Young or Adult ??
The following 4 pointers are a good way of knowing whether your budgie is Young or Adult.
A:
Check the forehead. Young Budgies have stripes extending down to their
ceres, while adult Budgies loose the striping and have a clear
forehead.
Exception: Some pied birds are born with clear foreheads. Always check other pointers.
Exception: Some pied birds are born with clear foreheads. Always check other pointers.
B:
Young Budgies are born with no iris ring, they have big black eyes. As
they mature, an iris ring becomes obvious gradually. Mature Budgies
will have a white iris ring around their eyes.
Exception: Recessive pied Budgies don't get white iris rings. Always check other pointers.
Exception: Recessive pied Budgies don't get white iris rings. Always check other pointers.
C:
Ceres: Young Budgies ceres are pinkish, almost translucent. Adult
Budgies have well marked cere colors. It is blue in males and chalky
white to brown in females.
Exception: Recessive pied and ino males retain their translucent pink cere. Always check other pointers.
Exception: Recessive pied and ino males retain their translucent pink cere. Always check other pointers.
D: Throat spots: Baby Budgies have small, irregular throat spots. Adult Budgies have round well defined spots.
Exception: Some pied, and some color variations don't get throat spots. Always check other pointers.