Birds are a class of vertebrates with feathers, wings, and beaks that reproduce through oviparous. The sex determination of birds is determined by the combination of chromosomes, and in general, the chromosome combination of male birds is ZZ while the chromosome combination of female birds is ZW. However, newborn chicks often have difficulty distinguishing male and female by their appearance, as there are no significant differences in their plumage, size, and behavior. So, how do we distinguish the sex of a newborn bird?
One way to do this is to determine the sex of a baby bird through genetic testing, which involves extracting DNA from the bird's blood or feathers and then analyzing its chromosome combinations using molecular biology methods. Although this method is accurate, it requires specialized equipment and technology, and it can cause some damage to the bird.
Another way is to determine the sex of a bird by looking at its ***, which requires gentle pressure on the bird's abdomen to expose it. The *** of male small birds is usually round or cone-shaped, while the *** of female small birds is usually open or cleft. Although this method is simple, it requires a certain amount of experience and skill, and it can cause some stress for the bird.
Another way is to guess the sex of a small bird by looking at its feathers, which needs to be judged based on the characteristics of different species of birds. In general, male birds have brighter feathers, while female birds have duller feathers. However, this method is not suitable for all birds, as some birds have no noticeable difference between male and female plumage, or can only manifest themselves in adulthood. Of course, many small birds have few or no feathers when they first emerge, and this method may be more suitable for adult birds.
To sum up, there is no unified answer to how to distinguish male and female from newborn birds, and it needs to be judged according to different situations and methods. When we distinguish the sex of a bird, we should try to avoid causing unnecessary harm and disturbance to the bird, while also respecting the bird's nature and privacy.