Are you thinking of adopting a nymph or carolina cockatoo in your home? If so, you're probably wondering whether to host a male or female nymph, that is, which is betterdepending on your lifestyle and the differences between males and females.
If you are interested in knowing the differences between male and female nymphs, we invite you to read this article on our site in which we not only help you make this difficult decision, but also explain what they are the care that this beautiful bird needs and its behavior. Of course, before doing so we encourage you to reflect on the ownership of these animals and the type of life that you are going to offer them, since it is not appropriate for them to remain locked up in a cage 24 hours a day.
Care of the nymphs
Before welcoming a nymph into your family, it is important that you document the necessary care of this bird well, since covering all its needs is your responsibility as the owner to guarantee the correct well-being of your animal. Let's see, then, what care this species needs:
- Food and water: offering your Carolina the best food will be key for her to be strong, he althy and happy. Generally, it is recommended to buy food in specific pellets for this species and complement them with the intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as occasionally some nuts. Obviously, water is also essential, so your nymph must always have access to clean and fresh water.
- Quiet and safe environment: these birds need to have their nest and/or cage in a quiet place or without noise that could disturb them, with all your needs at your fingertips (food, water, entertainment…) and with the possibility of sheltering from rain, wind, heat (you must have access to shade), etc.
- Physical exercise: your nymph must have freedom outside the cagewith the intention of doing physical exercise, because these animals need to fly , as well as climb with the help of their legs and beak.
- Social interaction: As we have mentioned, this species, like many other birds, is very sociable. It therefore requires a great deal of attention, either from its human companion or from another nymph companion.
- Environmental enrichment: Carolines need daily to entertain themselves with different elements, such as toys, to promote cognitive activity, combat boredom and avoid Consequently, they develop behavior problems and even stereotypies.
For more details, consult this other article: "How to take care of a nymph or carolina cockatoo?" or don't miss this video.
Nymph behavior
Nymphs are not only beautiful and elegant birds, but they are also characterized by having a most sociable and affectionate character and for being very intelligent It is not surprising that they have won the hearts of many of the guardians who live with one as a pet, because Carolinas form bonds of attachment very strong with the people who have cared for them since they were little.
Furthermore, nymphs also express a wide range of emotions, from joy to anger, through their body language (largely part, thanks to its expressive crest) and varied vocalizations, since they can shout, whistle, growl… In fact, it is known that these birds can even learn to imitate human speech.
On a day-to-day basis, these birds perform all kinds of behaviors to satisfy their needs, for example, they keep their hygiene up to date by preening their feathers or those of their friends if they live in the company of other nymphs. Likewise, they also perform behaviors such as playing with the toys you provide them, satisfying their curiosity and calling your attention to play with them, throwing or hitting objects. Now, do male and female nymphs behave the same? Which is better, male or female nymph? Let's see it next.
Which is better male or female nymph?
Now that you know a little more about nymphs, you probably want to know what the main differences are between females and males.
First of all, although it is not a general rule, the truth is that males usually have colorations more showy than the females, because, in part, it is thanks to their beautiful plumage that they conquer them. For this reason, males tend to sport brighter shades of yellow, while females tend to sport paler or gray shades.
Next, and related to the previous point, males tend to emit more often melodious songs and to perfect them, because it is also thanks to their songs that attract the attention of the females, in addition to performing courtship dances if they find a partner in ideal breeding conditions. This also means that males have an easier time learning to say words, as they make sounds more frequently. Females, on the other hand, are usually more silent and calm
Now we know the main differences between male and female nymphs, which is better? The truth is that everything will depend on your lifestyle and the type of partner you are looking for. Females tend to be calmer, so if you don't have that much time it may be a better option. On the other hand, if you want to spend many hours playing with your nymph and teaching her new words, a male may be more suited to these needs. However, this does not mean that females cannot learn, since they can, simply that, by nature, males internalize these learnings more quickly.
How do you know if a Papilleran nymph is male or female?
It is difficultto know the sex of such a small nymph because both her plumage and her character have not yet formed. In addition, we must bear in mind that these are not decisive, as there are females that sing frequently, for example. The safest and most effective method to differentiate them is through DNA sexing, in which a few feathers must be taken to a sexing laboratory where they will be analyzed, or do a blood test.
There is a second method with which we could know if the nymph is male or female, and this is through color inheritance, but for this we would need to know the color of the parents and if they present colorations linked to sex. In other words, it would be necessary to know if the parents had a sex-linked color mutation, which are cinnamon, lutina and pearl colorations. Therefore, knowing what the parents are like, the sex of the offspring can be predicted. For example, if a male has one of these colorations and mates with a female with a different mutation, we know that all the males will be born the same color as the father and the female chicks will be different.
Because of all the above, to find out the sex of a Carolina Papillera nymph, it is best to see a professional.
