African Grey Male VS Female (Sexing African Grey)
Last Updated on April 8, 2023 by Ali Shahid
If you plan to breed your African Grey parrot, knowing its gender may be useful. This is also true if you want to stop a new bird from having babies after bringing it home. The following article will explain what characteristics you should consider when determining your African Grey parrot’s sex.
DNA sexing is the most accurate method for determining the gender of an African Grey parrot. But, you may also look for physical differences to determine if an African grey is male or female.
Even though it is difficult to distinguish between male and female African gray parrots, you can still try to do so. Also, we have tips on how to confirm your parrot’s sex with a professional if you want to be certain.
Hence, this article is useful if you are considering introducing a new bird, breeding African grays, or preventing breeding.
Determining the Sex of African Grey through Physical Differences
Tail Feathers
If you wish to examine the feathers of your African Grey, you can pick him or her up and turn him or her over gently. The tail feathers of male greys have a darker color than those of females. The ventral feathers of females will have a gray edge.
The ventral feathers of males will be solid red in color. Male feathers may have a small white hairline. For young parrots, this test is inaccurate. The tail feathers cannot be used to determine sex unless the gray is at least 18 months old.
Height
The average height of a male is 12–14 inches (30–35.5 cm). Generally, hens are a little shorter than this.
Body Shape
The body shape of an African Grey male tends to be round, while the body shape of an African Grey female tends to be slender.
Head
Males tend to have small, flat heads and shorter necks. The necks of females tend to be longer, and their heads tend to be bigger and rounder.
Coloration
Generally, males are darker and have a more uniform color than females. Unlike males, females have a gradual color change from their necks to their bellies.
The use of this technique is only recommended for birds older than 18 months. Since the feathers of a chick are still growing, their color will change over time.
Eye Color
The eye color of male and female gray parrots is another physical difference. Males typically have lighter eyes, while females have darker eyes. However, eye color isn’t a reliable way to tell what a bird’s gender is because it can vary among individuals.
Underside 3-Band Pattern
Take notice of your parrot’s flapping wings. A three-band gray pattern should be visible on the underside of the wings. Females and males have slightly different colors for these bands.
Usually, females have gray, white, and dark gray bands. Males usually have gray, gray, and dark gray bands. Considering how slight this difference is, it can be difficult to detect.
Behavioral Differences
In addition to physical distinctions, African grey parrots exhibit behavioral distinctions that help determine their gender.
Male grey parrots, for instance, are typically more vocal and gregarious than females. Additionally, males are more prone to mimic human speech and other noises. In contrast, female grey parrots tend to be less vocal and more reserved.
Surgical Approach to Determine the Sex
Using laboratory testing, a veterinarian can determine the sex of your African grey. Bringing an avian vet in solely for sex determination can be expensive. However, you may need to know your African grey’s gender.
In order to reproduce, you will need both a male and a female. On the other hand, if you intend to prevent reproduction, you must ensure that your Greys are of the same sex or consider neutering your flock.
Avian vets often use endoscopies to check gender. This entails examining the internal organs of a bird using a telescope.
Your veterinarian may have additional laboratory methods to determine the sex of your parrot. Depending on your bird’s overall health and medical history, there are a variety of methods for determining sex. Discuss your options with your veterinarian.
DNA Testing
DNA testing is the most accurate method for determining the gender of an African Grey parrot. This entails obtaining a blood sample from the parrot and having it analyzed in a laboratory.
The laboratory will then analyze the sample’s DNA to ascertain the gender of the bird. DNA testing is extremely precise and can determine gender with 99.9% precision.
Physically, it is impossible to determine sex with absolute certainty. However, there are a few characteristics that tend to vary marginally between males and females.
If you want a definitive answer, you should consult with an avian veterinarian or undergo a DNA test. This is the only method to determine the gender of your African Grey parrot with certainty.
Conclusion
In the end, it’s up to you whether you want a male or female grey parrot as a pet. Gender determination can be aided by observing physical and behavioral cues, but DNA testing provides the most accurate results.
The most essential thing you can do for your parrot is to give it a warm, caring home. These birds may be wonderful companions because of their intelligence and their endearing personalities.
A long and happy life for your African Grey parrot depends on your understanding of its specific requirements and quirks.
