FINCHforum

Could this possibly be a seagreen hen? It looks like a cock, the orange mask is big and extends well past the eye. Also the mask area on top of the head is as large as you would associate with a cock. Plus it is very pretty and that almost always indicate a cock bird is the bird kingdom. The reason why I am starting to think it is a hen, it because it is mated up with a cock bird. This mate of this seagreen acts like a cock - chases other hens and fights with other cocks. It is not as if there are not unmated hens in the aviary either. There are 2 seagreen hens and a normal hen still available in the aviary.

MariusStegmann Same-sex pairings are known to occur in most birds.

Sheather Granted, but I have never seen it happen with cocks when plenty of unmated hens are available. Or the other way around between hens when other cocks are available.

Blue ring cock bird, orange ring hen. The seagreens are the one mutation in parrot finch which is easy to sex. The hens are always faded orange.
I stand to be corrected. These birds have a way of fooling you, but I've never seen a hen that bright.

Must come visit you if you got lots of hens floating around! I'm short this year. 7 boys 2 girls

It can happen that a hen is better coloured than a cock, i'd agree that same sex pairings when other mates are available is very rare, the seagreen colour can also vary a good bit, the orange ring looks more of a 'par blue' shade of seagreen which would explain the faded mask on cocks. I'd give them time to see what happens.

monotwine I was not really talking about the hen with the orange ring. That is one of my spare hens. Since I posted this post, I realized that the bird with the blue ring is really a cock. The seagreen cock is mated with the bird that I got from you - X Wayne. That bird is visually a cock. Acts like one too, fights with other parrotfinches - cocks and hens etc. Extremely jealous about other hens getting near the seagreen cock. They claim about 3 nests and defends them too. For a while I thought the seagreen might be a hen because the mate jumped on him and mated with him. Maybe she was just showing him the ropes.

monotwine You don't want seagreens I believe. I have only one spare redfaced hen. She is molting and looks a bit ratty at the moment.

Hi Marius, so you sorted out the male female pair are they then? Maybe just a super charged hen. If their pairing results in fertile eggs, well then mystery would be solved.

Yes please, if you have spare hens keep them for me. Even a seagreen I will take rather than buying unknown. All those I bought as hens last year were cock birds! You just cannot tell without DNA sexing or having the time to watch their characters. I have new males that are all completely unrelated to any of my old stock too.

monotwine Yes will keep a normal hen for you.

Where do you all buy your finches. I really would like to get some more finches, but all I can buy around here are Zebras, Society and Gouldian. Thanks

flymouse Mickey Jo, I buy my finches from breeders and one particular wholesaler / importer. But I am in Cape Town, South Africa. I suggest that you check who of the Forums members live in your area, and see who can hook you up with breeders.

Thank you. Marius, I'm working on that. LOL. Figure if I find one then after Christmas I can get the money together again. LOL. Kids and Christmas are very expensive even when they are adults.