Quick Gouldian Sexing/Breast Coloration Question

[rcharrod]

Hi All,
I saw this Gouldian in a pet shop today. Two quick questions - first, I assume it's a male given the bright blue ring around his face - and second, if a male, why is his purple breast kind of faded? He didn't appear to be molting, and I don't know his age. I only stopped in the shop quickly, so didn't have a chance to ask anyone there.

Thanks!

[debbie276]

Yes, looks like a male. The beast color could be caused by poor nutrition or poor lighting. Absolutely can be corrected with the next molt

[rcharrod]

Thanks, Debbie. One follow on question - with white breasted birds, what is the best way to sex them (if you can't use the "paler colored breast" comparison)? Is it the brightness of the band around the mask?

[debbie276]

The belly color of hens are paler then males. Males have longer tail-wires. Sometimes, depending on the mutation, the blue around the mask is darker on males. Singing is male for sure and a dark beak is hen, depending again on the mutation.

[rcharrod]

Ok, thanks. Thoughts on these two? (sorry for the sideways pictures...)

[debbie276]

I would guess hens but it's sometimes hard to get the colors right in pictures. The top one has a black beak so she's in breeding mode and the bottom one has the same colors has the top. Belly color looks dark in the picture but I'm guessing they are lighter in person. The blue around the mask looks like hens and I can't see the tail-wires to see if they are long or short. I'll also assume you haven't heard them sing or you wouldn't be asking

[rcharrod]

I'm gonna go out there again today and camp out for a bit to listen. I want to get a M/F pair, but don't want to get both from the same store (likely related), and I'd like to find two with different coloration, especially on the head. So, just deciding on whether or not to start with a purple or white breasted bird, I guess...

[rcharrod]

Just to close the thread, I did go out and purchase the purple breasted Gouldian today. And he is most definitely a male - home for 20 minutes and singing away! Now to find that hen...

[debbie276]

Congratulations and best of luck