Male Female

Examine the tail No markings or dots on the Horizontal stripes (grey/dark grey
underside of the tail feathers or white/grey or yellow/grey) or
markings (dots) on the underside
of the tail feathers

Examine the face Vivid orange spots on a bright Lighter orange spots on a
yellow face muted-yellow or grey face

Look at body Darker grey plumage Lighter grey plumage

plumage
Faint yellow spots on underside
of wings

Pearled-breed females will have

white dots

Listen to Talkative, often whistling Quieter, may hiss or screech

vocalizations

Hold up a mirror Strutting, calling to, or displaying Little to no interest in mirrors

curiosity about the mirror

Look for courting Loudly tapping the beak against Little to no courting behaviors
rituals objects
If a male is present, she may sit
Strutting while whistling or on a low perch, quietly peep, and
beak-tapping lift her tail in the air

Hopping and/or head-dips

Lifting wings slightly away from

the body (creating a heart-shape
from behind)

Look for Humping an object Backing up against an object

masturbation (bent forward with her tail in the
methods Standing over an object and air)
rubbing its vent (or bottom) on it

Watch for egg-laying No egg-laying Will lay eggs

Tip: give each bird a Note: To avoid health issues,

separate cage or young females (under 18 months)
nesting box should not be given a nesting
box.
Visit a veterinarian Narrow hips Wider hips

A professional will
look at the bird’s
hip-width and can
even give you a DNA
test.