Sexing Your Indian Ringneck

Indian Ringnecks are sexually dimorphic, which means they can be sexed visually.  These parrots reach sexual maturity around 3 years of age and females can reach sexual maturity around 2 years of age.  It is important to understand that sexing these birds before 3 years can be difficult.  I have provided information, along with photos to help you better figure out the sex of your bird.

If you wish to find out if your parrot is a boy or girl before 3 years, the only alternative way is through DNA sexing.  This is very affordable and many companies will send a free kit out to anyone who is interested.  All you have to do is collect some feathers and send the kit back.  Within a few weeks or days you will be called, e-mailed, or faxed the results.  Most parrot DNA sexing agencies will send you a certificate to confirm the results.  DNA is 99.9 percent accurate if the samples were not accidentally contaminated.

Male Indian Ringenecks

Obviously, this parrot was given the name Rose-ringned Parakeet and Indian Ringneck due the males ring around the neck.  This ring can start to appear around 17 months and can take as long as two molts to come in dark, bright, and thick.  If you wish to sex your parrot before 17 months, and before the ring has come in, you can do so by the behavior of your parrot.  A male ringneck will open his wings slightly in the shape of a heart and bow.  His eyes will pin (the pupil gets small) as he does this little display.  Try placing your ringneck in front of a mirror and see if it displays. 

Also, a male Indinan Ringneck’s stature is usually not as thick as the female ringneck. His head is also squarer and more vibrant colors around his cheeks and tail can be seen. .  This technique can work for all ringneck mutations except lutino and albino Indian Ringnecks.

Female Indian Ringnecks

Female Indian Ringnecks do not get a ring; however, a slight green ring can be seen around the female’s neck.  Female ringnecks are much stockier and have thicker feet.  Their face is more rounded and their beak is not as prominent.  It takes a trained eye to sex ringnecks visually, even so, this is still not 100 percent accurate.

Female ringnecks do not display like male ringnecks.  Instead, they usually display by clucking and tilting their head back.  Like the male rignecks, their eyes will pin too.