Gray parrots are very widespread and intelligent animals; it is worth knowing the sex of the specimen in your possession if you plan to mate it or if you want to buy another one and avoid finding yourself with chicks. It is very difficult to determine their sex based on physical control, although there are some characteristics that slightly differentiate females from males. You can get a general idea by examining the bird yourself, but you should have it DNA tested or consult a veterinarian who specializes in birds for a definitive answer. This is the only way to be sure of your gray parrot's sex.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Observe Physical Characteristics
Step 1. Examine the body
There are slight differences between males and females in terms of body shape and size. First, consider the animal's build to assume sex; later, you can check for less obvious features.
- Males are typically 30-35 cm tall, while females are a little shorter.
- The body of the males is somewhat rounded, that of the females is more slender.
- Female parrots have a longer, wider neck and rounded head, while males have a stubby neck and small, flat head.
Step 2. Examine the color
The male parrots have a darker and more uniform plumage, while the females have a faded livery (from a light shade to a darker one) starting from the neck towards the abdomen.
This feature should only be considered for birds over 18 months of age; a chick is still developing and its feathers change color as the months go by
Step 3. Look at the tail feathers
Those of male gray parrots are darker; you should also inspect the "ventral" ones, a series of 10 feathers located directly under the tail of the animal; grab a specimen and gently flip it over to check the plumage.
- The ventral feathers of the females have shades of gray along the edges, while those of the males are plain colored; in the latter there may be a thin white line.
- Remember that this test is imprecise on young specimens; if the animal is under 18 months, you cannot rely on the color of the tail feathers to determine its sex.
Step 4. Check the wings
Observe the parrot as it moves them, you should be able to see three gray stripes under them, the shades of which change according to gender.
- In females, the color of the bands respects this order: gray, white, dark gray; in males, on the other hand, the sequence is gray, gray and dark gray.
- Since the difference is minimal, it is sometimes difficult to notice; you should also consider other physical characteristics of the parrot to determine its sex.
Method 2 of 2: Contact the Experts
Step 1. Find a reputable ornithologist who works in your area
These professionals are usually biologists or veterinarians who specialize in birds; do a search in the Register of Veterinarians of your Province to get some suggestions.
- You can also do an online search for the term "ornithologist" and the name of your city.
- If you have other animals, ask your vet for advice; may recommend a specialist or take a blood sample from the parrot for a DNA test.
- Contact only licensed and registered veterinarians; make sure that the professional has all the "credentials" to practice the activity.
Step 2. Ask an ornithologist veterinarian to determine the sex of the parrot
Generally, a doctor is able to do this through laboratory tests or the simple observation of the animal; this may be an expensive procedure, but sometimes it is imperative if you really need to know if the animal is male or female. If you are looking for chicks, you need two of the opposite sex; if you want to buy another gray parrot and don't want to end up with an entire brood, you need to make sure both are male or female or neutered / neutered.
- Veterinarians typically proceed with an endoscopy to detect gender; the procedure involves the use of a probe (endoscope) to view the internal reproductive organs.
- The doctor may have other diagnostic tools available for determining the sex of the parrot; can choose the most suitable one based on the general health condition of the animal and its medical history, you must therefore discuss the various possibilities with him.
Step 3. Run a home DNA test
Maybe you want to have the animal undergo a less invasive procedure to figure out its sex. During the surgical and laboratory tests there is always the risk of harming the parrot; however, you can purchase a "do it yourself" DNA kit or a blood test paper to send to a lab by post; they are simple to assemble and use kits.
- You can get a valid DNA sample from a feather detached from the body, egg shell, or a cut fingernail; the genetic organic material present on these elements allows to perform an examination as accurate as that of the blood.
- Ask your vet if they have these kits; however, make sure you receive an official and valid certificate as a result of the test.
- It is important to note that only feathers plucked from the body (not those that fall spontaneously with moulting) contain enough DNA for a precise test; you have to detach one directly from the animal.
- You should get the results pretty quickly; usually, it takes 2-3 business days. A kit of this kind costs between 10 and 20 euros.
Warnings
- Always be cautious when handling parrots; Ashes can inflict severe injuries when bothered or frightened, so wait for the bird to calm down and feel comfortable with you.
- The only way to be absolutely sure of the gray parrot's sex is by testing its DNA.
