Male? Female!!?? I don't know! Sexing Pigeons

[Owlgirl7]

Hi, my sister has a pair of Tumbler Roller Pigeons. She keeps them in a small run outdoors with a nest box for them to perch in at night. We got them at a poultry show 3 months ago and they are doing quite well. Despite this, I have no idea whether they are male or female. I would like to know; do to that my sister wishes the 'pair' to raise squab. Since my sister isn't very knowledgeable about poultry and is just starting out in 4-H I'm determined to find out for her... I figured that you all could help

Here's what I do know... one of the birds is female do to the fact that infertile eggs are laid in the nest box (or they just never developed). Based on this, is there a male too? Or are they like chickens, males don't need to be present for eggs to be laid? If there is one male and one female then how do I know which is which? Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Hokum Coco]

, I have no idea whether they are male or female.

The best way to determine the sex of a pigeon is to ask another pigeon.
In a perfect world the ♂ pigeon on the right is usually more iridescent and larger than the ♀ pigeon on the left.



That being said no matter which method you choose to sex a pigeon mistakes are sometimes made. I usually can tell the gender of a pigeon just by looking at it (but I have been know to make mistakes too.)

On that note:
If you place your pigeon in the company of a know gender pigeon one can usually tell the gender of the pigeon in question by the reaction taken by the know gender.

(Too many references to gender in tha sentence but I think you can follow)

Oh if it lays an egg it is definitely female.

Check out the link the pigeon bowing and circling is ♂ the bird walking is ♀:

 

[Owlgirl7]

Hey, Thanks a lot! This information helps. Can I post a few photos of the birds and you could give me an educated guess of what they are? Also, does a male have to be present for eggs to be laid? You sound really knowledgeable about pigeons. I'm just trying to use my experience with chickens for the pigeons. There's a lot I don't know.

 

[Owlgirl7]

Now I've included pictures and more... Can anyone tell the sex of these two pigeons? I do know that at least one of them is female. That is all. Look to previous posts for more information. Thanks!


'Billy' the name my sister chose, has an iridescent neck patch. Does that indicate male?


'Trudy' is the female, sorry that this picture isn't as good. She has no obvious male stature that I can see. I know at least one has to be female.

For reference, here is also what their coop and run looks like.


THANKS! ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED!

 

[Hokum Coco]

Can anyone tell the sex of these two pigeons?
THANKS! ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED!

Looks like 2 females to me.

 

[Owlgirl7]

Really???!!! The breeder we bought them from thought for sure that they were a pair. But it seemed a little fishy that he couldn't tell which was which very well. Hmm... Thanks for your info.

 

[Hokum Coco]

Really???!!! The breeder we bought them from thought for sure that they were a pair.

I would think all pigeons fanciers would admit to making errors when it comes to sexing pigeons.