A reason other than reference to know the birds' sexes is to understand behavior patterns.

Having learned that Charlie is a boy, I researched enough to find out that young males spar with each other for the highest perch available as a means of establishing dominance. He insisted on leaving his separate play area and keeping the top branch of the Parrot Tower all week.

That sat none too well with the Queen of Oak Street.

Tonight he stepped on down to the tray and has been wandering down there. Lucy tolerated that fine after a pull or two on his tail.

He has just tried the playtree. It's too much of challenge for him right now. But he's game.

UPDATE: Let's put that differently. The boy has game.

We also won't be "killing two birds with one stone" in this household.