Pet Information > ASK Experts > Pet Birds > Budgies > Can Budgies change genders?

Can Budgies change genders?

23 9:44:50

Question
Hi~
I have had my two budgies for about a year, I got them to replace my previous birds who had died about a month earlier. Now I thought (because of the colors of their ceres) that I had a male and a female. They were young when I got them and Charlies (one of the two birds) cere color appears to have changed from a light blue to a pink color. Was "he" ever a boy and is "he" now a she?

Answer
No, budgies can't change genders, but the ceres can change color, which can lead to some confusion.  Pink ceres are a recessive trait found in male budgies.  Because it isn't the dominant genetic trait, it doesn't always show up right away.  Both blue and pink ceres are male characteristics, and he is still a he.