Ask Lafeber

Cere color change

I have a parakeet which is about two years old. Shen we brought him home his cere was blue. About a year later it turned a tan/brownish color, however now is is turning blue and then brown about every month. Is he sick? He is behaving normal and is active and eating well. When he wants out of the cage he opens is seed dish gate.

Hi Elaine,

Cere changes are common depending on their age, hormonal state and health. You may actually have a female. With some of the mutations, the cere is not always a good indication of gender. But with a brown cere, it is usually a female in a hormonal state.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda