Actually, I believe the same sex theory holds water. Pip, my Ring-neck male (supposedly), I believe may actually be a female who took on male characteristics and behavior when his mate died (mate dying is PetSmart's story...). Pip's pelvic bones are wide apart, like a female, but I read that doesn't mean he's a she. How------ever, several years after adopting him, I rehabilitated a mourning dove, Nadia, who ended up staying as Pip and Nadia bonded. Certainly Pip with Nadia more, he (she) was clearly lonely and thrilled to have a companion! In the 10 years or so I had Nadia before she went to live with God, not one of the eggs she laid were fertile. The only egg that ever hatched was a Coturnix egg I gave him (her) to incubate, story here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/amateur-hour.1485019/page-2#post-25360373
Pip currently lives with Eve, a young female Ring-neck I adopted, story here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/keeping-a-pigeon-in-the-house.1507591/page-2#post-25359071. They are on their second clutch of eggs and they are all "empty." Both Pip and Eve coo and "laugh." Pip does mate with Eve and bows at her. I just call Pip a "he" but wonder...
