Gouldian behavior

[Summer Bird]

I have a pair of Gouldians that I acquired a few months ago; they are a male/female pair. As I've watched them interact with each other, I've noticed some behaviors that I'm curious about.

The male is generally very quiet; he doesn't sing or try to court the female much. The female seems to try to get his attention by flitting into his range of vision if he turns his back on her. She'll also stand on her perch when she sees that he is looking, and kind of rear back so that her beak is pointing straight up at the ceiling or even slightly farther back. Sometimes she'll also get close to the male and open her mouth, facing him, while making small chirping sounds. The male, for his part, usually seems largely uninterested in her antics. So I guess my main question is, what does this behavior on the part of the female mean? What's she trying to "say"?

The pair have never bred, and the female is about a year old; I think the male is a little younger than that. The female's beak is mostly black right now, which I've read is a sign that she is in breeding condition; is this true?

[lovemyfinch]

Sounds like my new pair. She is more than likely ready, while he is either too young, or just not in breeding mode yet. What colour is his beak? My cocks beak is just now turning red, but has yet to dance. He does sing all day long, but I have never seen him dance. I have already noticed that with gouldians you can't rush things, they will get down to business when they are good and ready, and not a minute sooner.

[L in Ontario]

I agree with Janine - sounds like they are not in synch with each other yet. Some just take longer than others. I have a couple of males that it took over a year for them to get interested in any females. Good luck!

[Summer Bird]

Sounds like my new pair. She is more than likely ready, while he is either too young, or just not in breeding mode yet. What colour is his beak? My cocks beak is just now turning red, but has yet to dance. He does sing all day long, but I have never seen him dance. I have already noticed that with gouldians you can't rush things, they will get down to business when they are good and ready, and not a minute sooner.

The male's beak is pale with a red tip.

It seemed strange to me because when I got the female, she was with a different male, who was constantly singing and dancing for her, and she pretty much just ignored him. The original male died not long after I got the birds, so I got a new male and ever since I put him in with Goldy (the female), Goldy has been acting like she craves his attention, which she NEVER did with the first male.

I'd like for them to breed eventually, but I'm not really in any hurry.