Visual
DNA
Surgical
Behavioral
Many species of birds are sexually dimorphic and can be sexed visually
once they are adults. The most outstanding case is in eclectus parrots: the male is bright
green and the female is red and violet. Check up on the species you have to see if it is
dimorphic. If you have a budgie, cockatiel
or kakariki you can visit my species profiles to find out how they can
be sexed visually.
DNA sexing is easy and non-intrusive. Many places provide this service, I use Zoogen. Call the
company up and they will send you a vial and some instructions. All you have to do is clip a
toenail and gather a drop or two of blood. It's easy and it only costs about $20.
Surgical is still done though it's dying out since DNA techniques were developed. It's much more
dangerous- it involves anesthesizing the bird, making a small incision and inserting a scope to
view the reproductive organs. It is also less accurate.
Behavior is what I use to sex my pet birds. It's free and very simple if you know what to look
for. When birds become sexually mature they tend to act a certain way. Males will often try to
mate with their owner's hand or head and females will often crouch and coo, begging to be mounted.
Both sexes may regurgitate or rub their cloaca on things.
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