Things You'll Need
Nail clippers
DNA test card
Conures are a breed of small parrots that are native to Latin America and the West Indies. The Sun, Green-Cheeked and Jandaya Conures are some of the most popular species of conures. All conures are monomorphic — both males and females demonstrate similar features which makes it difficult to visually ascertain the sex of the birds. If you are planinng to breed your conure, you should first determine its gender. Use DNA testing to help you identify the sex of your conure.
Consult your veterinarian about conducting a DNA test on your conure. Obtain a DNA test card.
Obtain a blood sample by clipping your conure’s toenail slightly outside the area that you normally cut, to encourage a little bleeding. Dab two drops of the blood on the test card.
Provide a feather sample for DNA testing. Pluck four to six feathers from your conure’s breast area and place them in the envelope or a resealable plastic bag provided by the testing company.
Ask a professional bird groomer or your veterinarian to obtain the blood or feather samples from your conure, if you are uncomfortable with getting it yourself.
Tips
Ensure that you have blood clotting medication around you when getting blood or feather samples from your conure as a precautionary measure to prevent excessive bleeding (see References 1). Feathers plucked from the breast area will not hurt your conure as the bird’s breast is the least-sensitive area.
References
Photo Credits
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George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
