For each bird family rules differ as to which one is male or female. Till maturity its very difficult for ordinary person to tell which is male or female. On maturity few general things are common like

1- Usually, the male is somewhat larger than the female
2- Male will coo and display before his mate
3- Male plumage is usually more colorful than female
4- Males and females may have different color patterns
5- Check under the wings for a tattoo. If a smudge of ink has been injected under the right wing, it is supposed to be a male
6- Pelvic exam method also works but they will need more observations.

Thanks

Answer 4

Because most people start out learning about birds with a Budgie or a Cocktail, they hear that "males make better talkers than females". With Budgies and Cocktails this is true, along with several larger Parakeet family members. In Cocktails, males make better talkers because they are more vocal naturally. The male Cocktail whistles for its mate in the wild, and this vocal nature tends to make them better mimics. However, in the vast majority of other parrot family members, there is no difference in talking ability between males and females. Their vocal abilities are equal.

In some types of parrots, males are more outgoing, independent, and aggressive; they will be bolder and attempt to dominate the person they bond to. The females of these particular types can be a bit sweeter and more affectionate, but also are somewhat more demanding for attention. Then there are the types where the females are the bossy ones, and they are usually known for biting harder and being more domineering.

You should know when you go to the vet for a monthly/yearly checkup. They will certainly tell you.

Answer 5

Very difficult with some species, but as a rule the male birds a usually a bit bigger, and are generally more colourful. Just a quirk of nature! Hope that helps!!!!!

Answer 6

It varies. Most male birds are more colorful...In Ducks the male has curly tail feathers. You can't just tell usually by looking. You have to research the particular breed that you are looking at.....

Answer 7

It might help if you were more explicit in your question. I am,going to make the assumption that you are referring to the feathered variety.
Largely to do with external appearances : size of the bird,colouring (the hen tends to be more dowdy than the more flamboyant male or **** - no pun intended, don't even know if that word will get through) and in some cases the beak (shape and colouring)may indicate gender.

Answer 8

hi, this depends on the species of bird for instance you can tell the difference between budgies by the colour of their beak...but African grey parrots have to be surgically sexed to find out.

Answer 9

Males are generally brighter (coloured!) than females. e.g. cockateel males are a dark grey with bright red/orange cheeks, very vivid colours, the females, are a light grey with a paler red/orange cheeks. Male peacocks have the big fan-like tails, very colourful and impresive, and the females are smaller, and brown. The males are usually brighter coloured, so to impress the ladies.

Answer 10

If the bird has its full feathers the male has the prettiest colors, the female may be totally different , dull in color. If they don't have any feathers yet you can tell by looking in there private parts.

Answer 11

There are very few parrots that you can look at and know the sex of the bird.

Take him/her to your Avian vet and have the bird DNA sexed. It is easy and less invasive than having the bird surgically examined.