FINCHforum

I have 8 new Hecks Grassfinch. I love them they are so beautiful, but I can not, for the life of me sex them. I know the males bib is supposed to be wider, but I have a hard time determining that. I have watched for singing but they all chirp, Do the males have a very distinctive song? Do the males have brighter beaks because I have heard some people say yes and others say it is not a factor. I guess my final and deciding question is, will they shack up with another grasstail of the same sex, like societies and zebras or does it have to be a male/female pair in the nest. I am looking forward to all of your insight as I am just at my wits end. Thank you all so much in advance for your thoughts

My male shaft tail (also known as Hecks Grassfinch) definitely has a distinctive song. He actually has two and sometimes three songs, and each one is beautiful. My female only chirps. His bib is bigger (wider) than the female, and his beak is a darker colour. My male is also smaller. With that said you can easily distinguish the male from the female. I will put up pics of my two. The male is on the left.
I've only had male/female pairs so I can't help you with your last question.
Good luck!

It's something I'd like to know, also. I've had a pair for over a year now, they built many nests.. do alot of singing and preening AND sitting in the nest.. but never an egg! I think I have two males, otherwise I'd probably have a nestfull of eggs or some chicks, right?

Pukasand wrote:It's something I'd like to know, also. I've had a pair for over a year now, they built many nests.. do alot of singing and preening AND sitting in the nest.. but never an egg! I think I have two males, otherwise I'd probably have a nestfull of eggs or some chicks, right?

I think so Judy, in my case if I put a nest in the cage eggs are sure to follow.

Thank you so much for your help, I am still having trouble but I think they are pairing up on their own. I hope I can correctly guess 2 pairs, I would kick myself if I and up selling the wrong ones. With your help I am fairly confident I have picked the right ones. Thank you again.