Is Milhouse a Maggie?

[itchybear]

Hi guys,

Since I posted in the newbie section and then went reading some others posts, I think I've made an error in guessing my budgies sex.

I read at the beginning that males have a blue cere and females brown, so when seeing blue on both budgies a month or so ago, i presumed both boys and named them lenny and milhouse. However, on reading others posts on here and the behaviour of milhouse, I think she may be female (aka Maggie).

So this is Lenny, his definitely looks more purple...



And this is Milhouse / maggie...... he/ she seems to have light blue with white rings... so is Milhouse a hen and should perhaps better be known as maggie?



any help appreciated from yours truly a very novice budgie parent!!!

[nat]

Some hens retain a pale blue cere which can be confusing. Looks like a Maggie to me from the pic. Your description of her cere certainly does fit a hens and she actually looks rather feminine generally :-)

[itchybear]

Thanks Nat, I also think she's feminine in her behaviour, she sings less than Lenny and she certainly dominates the night perch for her corner, he gets pushed out the way . Also she is more hand tamed, whereas he avoids our hands completely, fine with the perch we offer him. It reminds me of cockatiels we had growing up, females were much more affectionate than the males and more hand tame.

Lenny spikes his forehead more and sings at himself in the water bowl which is steel so like a mirror!!!

Although new to budgie parenting, I have completely become obsessed with them, looking after them and watching them, they make me laugh so much!

Just out of interest, what is it you see about her that is feminine? Just to educate my novice mind!

[mizloco]

May 8, 2013 20:22:12 GMT itchybear said:

Although new to budgie parenting, I have completely become obsessed with them, looking after them and watching them, they make me laugh so much!

I so understand this my friends who do not have budgies think I have lost the plot. I went into work after the weekend with my video of Bert & Ernie in their new bath splashing about, they just laughed....at me not the budgies! Oh well I will have to live with my new obsession, as will you

[nat]

Difficult to explain, but the way the back of the skull is more tapering in its slope down and just the body shape looks hennish. I might just be imagining things lol If she turns out to be a boy I'll definately have to restore my mind and memory to factory settings lol ;-)

[itchybear]

May 8, 2013 20:36:06 GMT mizloco said:

May 8, 2013 20:22:12 GMT itchybear said:

Although new to budgie parenting, I have completely become obsessed with them, looking after them and watching them, they make me laugh so much!

I so understand this my friends who do not have budgies think I have lost the plot. I went into work after the weekend with my video of Bert & Ernie in their new bath splashing about, they just laughed....at me not the budgies! Oh well I will have to live with my new obsession, as will you

Completely, so glad to hear it's not just me! I do feel I chat about them a lot, but it makes up for all the times I hear about everyone's else's kids, new handbag purchase or shoes lol! 

P.s love the names bert &ernie, but was out voted by my simpsons clan!  

[itchybear]

May 8, 2013 20:41:25 GMT nat said:

Difficult to explain, but the way the back of the skull is more tapering in its slope down and just the body shape looks hennish. I might just be imagining things lol If she turns out to be a boy I'll definately have to restore my mind and memory to factory settings lol ;-)

I think I understand, she looks more slender and not as big. She's also more adventurous! Not sure if that makes a difference! 

[stace]

Looks like a hen to me with that whitish blue washed out cere.

[Hezz]

Definitely a Maggie, to me.

[itchybear]

Thanks everyone - she is officially renamed Maggie! I felt such a wally after posting them both on here then realising oh wait, Milhouse is not a boy!

Is it true that we shouldn't get any eggs if they don't have a nesting box?

[marleen4]

Just to confuse matters more, Lenny to me is a girls name, and the name of my daughter!
Must be a Dutch thing LOL.

Without nest box Maggie may still occasionally lay an egg, but they won't breed.

[nat]

Lol, I've had a Lulu that had to be renamed Mr Lulu :-D

[marleen4]

Mr Lulu sounds quite exotic!