The African Grey Parrot is known for its exceptional talking ability and high emotional sensitivity and is one of the most intelligent and beloved pet birds in the world. It may be helpful to know the sex of your parrot if you intend to breed, or if you're introducing another bird and want to prevent breeding. When comparing a male vs female African Grey Parrot, the differences are subtle but present in both physical features and behavior. However, each bird has its own unique personality, which often matters more than gender in daily interactions.
In this article, we'll go over all of the different characteristics you can look for to determine the sex of your African grey parrot.
Physical Characteristics
There are slight differences in body type and size between males and females.
1. Size and Shape:
- Males are usually 12-14 inches (30-35.5 cm) in height.
- Males are typically slightly larger with a more angular, square-shaped head and broader neck.
- Males heads tend to be small and flat, and their necks are shorter.
- Females will have a large, round head with a long neck.
2. Tail Shape and Color:
- Traditionally, male Greys have darker tail feather colors than hens. This technique should only be considered in birds older than 18 months.
- Some owners claim males have more pointed tail feathers, while females’ tails appear slightly rounded.
3. Feather Texture and Eye Color:
- Males typically have a darker and more uniform color than hens. This difference is very slight, so it can be hard to spot.
- Females may have slightly darker plumage and softer feather texture.
For most owners, these physical traits are not reliable enough for certainty. Visually sexing a parrot is never 100% reliable, with the exception of the dimorphic eclectus, whose genders are entirely different colors and were thought to be two different species in the wild for the many years before they became a popular companion parrot. In the cockatoo family, it’s in the eyes. The females typically have a lighter, chestnut color to their eyes, which is most easily seen in strong light. The male’s eyes are a very dark brown, nearly black. The male standard cockatiel will have a bright yellow head, with clearly defined orange cheek patches, while the female’s head coloring is less distinct.
You need to check what are called the "ventral feathers." These are a set of about 10 feathers found directly under the bird's tail. Females will have ventral feathers that are edged in a shade of gray. Males will have ventral feathers that are solid red. Keep in mind, this test is not accurate for young parrots. Someone sent me this link recently, and as I have questioned my friends with female greys, most have reported that theirs have this feather coloring. I feel that it is a fairly safe bet that if your has these feathers, it is likely a female.
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Observe your parrot when it is flapping its wings. You should be able to see three bands of gray on the underside of the wings. In females, the bands are usually gray, white, and dark gray.
Behavioral Tendencies
Keep in mind that these are general tendencies and not guarantees. It’s important to remember that each bird has its own unique personality, which often matters more than gender in daily interactions.
1. Males:
- Generally more assertive or dominant.
- They may display stronger territorial behavior and are more likely to become aggressive during the breeding season.
2. Females:
- Often more cautious, gentle, and nurturing.
- Some owners report that females are more consistent in bonding and less likely to show aggression.
3. Egg Laying:
- Only females can lay eggs.
Visual Gender Identification of African Grey Parrot | Sexing of African Grey | Male and Female - Eng
Scientific Methods for Determining Sex
A vet can use laboratory testing to determine the sex of your bird. However, it can be costly to take a bird in just for sex identification. If you're trying to breed, you will need a male and a female.
1. Veterinary Examination
Avian specialists are trained vets whose primary focus is birds. If you have other pets, talk to their vet. Make sure your vet is certified with the AAV or American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). Your vet may have other laboratory means to test the sex of your bird. Vets often use endoscopies to determine sex.
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2. DNA Testing
You may want a less invasive procedure to determine sex. With surgical and laboratory tests, there is always some risk of harm to your bird. You can gather DNA from plucked feathers, eggshells, or toenail clippings. You can talk to your vet to see if they can offer you this kit. It is important to note that blood feathers nor molted feathers contain enough DNA data for accurate testing. You should get your test results pretty quickly. It takes about 2-3 business days.
Other Considerations
Why does the male parrot bite a female human? They sometimes will bite anyone that it around their cage often. This is to show the human, in this case a female human, that they are the boss of their cage.
What can I give to my bird when its feathers are pulled out? Birds feathers can get pulled out by mistake. This is normal if he isn't bleeding after pulling them out and is acting normal. He should be fine and the feathers will take about six weeks to grow back. If you are concerned or feel he is acting different, you should take him to the vet. Always be careful when handling parrots.
Proper Care for African Grey Parrots
First, compare what you’re feeding your birds to what professional aviary keepers feed their African Greys:
- 70% high-quality pelleted medium to large parrot food from reputable brands like Kaytee, Zupreem, Harrison’s, or Lafeber (available online).
- 20% dark leafy greens such as kale, spinach, Swiss chard, cilantro, collard greens, turnip or beet greens, cooked sweet potato, squash, pumpkin, carrots with tops attached, dried chili pepper, and fresh yellow, green, and red peppers.
- Only 10% seeds and nuts. Avoid lettuce since it is mostly water and offers little nutritional value. Fruit is fine as an occasional treat but also contains about 90% water and can fill the bird without providing many nutrients.
Seeds are imbalanced in calcium and phosphorus, high in fat, and low in iodine, which can lead to health issues over time. Sunflower seeds are especially high in fat. Additionally, pet bird food often lacks proper shelf dating and may be over a year old when purchased. Cockatiels kept as pets typically live six to seven years, while those in professionally maintained aviaries can live up to 35 years, primarily due to diet.
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Proper rest is also important. Birds should get 12-14 hours of sleep under a dark cover in a quiet area away from TV, radio, or conversation noise.
Environmental enrichment plays a key role in their physical and emotional well-being. Introducing new toys regularly to prevent boredom and adding natural tree branches for safe chewing and interest can be beneficial. Only use non-toxic branches; a list is available here: www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml.
