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gouldian question
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 6:39 pm
by dfcauley
I was told this was a hen and I am sure that it is...... but I have never had a hen to do the mating dance by hopping up and down. Do hens also do this sometimes? Please tell me this is a hen and not a cock.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:24 pm
by the.puppeteer
It is indeed a hen and a very pretty one at that. Note the pale yellow stomach, the pale purple (though that could technically be lilac on a male), and the blue ring around the head mask is quite faint.
Some of my hens will do the dance in response to the male. Some just shake their heads oddly lol.
-Julie
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:36 pm
by dfcauley
Well I am sure it was, but when I saw it hopping I had to wonder for a minute.
It doesn't take much to confuse me!
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:36 pm
by dfcauley
Well I am sure it was, but when I saw it hopping I had to wonder for a minute.
It doesn't take much to confuse me! Thanks.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:55 pm
by kittani79
Wait... what about the beak? All the hens I've ever seen have black tips -- this bird has red.
Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 11:10 pm
by B CAMP
The beaks are black when there in breeding condition as far as I know.
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:55 am
by poohbear
It's a hen...
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:36 am
by dfcauley
poohbear wrote:It's a hen...
The expert has spoken!
Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:46 am
by jamezyboo21
Its a very pretty bird
I think it's a male
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 6:12 am
by franceska
I might be wrong here, but as far as I know males have red beaks and females greyish-black. The colours intense when they are in breeding season. This, in combination with the jumping display, strongly indicates it is a male if you ask me.
Re: I think it's a male
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:34 am
by L in Ontario
franceska wrote:I might be wrong here, but as far as I know males have red beaks and females greyish-black.
Hens can have red beaks too.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:20 am
by poohbear
On the left, one of my best hens in winter...red beak.
Both sexes occasionally do the hopping routine,although mostly the cocks. And both will lower their heads to the perch shaking their heads rapidly.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:21 am
by the.puppeteer
RH and BH hens (unless the BH is YTB but I'm not getting into that lol) have red beaks when not in breeding condition that turn black.
In breeding condition:
Not in breeding condition (the top hen is the same as the last photo):
Sorry it's not the best comparison, I don't have a photo of her with a pure red or black beak.
-Julie
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:22 am
by the.puppeteer
Bah! Beaten by a minute.
-Julie
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 10:11 am
by franceska
[quote="poohbear"]On the left, one of my best hens in winter...red beak.
Oooh... you completely ruined my self esteem when it comes to sexing birds now
But which females get red beaks? Any specific colour combinations? Although the female on the picture seems to be "wild colour"... Is it a separate trait then?
Enlighten me please!