The African gray parrot (African gray parrot) is a popular smart bird. Of course, it can be useful to know the sex of a parrot especially if you want to breed it or want to introduce it to other birds and prevent birds from mating. Physically, there is no way to determine the sex, although there are some characteristics that tend to differ somewhat between males and females. You should contact an avian veterinarian or do a DNA test to get a definitive answer. This is the only way to know for sure the sex of the African gray parrot.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Paying Attention to Physical Traits
Step 1. Pay attention to the body
There are slight differences in body type and size between males and females. First, look at the bird's general body type to see if the parrot is likely to be male or female. From there, you can observe more subtle physical characteristics.
- Males usually have a height of 30-35 cm. While females are generally shorter than that.
- The body of the male African gray parrot is somewhat rounded, while the female tends to be more slender.
- The male's head tends to be small and flat, and the neck is shorter. While the female tends to have a longer neck with a larger and more rounded head.
Step 2. Observe the color of the bird
Male parrots are usually darker and more uniform in color than female parrots. In contrast, the female has a light to dark color gradation from the neck to the abdomen.
This technique should only be applied to birds older than 18 months. The plumage of chicks is still in its infancy and its color will change with age
Step 3. Observe the tail feathers
Usually, male gray parrots have darker tail feathers than females. You should check the section called "ventral feathers". This is a group of feathers consisting of 10 strands and can be found just below the tail. You can lift the bird and gently turn it over to examine its feathers.
- The female parrot has ventral feathers with gray tips. Male parrots have solid red ventral feathers. There may be a thin white stripe on the male's fur.
- Remember, this test is not accurate for young parrots. You can't rely on tail feathers to determine the sex of a bird unless it's 18 months or older.
Step 4. Observe the parrot's wings
Watch the parrot as it flaps its wings. You will see 3 gray lines at the bottom of the wing. The color of this line is slightly different in males and females.
- In female parrots, this stripe is usually gray, white, and dark gray. In males, this stripe is gray, gray, and dark gray.
- Because it is so small, this difference is hard to see. In addition to the color of the wings, you'll need to look at other physical characteristics of the African gray parrot to determine the sex.
Method 2 of 2: Consult an Expert
Step 1. Find a reputable ornithologist in your area
An ornithologist is a trained veterinarian whose primary focus is on birds. Veterinary associations and their official websites will provide information on certified veterinarians in your area.
- You can also do a basic internet search with the keyword “vet in my area”.
- If you also have other animals, check with the vet. He may be able to refer you to an avian specialist or be able to do a blood test or DNA test at his clinic.
- Make sure the doctor is certified. They can provide the documentation to prove this.
Step 2. Ask the ornithologist to find out the sex of the parrot
Your vet can use laboratory tests to determine the sex of your African parrot. Examining a bird just to identify its sex can be quite expensive. However, you may need to find out. To breed birds, you will need both male and female birds. If you bring a new gray parrot into your home and want to prevent it from mating, make sure both birds are of the same sex or sterilize your parrot.
- Veterinarians usually use an endoscope to determine sex. This method uses a telescope to examine the bird's internal organs.
- Veterinarians may have other laboratories used to check the sex of birds. The method of sex screening will depend on the bird's overall health and medical history. So talk to your vet about this.
Step 3. Do a DNA test at home
You may want a simpler procedure to determine the sex of a parrot. With surgery as well as laboratory tests, there is always a risk of harm to birds. You can get a self-testing set of DNA test kits or a blood card that can be mailed for DNA test results. This tool is easy to assemble and use.
- You can collect parrot DNA from plucked feathers, egg shells, and nail clippings. DNA collection from these samples is just as accurate as DNA testing from blood samples.
- You can ask your veterinarian to see if he has the test kit. However, make sure you get a DNA document certificate from the results of this test.
- You need to know, both blood and feathers pulled, both contain enough DNA data for accurate testing. You must pluck the feathers directly from the bird.
- The test results will be out in no time. It will take about 2-3 working days. The price of DNA test kits ranges from IDR 120,000-150,000.
Warning
- Always be careful when handling parrots. The African gray parrot can cause serious injury if disturbed or intimidated. So, wait until the bird is calm and comfortable to hold.
- The only way to 100% confirm the sex of an African gray parrot is with a DNA test.
