behavioral difference between genders?

Owlet

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Oct 27, 2016
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So if all goes well I may be getting a green cheek at the end of summer / early fall. And I'm trying to refresh my knowledge as it's been awhile since I've worked with green cheeks. Is there much or any of a difference between the genders?
 

SailBoat

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Jul 10, 2015
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DYH Amazon
As an Amazon Snob and regarding Amazons, as babies, there is little to no behavior differences at that age. Only once they have matured will behavior differences begin to show.

Guessing at gender has rarely worked for me, so I rely on DNA testing unless the specific species had long known physical differences.

Plus, this will bump you back-up the board.
 

SilverSage

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Sep 14, 2013
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In my experience the only meaningful gender difference is what sort of sexual behavior they display when hormonal. In some species there are a lot of differences but in gccs I haven’t noticed one really.


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noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
I haven't personally owned either gender, but females (in general) are at much greater risk for sexual issues (across species) in terms of egg-binding etc, so that is something to consider.
 

SilverSage

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Sep 14, 2013
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Eclectus, CAG, BH Pionus, Maximilian’s Pionus, Quakers, Indian Ringnecks, Green Cheeked Conures, Black Capped Conures, Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Budgies, Canaries, Diamond Doves, Zebra Finches, Society F
True males can’t egg bind, but your female bird won’t either if you are diligent with her health (with very few exceptions due to genetics or previous damage). Here’s my very wordy rant on the subject lol

http://silversageaviaries.com/handling-hormones/


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OP
Owlet

Owlet

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Oct 27, 2016
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Lincoln (Eclectus), Apollo (Cockatiel), Aster (GCC)
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I've been leaning toward getting a girl but that's only because of color preferences as the pair I'm looking at produced sex linked cinnamon but in the end you cant control nature so we will just see what produced especially since I've really come to love the appearance of yellow sided turq which they also produce but at the end of the day I'm not going to be picky about color I'll be happy with whatever. And since it doesnt appear theres any real behavioral difference other than expression of hormones at the end of the day gender doesnt matter
 

noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
Even if a female doesn't get egg-bound, they can also have prolapse issues etc (even without chronic egg-laying). The vet told me that in a very hormonal bird, the prolonged contractions of certain muscles can lead to prolapse etc, even if no eggs are ever formed.


it is stressful to have one more thing to wonder about when they start acting off....It's like, "is she sick, or is this an egg? or is an egg making her sick?"
So for me, the binding thing is scary, but it isn't the only risk in terms of females and hormones (a laying female alone is stressful, even if the eggs pass). The toll it takes on their bodies to make an egg is also significant in terms of calcium etc...So you just don't want them laying often, even if they are passing the eggs okay.

At least if a male bird is acting super weird/eating less it is probably sick, vs getting ready to lay an egg. With a female, it could be sickness, an egg, or an egg causing sickness.


You do you- I am just saying that it is another added stress that I could personally do without. If your bird is picky (which can happen) it can add another layer of stress because diet is so important.
 
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