Who here has a pearl cockatiel?

[krupali]

My female cockatiel who passed away a month used to have beautiful pearls. But she started losing her pearly feathers on her neck last year. Why do people say that females don't lose pearls. My cockatiel did and she was fully pearled. I miss her little speckles and long crest

 

[charlieboy]

Good question! I'm new to pearl 'tiels so I hope someone else can help. I'm so sorry to hear she passed, may she rest in peace!

 

[cassiesdad]

Goalie, our female tiel, was a beautiful pearl. She lived a long, happy life of 26 years...never lost her pearls...

 

[Feather]

I had a female pearl tiel years ago. She had a bad heart and immobility that sadly meant she wasn't with us long, but she never lost any pearls either.

 

[krupali]

I had a female pearl tiel years ago. She had a bad heart and immobility that sadly meant she wasn't with us long, but she never lost any pearls either.

I'm sorry about your loss. What kind of pearl was she?

 

[zoo mom]

I have 2 female pearl cockatiels. They both lost some of their pearls but kept the majority of them. They are confirmed females by laying eggs.

 

[SandraK]

I thought it was only the males who lost their pearls?

 

[krupali]

I have 2 female pearl cockatiels. They both lost some of their pearls but kept the majority of them. They are confirmed females by laying eggs.

Really?! What is their mutation and how old are they?

 

[SandraK]

I've a female pearl tiel who never changed any of her markings. She's now well over 2 years of age.

 

[krupali]

I thought it was only the males who lost their pearls?

Yeah most males do, however I have seen some males who retain some pearls but it's rare I think. My other bird is a pearl lutino with yellow pearls. From far she looks like a normal lutino but when you come close you can see her gorgeous pearls.

 

[zoo mom]

Grammy is a white face cinnamon pearl pied. Erica I don't know.

 

[zoo mom]

I believe Erica also is pied. She has a yellow head, grey and yellow pearled wings with a very pale yellow edge, and a grey and yellow breast.
The pearls they have lost were on the neck, back, and breast. Those pearls were much less pronounced then the ones on their wings.

 

[Feather]

I'm sorry about your loss. What kind of pearl was she?

Just a normal pearl, no other mutations.

Disclaimer: Katara was unable to open her wings and 100% could not fly, which is the only reason I ever had her outside without a cage or harness.

 

[krupali]

Just a normal pearl, no other mutations.

Disclaimer: Katara was unable to open her wings and 100% could not fly, which is the only reason I ever had her outside without a cage or harness.

She was beautiful. Reminds me of my Koyal who was a normal pearl

 

[zoo mom]

Just a normal pearl, no other mutations.

Disclaimer: Katara was unable to open her wings and 100% could not fly, which is the only reason I ever had her outside without a cage or harness.

Beautiful.

Grammy and Erica had pearls like that when they were young but lost the ones on the neck, back and breast. But those pearls were much lighter and less pronounced as the wings. I assume it is because of the pied genes.

 

[krupali]

Pearl's make cockatiels look more feminine and cute. I've never owned a male cockatiel and I dont know how their personality is compared to hens. I think he's are more cuddly and quiet. Tho, my female lutino can get loud sometimes.

 

[Monica]

My first cockatiel is a cinnamon pearl pied tiel. She'll be 18 this year.

I fostered a tiel years ago that was a pearl and if she's still alive should be 19.

Have another pearl now who's around 2-3 years old, supposedly.


Maybe what you are thinking of aren't pearl spots at all but like a tick marking? More often seen in females and doesn't always stay with them into adult-hood?

From Normal Grey

 

[krupali]

My first cockatiel is a cinnamon pearl pied tiel. She'll be 18 this year.

I fostered a tiel years ago that was a pearl and if she's still alive should be 19.

Have another pearl now who's around 2-3 years old, supposedly.


Maybe what you are thinking of aren't pearl spots at all but like a tick marking? More often seen in females and doesn't always stay with them into adult-hood?

From Normal Grey

Hmm. I think she did lose most of her tick marking on her neck area.
Here are pictures comparing what her crest used to look like vs now. The top picture was taken in 2012. Not sure her age that time maybe a year old. Ad the the bottom picture is late 2018.

 

[krupali]

Imgur: The magic of the Internet

 

[Monica]

That is quite a difference!

If @srtiels was still around, she could answer it best. Could always try contacting her through her website, too.