What do you see when a cockatiel is preening?
You’ll find white powder inside of the cage and on objects near the cage. Watch you bird shake out his/her feathers after preening and you may see a small cloud of dust. If you pet your bird with your chin or cheek, you may even get a light coating of white powder on your skin.
When does a cockatiel become a male or female?
Male and female cockatiels look identical when young. After approximately six to nine months, the bird will molt for the first time and grow a new coat of plumage, typically more colorful and with more variation between the sexes.
Where are the blood feathers on a cockatiel?
Large blood feathers are found in the wings and tail. As blood within a feather shaft recedes, the keratin coating flakes off to expose the new feather. Pin feathers and blood feathers are very uncomfortable for your bird and they can cause pain if moved the wrong way.
Why does a cockatiel puff out its feathers?
During courtship rituals, feathers are displayed and used to impress and attract a mate. When there are threats of aggression, feathers are displayed as a defense mechanism. A small bird can puff out feathers and look much larger to predator.
You’ll find white powder inside of the cage and on objects near the cage. Watch you bird shake out his/her feathers after preening and you may see a small cloud of dust. If you pet your bird with your chin or cheek, you may even get a light coating of white powder on your skin.
Male and female cockatiels look identical when young. After approximately six to nine months, the bird will molt for the first time and grow a new coat of plumage, typically more colorful and with more variation between the sexes.
What does a pearl cockatiel look like after a molt?
In pearl cockatiel mutation, female retains their pearling after their first molt. The female cockatiel of normal grey cockatiel mutation has light-colored orange dots.
Why does my cockatiel puff up all the time?
Normally, your cockatiel should be active during daylight hours. This includes eating, exercising, playing with toys and preening. They should also be fairly talkative. So, excessive sleeping and puffing up can be a bad sign. Often, there are other signs of illness that you can spot with your cockatiel.
