Is my Alex a "he" or "she"???

[Nzyme]

Hi there,

I own an alexandrine parakeet and "he" is around 2 years old now. I know that a male develops a black ring on the neck which the female does not have. These parrots have an average life span of around 40 years. While purchasing, I asked the seller to ensure it is a male but i am still not certain.

Question: At this age (around 2 years), how can I confirm the sex of my alex? Moreover, at what age will I see the ring on his neck (if he is a male)? Any other characteristics that give me info on their sex??? Let me know if u need any more info.

Thanks!

[Polarn]

I am not really sure about the alexandrines, when they evelop the black ring etcetera, however.. if your eager to know why not ask the vet to take a DNA sample at your next checkup, sure if you have just been you may have to wait for a year or however often you do your checkups in order to simply add a DNA test to the list of things to be done during the checkup. If you have never been doing a regular checkup, then its time to go to the vet anyways for a checkup and some tests and you might as well do that ASAP wich means you get to know pretty much for sure weather or not its a male or female. While the only way to know the gender for absolutely sure is catching a hen lay an egg... DNA sexing is probably by far the most acurate method.

[Nzyme]

I am not really sure about the alexandrines, when they evelop the black ring etcetera, however.. if your eager to know why not ask the vet to take a DNA sample at your next checkup, sure if you have just been you may have to wait for a year or however often you do your checkups in order to simply add a DNA test to the list of things to be done during the checkup. If you have never been doing a regular checkup, then its time to go to the vet anyways for a checkup and some tests and you might as well do that ASAP wich means you get to know pretty much for sure weather or not its a male or female. While the only way to know the gender for absolutely sure is catching a hen lay an egg... DNA sexing is probably by far the most acurate method.

Thanks for your response. One quick question. My parrot starts whistling for a long time every day after I am back from work which is getting very frustrating. I mean anyone would love to hear birds chirp & whistle but this continuous whistling as though he is trying to tell me something or wanting something. I made sure it's not food/water, etc that he wants. I think he/she is trying to grab my attention. My parrot flutters it's wings just like a chick flutters when it's mom returns back to the nest with some food. Any ideas?

[Khaiqha]

Well, a full ring doesn't develop until 3 years of age, but my alexandrine already has 2/3 of his ring at a year and a half.

[Nzyme]

Well, a full ring doesn't develop until 3 years of age, but my alexandrine already has 2/3 of his ring at a year and a half.

Oh, there are no signs of any ring on my alex. She is about 3 years now. Thanks for confirming.

[Raa]

Boys have big flat heads... the bird in your DP looks female to me.