Pearl is MALE?!

[FlyBirdiesFly]

I decided to do a DNA test for Pearl because 1) I wanted to make sure that my budgies couldn’t breed and 2) she’s really vocal and has been chattering and attempting to talk... and today I found out that my little girl is actually a boy! I usually wouldn’t do a DNA test because it stresses out the bird when you get the blood sample from cutting the nail too short, but since Bluebell is female I wanted to make sure there was no chance of them mating while outside the cage. Oh, and I tested Ducky too... because in my gut (and after hearing forum members’ advice) I knew “he” was female. So Ducky is a confirmed female now, and Pearl is male. With Pearl I think I’m going to continue referring to her as “she”... I’m not sure what to do with Ducky. And I’m not really sure if Kermit’s a male either, but unless I find a reason to think he’s female I won’t be testing him. I know that Bluebell’s a female because of her crusty, brown cere, but since Pearl’s still young you can’t tell visually. But Pearl’s breeder (and the vet) thought she was a girl, imagine her surprise when I tell her that Pearl is a boy.

Sorry for the long post... I’m just so shocked.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Oh, fun. Also, I have heard that albino budgies are "no good for breeding" don't know if there is anything to that or if it is old wives tale, and even if it is true I don't know why. But it could be that any hankey pankey is just birds having some scandalous fun and not cause for concern about the potential for chicks.

From phone

 

[FlyBirdiesFly]

Since they show zero interest in each other, I really don’t think there’s much chance of breeding. Pearl has learned to mimic Ducky chirping, makes kissing noises and has said “pretty bird” and “baby”. My only talking bird turned out to be a tiny little budgie! But what to do about the he/she thing...

 

[reeb]

I was actually thinking of your Bluebell and Pearl and wondering how they are so relaxed with each other if they were both female! Now we know why haha!

Pearl may not show much interest in Bluebell yet but he may as he gets older. My two literally show zero interest in each other except the very occasional groom and feed... but they are still pretty young so I suspect when my (girl) Pearl goes into her full breeding mood Opal might be totally all over her. I was actually expecting that my Pearl would be male too, her cere was pretty confusing as a baby and she behaves a lot like a male - but in the end she was a female after all.

It's often a guessing game I suppose!

 

[texsize]

I think it's Lutino to Lutino breeding that's a bad idea.
Lutino to somthing else is ok.

 

[IndySE]

LOL I've been there.... My Kermit the GCC turned out to be female Imagine my surprise. Hopefully it's not a Kermit thing. At least you know for sure about your budgies and won't have any surprise chicks.

I'd also like to mention they can do DNA tests from feather samples. You have to freshly pluck then, which as you can imagine birds don't like, but maybe it would be a less stressful method for any future tests.