First time Budgie

[jenelliott]

Hello Everyone,

Hoping for some help with my first Budgie named Gabriel. I wanted a male, but not sure he is now. 

First, I believe he is quite young, but not sure of his age. I think he is Opaline because the lines on his head are light blue and do go all the way to his cere, but it is very hard to see or photograph, unless very close to him. He still has some black on the tip of his beak and no Iris ring. Any suggestions on age would be great. 

I got him from PetSmart on 8/8/19. He is very sweet, doesn't try to bite, beginning to sing more and loves toys. It's hard to see in the photos, but he has quite long and full mask feathers, to the point it hides his beak. I don't know if females have this? Head bobbing a little too.

His Cere looks like a dark purple/blue. But it is lighter around his nostrils. The photos make it look lighter than it actually is. I used a full spectrum lamp to be able to get a clear pictures, no flash. The last photo is the closest to actual color.

He acts male to me, from what I've read, but his Cere looks a little female to me. He may have some pied coloration to him. Just one nickel  sized area on the back of his head where it meets his back is blue stripes on white rather than blue on yellow.  Also, any ideas on his color genetics would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

Blessings,
Jennifer

[ffiscool]

Welcome. A lovely bud. I think it could be Gabrielle but I’m looking on my phone, so might not be as clear

[Marianne Marlow]

Gabriel may well be a hen if the photos are true representations of colour. The black tip could suggest that Gabriel is about 2 months old. They usually lose it by about 12 weeks I think, but not sure on that.

Iris rings I think come in about 6 months.

Looks like a sky blue opaline, yellow face.

[Marianne Marlow]

By the way, hens have great characters, so don't be put off by that. I have a hen that also sings well.

Contrary to popular belief they can also learn to talk.

[Hezz]

Agree, a little hen.

Mutation, I'd say she is a yellow-faced sky blue opaline. Not pied.

Edit: Sorry, Marianne Marlow; I didn't see your take on her mutation. At least we are in agreement.

[jenelliott]

Thanks for the responses!

I've had Gabriel for ten days so he/she was probably just two months old, unless pet stores sell them younger? Gab was smaller than the other Budgies.

So if Gabriel is a she, are hens harder to hand tame? Also are they up for cuddles? Gabriel is very gentle and knock wood, hasn't tried to bite. I think he/she is still getting used to the cage. It's probably too big for taming purposes, 24"x 24"x 6 feet tall. I just want one bird, and Gabriel will have access to the bedroom for play/flight time once reliably hand tame. Hopefully Gabriel will be happy with me.

Thanks for any info and tips!

Blessings,
Jennifer