I am an ecologist by training (but mostly worked on mathematical models of ecosystems). And my sisters and nieces and nephews have had a wide variety of pets, so I am quite used to having animals around.
This year, I have purchased a number of budgies, for the first time since I was a kid back in the stone age.
I have spent some time studying budgie ecology, genetics and behaviour. But I have a long long way to go.
I realize the cere in male pied budgies will remain pink/purple. but does it change to tan/brown on females as they mature? If so, at what age? I am guessing, from their behaviour toward each other, that my group of pied budgies have some male and some female birds, but even though they're going on a year old, it is impossible to tell from their ceres (all different shades of pink/purple).
I have a couple violet opaline budgies, and the breeder that sold them to me told me that they're female. But I am having doubts as they've molted, and are around 5 or 6 months old, and it seems to me that their ceres are changing from a dark pink to dark blue (although given the quality of light, they may be a really dark purple). So, what colour changes should I see in what time frame? Or did the breeder get it wrong?
I have a couple really striking birds: bright green opaline spangles. Ignoring their ceres (which tell me they're still very young), the only colours on them are green and yellow, with the wings looking entirely yellow from a distance (close up, there are clear light green lines about a millimetre from the end of each feather on the wings and the back of the head and neck). If they turn out to be of opposite gender, it will be interesting to see what progeny they produce!
Just like orchids, there's always room for at least one more.
But seriously, I keep them in large flight cages, and no bird is alone. I make sure they have plenty to play with and companions to interact with.Cheers,
Ted
