How do I tell the sex of my bird?

If you have an Eclectus parrot, there's no doubt about the sex of your pet–the bright red female can hardly be mistaken for a green male. No guessing with budgies, either, as a mature male's cere, the area just above the beak, is blue. And in the case of canaries, you can hear the difference--only males sing. In some cases, though, you can't tell just by looking – or listening!

Do you know what sex your bird is? While many caretakers are content to guess, others want to know with certainty if their beloved Max is really a Maxine. And if you're considering adding another bird to your family's flock, knowing your pet's gender can help you choose the most compatible cagemates.

Tips on how to tell the sex of a bird

When the gender of a bird can be determined visually, he or she is a member of a dimorphic species. All members of monomorphic species, however, look the same, and you cannot distinguish males from females based on their appearance. The latter group includes macaws, conures and cockatoos. Some species of lovebirds are monomorphic, while others, such as the Abyssinian, are dimorphic.

If your avian companion is monomorphic, however, your pet's identity need not remain a mystery. Many avian caretakers choose to have their birds surgically sexed. After anesthetizing the bird, a veterinarian makes a small incision in the abdomen and is thus able to view the animal's internal sex organs. This procedure is safe and quick when executed by an experienced doctor, but is not recommended for very young birds. As they have not yet reached sexual maturity, their sex organs are much more difficult to distinguish.

DNA sexing

Up until recent years, this invasive procedure was the only reliable method available. Thanks to the advent of DNA sexing, however, birds can be accurately sexed without the possible complications of surgery and anesthesia. A blood sample is collected from a vein or toenail – a procedure that can be done easily and painlessly by the bird's caretaker – and sent via mail to a laboratory, where it is analyzed to determine the bird's sex. Unlike surgical sexing, DNA sexing can be accurately done on baby birds. Another advantage is that your pet will not have to leave the comfort of his environment, and that's less stress for both you and your feathered friend!

DNA sexing services are currently offered by a number of laboratories worldwide.