For most budgies with special genes, it is easy to judge the age of the parrot by observing the appearance characteristics. Age here is mainly used to distinguish between nestlings, sub-adults or adults.
The age of a parrot that has not yet experienced its first molt is difficult to guess. All parrots that have not yet molted are under 4 months old. Except for the tiger skins with yellowing, albino , and recessive Pat genes, they all have dark brown eyes like small buttons and "tiger spots" all over their heads. The nasal wax membrane is pink regardless of male or female.
Under four months | Matt color, pink nasal wax film
When 4 months old, the budgerigar will undergo a major moult and shed its childhood feathers. The markings on the top of the head and above the bird's beak will also fade and turn into a light-colored patch, like a hat on its head, called a "cap." White circles will appear around the eyeballs, and the nasal wax membrane will begin to change color.
More than four months |Bright coat color, blue nasal cere membrane
htmlBudgerigars under 44 months old have many black markings on their heads and completely black eyes. Lutino and albino budgies have red eyes. The nasal wax membrane is pink, with the male bird more purple and the female bird more white.
Determining the gender of a budgie
Female bird 01
html The nasal wax film of a budgie begins to develop color around 44 months old, making it easy to distinguish the gender. The nasal wax membrane of the female bird will change from pink to white, and there will be a faint white ring around the nostrils. In a few cases, it will be white and blue. This is a female bird that has not entered the breeding period.
Female Bird 02
html The nasal wax membrane of the female bird that is about to enter the breeding period will turn into wheat color at about 46 months old. In the 7th month when it officially enters the breeding period, the nasal wax membrane will deepen, turn into chocolate brown, and appear wrinkled. Although it is said that budgies are capable of breeding at 7 months old, we still recommend that breeders wait until the parrots are one year old before breeding.
Female bird 03
Female bird will lay eggs even in the absence of male birds, which are unfertilized white eggs. Pay close attention to whether the mother bird is laying eggs, as there is a risk of egg stuck. At the same time, provide sufficient calcium to the mother bird laying eggs.
Female bird 04
Most male birds’ nasal wax membrane will turn from pink to purple after moulting. However, the color of the nasal wax membrane of yellow, albino, and recessive budgies with the Pat gene will not change significantly and will remain pink throughout their lives. The most practical way to tell the sex is to observe their behavior. The male bird will jump back and forth between perches, nod up and down, and make chirping sounds. The male bird will also tap the female bird or a perch with his beak and spit out food for the female bird to eat. The nasal wax of some male birds will have a less obvious white color or become completely white. The nasal wax membrane of male budgerigars will turn blue when they enter the breeding season.
male bird 01
After the male budgerigar bird enters the estrus period, he will choose his partner and spit food to express his love. So don’t be too concerned if you see a parrot spitting food at a toy or companion.
Male 02
Source: BUDGIE SEX & AGE, Budgies101
