Seagreen hen?

[MariusStegmann]

Could this possibly be a seagreen hen? It looks like a cock, the orange mask is big and extends well past the eye. Also the mask area on top of the head is as large as you would associate with a cock. Plus it is very pretty and that almost always indicate a cock bird is the bird kingdom. The reason why I am starting to think it is a hen, it because it is mated up with a cock bird. This mate of this seagreen acts like a cock - chases other hens and fights with other cocks. It is not as if there are not unmated hens in the aviary either. There are 2 seagreen hens and a normal hen still available in the aviary.

[Sheather]

MariusStegmann Same-sex pairings are known to occur in most birds.

[MariusStegmann]

Sheather Granted, but I have never seen it happen with cocks when plenty of unmated hens are available. Or the other way around between hens when other cocks are available.

[monotwine]

Blue ring cock bird, orange ring hen. The seagreens are the one mutation in parrot finch which is easy to sex. The hens are always faded orange.
I stand to be corrected. These birds have a way of fooling you, but I've never seen a hen that bright.

[monotwine]

Must come visit you if you got lots of hens floating around! I'm short this year. 7 boys 2 girls

[Smurf]

It can happen that a hen is better coloured than a cock, i'd agree that same sex pairings when other mates are available is very rare, the seagreen colour can also vary a good bit, the orange ring looks more of a 'par blue' shade of seagreen which would explain the faded mask on cocks. I'd give them time to see what happens.

[MariusStegmann]

monotwine I was not really talking about the hen with the orange ring. That is one of my spare hens. Since I posted this post, I realized that the bird with the blue ring is really a cock. The seagreen cock is mated with the bird that I got from you - X Wayne. That bird is visually a cock. Acts like one too, fights with other parrotfinches - cocks and hens etc. Extremely jealous about other hens getting near the seagreen cock. They claim about 3 nests and defends them too. For a while I thought the seagreen might be a hen because the mate jumped on him and mated with him. Maybe she was just showing him the ropes.

[MariusStegmann]

monotwine You don't want seagreens I believe. I have only one spare redfaced hen. She is molting and looks a bit ratty at the moment.

[monotwine]

Hi Marius, so you sorted out the male female pair are they then? Maybe just a super charged hen. If their pairing results in fertile eggs, well then mystery would be solved.

Yes please, if you have spare hens keep them for me. Even a seagreen I will take rather than buying unknown. All those I bought as hens last year were cock birds! You just cannot tell without DNA sexing or having the time to watch their characters. I have new males that are all completely unrelated to any of my old stock too.

[MariusStegmann]

monotwine Yes will keep a normal hen for you.

[flymouse]

Where do you all buy your finches. I really would like to get some more finches, but all I can buy around here are Zebras, Society and Gouldian. Thanks

[MariusStegmann]

flymouse Mickey Jo, I buy my finches from breeders and one particular wholesaler / importer. But I am in Cape Town, South Africa. I suggest that you check who of the Forums members live in your area, and see who can hook you up with breeders.

[flymouse]

Thank you. Marius, I'm working on that. LOL. Figure if I find one then after Christmas I can get the money together again. LOL. Kids and Christmas are very expensive even when they are adults.