Sigh, lovebird DNA sexing (744 views)

[deebee]

I am feeling quite bummed out right now! It's not a really big deal but I was having all fingers and toes crossed for good results

I keep two black cheeked lovebirds. I've had them around 2 years and although they've nested with no success I always assumed they were a true pair! Nope. Got my DNA results in today and they're both boys   

It's not the end of the world. I very much so enjoy their antics and love them so much just as it is so it's not that important. I just really wanted to breed such an amazing and rare species of lovebird that I'm very lucky to keep   Last week I was offered birds from Belgium (I think it was the guy said) so I'm just looking at the rules regarding bringing birds from an EU country to another. I believe they need a health certificate which I am hoping goes alongside disease testing. If I can source some more, I can increase the quality of birds being bred here in the UK as we have a very small gene pool for the black cheeked. Fingers crossed again that all of this goes to plan! 

Just thought I'd vent a little, sorry 

[Haimovfids]

Those type of news are always so discouraging. I'm sorry. It must of really sucked to find that out when you were pumped to get some rare species of lovebirds. I seriously hope your new plan follows through. I haven't heard of a Black Cheeked Lovebird, I'll look it up on google now.

[deebee]

There isn't a lot of information about them on the web. Here's a bit of it beautyofbirds.com/blackcheeklovebirds.html A lot of people seem to think that I'm talking about the black masked (which I also keep) but they are two completely different species. I find the black cheeks absolutely lovely. They're very docile, not very lovebird-like at all

[Haimovfids]

They are really cute! I want one :love:

[deebee]

If you can source them then I 10/10 recommend them. They are hard to find in private collections though. If you want one, get about 3-4 pairs so you can breed with a more diverse gene pool A lot of the captive birds are inbred

[Haimovfids]

I would love one but i dont think I can get one because they are very rare and because they wont get along with cockatiels. I am limited to cockatiels and princess of wales parrots. Have you ever owned a princess of wales parrot?

[Bluekeet]

I had a black masked lovebird. I thought he was a hen too. Nope. Cock. 

He was my one of my best friends for a few years. He was treated poorly before I adopted him. He chose me as his close friend. Never bit me. I miss him.

[Haimovfids]

How long was it since you lost him?

[Bluekeet]

I think I lost him in 2012.

[Haimovfids]

So its been around 3 years. I wish I knew Teak, he sounded like an awesome bird from your stories about him.