Tuesday 4 March 2014

Sexing Your Ringneck Parrot

Sexing Your Ringneck Parrot

Indian Ringnecks are sexually dimorphic, which means they can be sexed visually.  These parrots reach sexual maturity around 3 years of age and females can reach sexual maturity around 2 years of age.  It is important to understand that sexing these birds before 3 years can be difficult.  I have provided information, along with photos to help you better figure out the sex of your bird.
If you wish to find out if your parrot is a boy or girl before 3 years, the only alternative way is through DNA sexing.  This is very affordable and many companies will send a free kit out to anyone who is interested.  All you have to do is collect some feathers and send the kit back.  Within a few weeks or days you will be called, e-mailed, or faxed the results.  Most parrot DNA sexing agencies will send you a certificate to confirm the results.  DNA is 99.9 percent accurate if the samples were not accidentally contaminated.
Obviously, this parrot was given the name Rose-ringned Parakeet and Indian Ringneck due the male's ring around the neck.  This ring can start to appear around 17 months and can take as long as two molts to come in dark, bright, and thick.  If you wish to sex your parrot before 17 months without DNA sexing, and before the ring has come, you can do so by the behavior of your parrot.  A male ringneck will open his wings slightly in the shape of a heart and bow.  His eyes will pin (the pupil will get small) as he does this little display.  Try placing your ringneck in front of a mirror and see if it displays. 
Also, a male Indinan Ringneck’s stature is usually not as thick as the female ringneck. His head is also squarer and more vibrant around his cheeks.  He tail is slightly longer as well.  This technique can work for all ringneck mutations except lutino and albino Indian Ringnecks.
Male Ringneck

Female Ringneck

Female Indian Ringnecks do not get a ring; however, a slight green ring can be seen around the female’s neck.  Female ringnecks are much stockier and have thicker feet.  Their face is more rounded and their beak is not as prominent.  It takes a trained eye to sex ringnecks visually, even so, this is still not 100 percent accurate

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