Sam was at least 25 when I had her put down. We don't know how old she was when we got her. I was under the impression that 20 to 23 yeas was 'normal'. Anyone know for sure?
Cockatiel owners, talk to me!UPDATE! We got him!
- Thread starter taraann81
- Start date
Very difficult to sex a Lutino. I've been told mine is a male...and a female. I just keep calling him "him". "He" doesn't talk, but has never laid an egg, either...
Quote:
If the bird sings clear crisp sounds, it supposed to be male............ scratchy,raspy sound is female.
If the bird sings clear crisp sounds, it supposed to be male............ scratchy,raspy sound is female.
Cockatiels are great quiet(could be relative I guess) sweet pets. I raise hand fed babies and if you can find one straight off hand feeding they are so cuddly and little love bugs. If they haven't been handled for a whole month and half after weaning they will probably be friendly but how friendly and cuddly will depend on the bird. They may not be as sweet and willing to be your buddy right off. If they are flighty(running from you instead of towards) or nippy at all I would think twice, it will be a lot harder to get them to calm down.
You cannot visually sex Lutinos.
I also have Sun Conures which you mentioned. They are a lot more personality packed in a little bird and they are hilarious, very outgoing, more "in your face" I guess. That said they are LOUD! Compared to bigger parrots I guess they aren't bad but compared to cockatiels be ready for some screamin! hahahahaha I dont really mind it, most of the time.
You cannot visually sex Lutinos.
I also have Sun Conures which you mentioned. They are a lot more personality packed in a little bird and they are hilarious, very outgoing, more "in your face" I guess. That said they are LOUD! Compared to bigger parrots I guess they aren't bad but compared to cockatiels be ready for some screamin! hahahahaha I dont really mind it, most of the time.
Lutinos are harder to sex but the article below will give you a few pointers. Males are USUALLY more out going. Females tend to be a little bit on the demure, sweet side. The reason I think he's a male is the fact that he came up to you on the side of the cage...I raised them and hand fed males can be show offs. Let us know what you decide...they can be awesome little pets.
Read Below:
Most 'tiels can be visually sexed by 9 months of age, after their first molt (feather shed). Some mutations can be a little more difficult.
ALL adult females have horizontal barring (stripes) on the underside of their tail feathers, including whiteface-lutinos (white/albino). These can be seen when you are in front of your bird, with bright sunlight/light directly behind the bird.
I have noted that the barring is not color, but the structure of the feather itself. Each stripe is actually a transluscent (see-through) gap, without the little feather "hairs". For example: a lutino (yellow), or whiteface-lutino (white) hen against a blue background, will appear to have thin blue stripes on the tail feathers. Banding on dark hens is more obvious against a white or light colored background.
Males have a solid structure along both sides of the quill.
In all mutations, except whiteface-lutino, females have a single white pea-sized dot on their primary wing feathers. Males do not.
On standard greys, the males have a mostly yellow crest. Females have yellow at the tip. Females have grey mixed in with the color on cheek patches, creating a muted or gray appearance, while males are bright. On whiteface grey birds, females will have little, if any, white on the cheeks.
Male and female pieds, and lutino's (yellow), have the same basic colorations, but females still have tail barring, and the dot on the primary feathers.
Pearl (fish scale pattern) males will lose most, if not all of their pearling as they age.
Here's a great link for visually sexing cockatiels:
http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/genet
The only 100% accurate method of sexing a young bird (before the first molt), is by DNA testing. If you really need to know, you can have your bird tested yourself with a tiny sample of blood (toenail), a few feathers pulled from the chest area, or it's egg shell.
DNA sexing alone costs less than $25. Samples can also be tested for disease and parasites.
http://www.avianbiotech.com/
Never use pelvic sexing. It is not only inaccurate and outdated - it's also potentially dangerous. And it doesn't mean anything on young birds. The recognizable gap in the bone doesn't occur until females have begun laying eggs.
As for behavior, males tend to be vocal, affectionate and bold. Females tend to be rather quiet and shy. However, there are always exceptions.
Here are some of my favorite websites for cockatiels, and other parrots:
http://www.cockatiel.org/
http://www.cockatiels.org/
http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/
http://www.birdsnways.com/
http://www.birdchannel.com/
Read Below:
Most 'tiels can be visually sexed by 9 months of age, after their first molt (feather shed). Some mutations can be a little more difficult.
ALL adult females have horizontal barring (stripes) on the underside of their tail feathers, including whiteface-lutinos (white/albino). These can be seen when you are in front of your bird, with bright sunlight/light directly behind the bird.
I have noted that the barring is not color, but the structure of the feather itself. Each stripe is actually a transluscent (see-through) gap, without the little feather "hairs". For example: a lutino (yellow), or whiteface-lutino (white) hen against a blue background, will appear to have thin blue stripes on the tail feathers. Banding on dark hens is more obvious against a white or light colored background.
Males have a solid structure along both sides of the quill.
In all mutations, except whiteface-lutino, females have a single white pea-sized dot on their primary wing feathers. Males do not.
On standard greys, the males have a mostly yellow crest. Females have yellow at the tip. Females have grey mixed in with the color on cheek patches, creating a muted or gray appearance, while males are bright. On whiteface grey birds, females will have little, if any, white on the cheeks.
Male and female pieds, and lutino's (yellow), have the same basic colorations, but females still have tail barring, and the dot on the primary feathers.
Pearl (fish scale pattern) males will lose most, if not all of their pearling as they age.
Here's a great link for visually sexing cockatiels:
http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/genet
The only 100% accurate method of sexing a young bird (before the first molt), is by DNA testing. If you really need to know, you can have your bird tested yourself with a tiny sample of blood (toenail), a few feathers pulled from the chest area, or it's egg shell.
DNA sexing alone costs less than $25. Samples can also be tested for disease and parasites.
http://www.avianbiotech.com/
Never use pelvic sexing. It is not only inaccurate and outdated - it's also potentially dangerous. And it doesn't mean anything on young birds. The recognizable gap in the bone doesn't occur until females have begun laying eggs.
As for behavior, males tend to be vocal, affectionate and bold. Females tend to be rather quiet and shy. However, there are always exceptions.
Here are some of my favorite websites for cockatiels, and other parrots:
http://www.cockatiel.org/
http://www.cockatiels.org/
http://www.tailfeathersnetwork.com/
http://www.birdsnways.com/
http://www.birdchannel.com/
- Thread starter
- #16
Well we actually went to get "him" last night. All of the research I have read is dont' handle him for 3 days to a week to give him time to settle in. But he wants to come out. If you go any where near his cage he gets as c lose as he can to you. I opened the cage door and sat in front of it. He seemed nervous. When I speak softly to him he comes over and starts umm..."feeling" my face and hair. He puts his beak on it and uses his tongue. I assume this is his way of feeling since he lacks hands. He wants to be near your face but is nervous of your hands.
If I gently get him on my hand he will crawl up to my shoulder and preen my hair. I assume these are all great signs that he will be easily tamed. Right??
Also names...I can't think of a fitting name for him...I was thinking something funny like hawk, or something masculine like Jasper.
If I gently get him on my hand he will crawl up to my shoulder and preen my hair. I assume these are all great signs that he will be easily tamed. Right??
Also names...I can't think of a fitting name for him...I was thinking something funny like hawk, or something masculine like Jasper.
I would be letting him snuggle all he wants. I would not let him be lonely for three days. If he were a wild, crazy maniac - maybe. But it sounds like he needs to cuddle. How exciting for you...will you post pictures?
He'll get over the "fear of hands" he may have developed that at the pet store...you never know. Yes, they use their beaks as hands and tongues sort of like fingers. Your instincts are correct...you'll be fine with this little guy/gal.
They love to preen hair...mine used to preen my brows and eyelashes too - if given the chance. Are his wings clipped?
If not be careful that he doesn't get startled and fly into a mirror or window and get hurt. Chances are coming from a pet store they are currently clipped. Cockatiels are stong fliers for their size. I would never take him outside unless he was secured in a cage...really secured. Good Luck naming him. Keep us posted. Love to see pictures!
He'll get over the "fear of hands" he may have developed that at the pet store...you never know. Yes, they use their beaks as hands and tongues sort of like fingers. Your instincts are correct...you'll be fine with this little guy/gal.
They love to preen hair...mine used to preen my brows and eyelashes too - if given the chance. Are his wings clipped?
If not be careful that he doesn't get startled and fly into a mirror or window and get hurt. Chances are coming from a pet store they are currently clipped. Cockatiels are stong fliers for their size. I would never take him outside unless he was secured in a cage...really secured. Good Luck naming him. Keep us posted. Love to see pictures!
if he wants on you then let him on you! Jasper is a perfect name for him! I am enamored with Jasper from Twilight lol
Here is a picture of our Lutino Tiel boy, I call him banjo, the kids call him shaggy lol
Here is a picture of our Lutino Tiel boy, I call him banjo, the kids call him shaggy lol
- Thread starter
- #19
Quote:
He is a talker and I mean talker, he never stops! He does tons of different whistle, and is now trying to get jingle bells down lol
He is a talker and I mean talker, he never stops! He does tons of different whistle, and is now trying to get jingle bells down lol
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