Pearl Cockatiel

The pearl cockatiel is a beautiful feathered pet best described by the pearl markings on their wings, back and nape. These fantastic cockatiels which have scalloped-looking feathers were the third mutation which was established. The tinge of the pearl is the outcome of a feather pattern alteration, not a color change. The first cockatiel mutation was the pied cockatiel in 1951. It was followed by the lutino cockatiel seven years later.

The other names established for the pearl cockatiel were laced cockatiel, pearled cockatiel, opaline cockatiel, pearly cockatiel, pearly tiels and pearl tiels. Pearling is the place where the feathers on the nape, wings and back are laced or edged in yellow or white. There are heavily pearled birds and lightly pearled birds.

A male pearl cockatiel does not really lose the pearling but it becomes very faint that it can only be seen on some of the heavily pearled mature males. Even then, it only appears as a shadow. On the other hand, females do not lose their marking. The pearling patterns differ from small outlines to big ones. Yellow pearl cockatiels appear like the cinnamon breeds in which the coloring is tannish brown instead of black or gray. Sometimes, they are known as Golden Pearls.

A pearl cockatiel can grow up to 12 inches or 30 centimeters. In the wild, cockatiels generally travel in flocks. This act influences their behavior in captivity. This social ‘flock’ nature with their natural habitation makes them suitable for pets. They are resilient birds and usually adapt effortlessly to any change. They can also easily breed. They can be left alone for a longer period of time and they are advantageous since they are not noisy and they are devoted and loving.

The very common activity that cockatiels do, including the pearl cockatiel, is their fondness in playing and climbing in perches. To enhance that, they need to be provided with lots of exercises and toys. Also, provide them with a lot of time outside of their cage if it is possible. A playpen can work really well. A lot of cockatiels can whistle and mimic speech, particularly the males.

There are different opinions as to how the sex of the cockatiels can be distinguished between a male and a female one. Probably, it is the pearl cockatiel which is the hardest to tell until the male loses his pearl coloring after a year or two. This coloration is not lost in female pearls.

From the first molt, the male pearl will eventually lose his markings and revert to a normal gray tint after some years. Actually, the males do not lose their markings but it becomes very pale that you can only see it among the profoundly pearled mature male cockatiels. By then, it can only appear as a shadow.