Sexing societies

[ac12]

I searched the various theads on sexing societies.
I found 2 post, but they contradict each other.

#1
Look underneath their beak,
• the hens will have a sharper v shape,
• the cocks will have a larger U shape,
cocks beak is longer and has a slight hook to the top of it, cocks head width is also wider

#2
Another method I use to help sex societies in by looking at their beaks. If you have a true pair, take them side by side and examine their beaks (for reference). You should see a slight but definite difference in them.....the hen will have an overall slender, less bulky bill (and head) than the male. I especially look at the underside of their beaks where the lower mandible meets the throat.....
• on females it will be more "U" shaped and
• on your males it will be more of a "Y".

[tinysparrow]

hi gary,
how do you sex societies at the pet store? any good tricks? i'm sure the staff wouldn't be ok with me taking them out and examining their beaks

i'm sure i look like an insane bird stalker standing near the society cage for an hour trying to sex them visually, waiting for them to sing. today i was so sure i had bought 2 females (which i really need!), and i got them home and they began singing away argh!

[finchmix22]

I have found the "U" versus "V" shape to be unreliable and difficult to determine, especially on pied Societies. I watch them closely for singing and the males don't take long to let out their fun and engaging tunes. The hens just chirp and often sound like crickets.

[ac12]

@Amy
Actually I do that, I stand by the cage for a LONG time watching the birds. And whey they ask me if I want help, I tell them that I'm trying to figure out which ones are M and F.

The only way I know of is to watch which one sings.
That is a male.

Females are luck of the draw.
The ones that don't sing, could be a female or a male that just did not sing while you were watching.
And that is the bummer, as my next societies that I get will be hens. For foster parents, I find they SIT faster than males. Probably the maternal instinct.