Hi,
Quick Update – My Alexandrine has had his foot fully recovered and is doing pretty good now. And I’m confused if he is a male or not. He does those eye pins along with wing spreads like the male parrots on the internet do. I’ve had him for more than a year now and he still hasn’t grown a ring. I can e-mail some pictures of him if you want.
Hi,
Behavior is definitely not a good indication of gender – the females will act the same way. The eye pinning and wing movements are a sign of excitement, and not necessarily a hormonal behavior. I mean, it’s based on hormones, but they will display for someone they really like and it’s not necessarily a courting action. He’s been through a lot and this may be delaying his molt into adult colors, or he may be a she. Usually the first color changes are not until they are over a year, and it can take up to three years to be fully transformed. It can start with just one feather, and then nothing until the next molt. Keep in mind the feathers do not change colors once they grown in. He will only grow new colors with each new molt. I am glad his foot healed up!
Thank you for asking Lafeber,
Brenda
