Seeking Baby Cockatiel Advice

[Phocyn]

Long time no see. You all helped with my chickens last year so now I am seeking advice from people who might be able to tell me what is going on.

I bought what I was told was a 3 and 1/2 month old cockatiel female from a local shop. Now, a few things were off. Missing tail feathers, the fact my female cinnamon bird seems to be a male, etc. None of that is a problem for me. What I want to inquire about if anyone here might be able to tell me....

Why is my bird developing splotches on his head and very faint bars on his tail feathers? They weren't there before. I've had him id'd via photos with breeders and even took him to my vet. DNA is super expensive via my vet so I decided not to do it.

 

[nchls school]

Pictures would be helpful.

Why is my bird developing splotches on his head Splotches? Patches of color? and very faint bars on his tail feathers? Are the bars on the under side of the tail? They weren't there before. I've had him id'd via photos with breeders and even took him to my vet. DNA is super expensive via my vet so I decided not to do it. Please post pictures-one of the whole tiel-a close-up of the head showing the splotches and another showing the bars on the tail.

Are you sure of the bird's sex?
Do you have more than one tiel?

This site may be helpful to you.
iqbirdtesting.com

In the past I have used the DNA feather test kit for sexing birds (conures) and it was always accurate but with tiels DNA testing is unnecessary.

 

[Phocyn]

Pictures would be helpful.

Why is my bird developing splotches on his head Splotches? Patches of color? and very faint bars on his tail feathers? Are the bars on the under side of the tail? They weren't there before. I've had him id'd via photos with breeders and even took him to my vet. DNA is super expensive via my vet so I decided not to do it. Please post pictures-one of the whole tiel-a close-up of the head showing the splotches and another showing the bars on the tail.

Are you sure of the bird's sex?
Do you have more than one tiel?

This site may be helpful to you.
iqbirdtesting.com

In the past I have used the DNA feather test kit for sexing birds (conures) and it was always accurate but with tiels DNA testing is unnecessary.

I'll bring him outside tomorrow and get the photos if weather is good.

 

[Phocyn]

These are the head splotches. I'll look for whole body pics. Under the tail is a debate...

 

[Phocyn]

https://photos.app.goo.gl/YPVuyVwmAK3RM45LA

These are a little old, but serve most of what he lets me get.

 

[JaeG]

The patches on his head are likely an indication that he is split to pied. Pied is the only mutation that will visually show if the bird is split to that mutation. Being split to pied would also explain the tail barring. The presence of the pied gene can slow the process of males moulting out their juvenile tail bars and they can keep them for years before losing them.

At 3 and a half months old I wouldn't expect him to have such a yellow face. But if he is moulting then that could be why you didn't see those details initially.

 

[Phocyn]

He's almost 5 months now as far as I know. He is definitely a juvenile bird compared to my white face. I also am unsure why his face is so yellow... so, its mostly noob to baby cockatiel questions I have and other areas on the web just give me the run around on it. His cheek patches do have some fading compared to when I got him. Those were very bright orange. Now they've faded some.

Like when his beak was peeling I almost freaked. My vet has been very patient and told me its normal when a bird goes from a diet lacking in nutrients to one filled with them. My birds are always vetted so I know his health is clean.

 

[nchls school]

He is split to pied as another member stated. Mated to a pied hen they would beautiful pied babies. He looks healthy. Young tiels have the barring on the underside of their tails, then when males molt they lose the barring.

 

[Phocyn]

Thank you guys. I don't think I'm getting a female cockatiel as Bright was meant to provide company for Tidus. Even though they don't really get along I have noticed Tidus doesn't tear his feathers anymore so my intention worked out. I am very grateful for the help.

 

[nchls school]

You are welcome. Give it some time as it's likely the two males will bond.