Help identifying zebbies

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Thefinchfamily1526
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Joined: 29 May 2023, 12:23
Location: Iceland

So, I just purchased 4 young birds earlier today.
When I picked out this male (?) It was because he had the rather unique lack of any male markings except for a faint chest bar and the red beak.

I was pretty confident in my belief that it was in fact a male, now I'm not so sure. No singing at all from him/her, even when the other male sings.
Now I know it could simply be from the stress of a new environment, but it makes me wonder, is there a mutation that could possibly cause a red beak on a female? After going through pictures of the other birds from their clutch, I did notice a very much female looking bird who also has a red beak.

TIA!

The bird in question:
20230625_142547.jpg
The other bird I mentioned:
20230624_101949.jpg
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finchbreeder
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Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
Location: Midwest of West.Aust.Coast

I am definately not an expert on the light coloured birds. But no cheek patches and no chestnut under the wings would indicate 2 hens to me. May be wrong but.
LML
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Thefinchfamily1526
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finchbreeder wrote: 26 Jun 2023, 14:19 I am definately not an expert on the light coloured birds. But no cheek patches and no chestnut under the wings would indicate 2 hens to me. May be wrong but.
That's what I'm thinking too, but isn't testosterone largely responsible for the red on the beak?
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Craig52
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Location: victoria

I tend to agree fb
She does have an extraordinary red bill for a hen though. Maybe being young and not a breeding hen is why as I know breeding hens bills tend to go orange.
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finchbreeder
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Location: Midwest of West. Aust. Coast
Location: Midwest of West.Aust.Coast

She is very red. But - I have found with many things finch.
The brightest hens and the dullest cocks - are frequently the same colour.
It is possible that it may mean she is gay - birds do do that too.
Just ask a very frustrated Budgie breeder mum of mine.
LML
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Alf63
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Joined: 31 Oct 2011, 13:20
Location: victoria

Tend to agree with 2 hens. The beak is very red but I have a number of hens with chest makings more prominent than the bird above.
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