Gouldian Mix Up

[lyzzyjayne]

These are my Gouldians. I have them two and two females. I got these two males at the same time from the same place ands they have always been "bonded" singing and dancing to each other. I put next boxes in the cage hoping for some babies. The two red heads immediately jumped in one of the boxes and started "mating" they have built a nest and one of them has been sitting in the nest and guarding it for days like he is sitting on eggs. Has anyone ever heard of this? By their color there is NO WAY I have a female, right?!! I haven't looked in the nest yet.

[Perfex]

I take it that all 4 are in the same cage, and that the boys are sticking together as a bonded pair. I would suggest splitting them up and putting a true pair each in their own cage. Good luck.

[finchandlovebird]

Those red heads look like 2 MALES

[wilkifam]

Both males

[lyzzyjayne]

Well there is and egg in the nest. Whoevers it is, she is not interested in sitting on it and he is overly interested.

[debbie276]

Usually pairs wait till there are 3 to 4 eggs in the nest before seriously sitting on them. Are you sure you are just missing when she is in the nest? Both male and female sit on eggs, I'm not sure I understand your concern.

[PrettyBird]

Looks liek 2 males for sure. They both have red tipped beaks...

Do you have other finches in the cage? Someone else could have laid the egg in the nest.

[debbie276]

Looks liek 2 males for sure. They both have red tipped beaks...

Do you have other finches in the cage? Someone else could have laid the egg in the nest.

poster said they are with 2 hens so I'm not sure what the question is.

[PrettyBird]

Oops! sorry about that

[debbie276]

Oops! sorry about that

Dee, just to clairify, I was NOT confused about YOUR question. I'm confused about the posters question/concern. I wouldnt want any misunderstandings

[PrettyBird]

oh ok! sorry lol I wasnt reading it right.

[Matthias]

2 males.. although from my experience gouldians do not really show much love to their mates.. so maybe when you are not around one of the males is getting frisky with one of the females and you have only happened to see the male sit on the egg/s .. good luck though

[MiaCarter]

If I understand properly, the OP's question surrounds whether one of the red-headed males could actually be female, as this couple seems to have an egg in their nest.
And if they're both males, then obviously, the egg is curious!

But as the others said, I bet there was some covert mating action or it's just one of the females laying in whatever nest happened to be closest when the need arose.

I have a pair that sits from the very first egg, so I know that's certainly possible.

I'll be curious to see if it's fertile! That will certainly answer any questions concerning whether there's any mating action taking place!

I too would split them into M/F pairs if you're seeking to breed.

[Colt]

Considering the OP was sometime in April I will agree that the two male birds were in a cage and bonded before the addition of two females. The picture is certainly of two males. One of the hens must have layed the egg. Whether it was fertile or not I wouldn't hazard a guess.

[ac12]

I have been fooled a few times.
I have hens with deep rich un-mottled colors that look just like males. And they laid eggs when paired with a male, so yes they are/were hens.
So one cannot go on feather color alone.