Sexing of Lovebirds Falls Into Three Categories

The first group are different in their outward appearance and can be classified as dimorphic. This first group consists of the Abyssinian Lovebird (Agapornis toranta), the Madagascar Lovebird (Agapornis cana), and the Red-faced Lovebird (Agapornis pullaria).

The second or intermediate group are harder to differentiate by appearance. This second group consists of the Peach-faced Lovebird (Agapornis reseicollis) and the Black-collared Lovebird (Agapornis swinderniana).

 In the third group, the white eye-ring group, there are no definite differences that can be seen. In the white eye-ring group are the Nyasa Lovebird (Agapornis personata lilianae), the Black-cheeked Lovebird (Agapornis personata nigrigenis), the Fischer's Lovebird (Agapornis personata fisheri), and the Masked Lovebird (Agapornis personata personata).

The sexing of the white eye-ring group must be determined by either a surgical probe, endoscopy, which can be done by many veterinarians or by a DNA testing, usually a blood sample or a few plucked feathers sent to be diagnosed in a lab.

Some visual characteristics that may aid in determining sex are that the female is heavier bodied than the male and will sit more broadly with legs apart, while the males sit more upright.

A females tail will appear more square while a males will appear more rounded. When observing the nesting behavior, the female will do most of the nest building work.

An anal inspection can be done but takes experience in sexing these birds to make a fair determination. Basically there are two bones called the ossa pubes on the ventral side of the pelvis and the female will be spread wider apart than the male.