Sexing European Golds

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:18 pm

Hi,

my local Petstore finally managed to order in a pair of European Golds for me. Now I have researched how to sex these lil guys and have found that the wing colour is the most important(hens shoulders are more beige while males are black).

The breeder they got them from guaranteed that they are a pair but I have my doubts. Both of them are young birds and one is just finishing up molting in his/her red mask.

Yes, there is a difference in the mask in both birds, but both have black shoulders. I thought the shoulders were a safer way to determine gender then the masks, but I am hoping now that I am wrong!!!
Am I wrong or is there a very big chance that both of my new birdies are boys?

I don't think I could return either, they are both awefully cute.

Anna

EmilyHurd · Post by **EmilyHurd** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:32 am

Which petstore is it? Most petstores have a 14 day return policy on birds.[/list]

marocanary · Post by **marocanary** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:45 am

Hello
a picture of sexage goldfinch

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:01 pm

@marocanary- sadly the mask isn't always as obvious as the one on your picture. I have seen breeding pairs were both male and female had huge masks and strong colours, only difference was the wings.

Like I said, mine are still Juvies and neither have a nice big mask or small mask, both have these inbetween mask that could be either gender....

Our Store is a privately owned small Garden, Farm and Pet store, and last time I checked they had a 3 day return policy on any of their animals.

Esspecially cause they ordered them in just for me I doubt they'll take them back. Like I said I don't want to give them back either, I probably try to get them to order in another one for me tho for less; cause for one I am pretty sure both mine are male and one turns out to have an old fracture on its leg that grew together crooked so when he gets spooked too much his achilles tendond slips and his foot is crooked. It seems to be quite a bit older cause he doesn't bother with it much, and its hard to notice at times cause he manages to hold his foot in a way that it looks like he is sitting on it even tho he isn't.

I probably go and talk to them today. Problem is they do not know how to sex them and trust the breeder they get them from to know what she is doing. They really just order in that pair I requested and call me as soon as they arrive.

The breeder isn't local either.

Another Goldfinch has to wait for now tho, I spend the last bit of my money on these 2 beauties.

Anna

marocanary · Post by **marocanary** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 1:32 pm

Hello
another easy-way for sexer goldfinch

Boothcreek · Post by **Boothcreek** » Fri Nov 02, 2007 10:36 pm

Here are some pics of my 2 boys, the plucked looking one is still working on feathering in his mask. He is a beautiful singer. The other hasn't sung yet, but he probably is still a bit stressed and having a bum leg isn't really helping him with feeling comfertable and all.

here are both giving me the "what do you want" stare

and here are they side by side again