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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

345.0. "Pearl Cockatiel Question" by RHETT::RROGERS () Thu Apr 19 1990 17:17

Hi,
   I currently don't own any birds, but I'm thinking about getting a cockatiel.
I read in this month's Bird Talk that male pearl cockatiels lose their
pearl look during their first moult.  After the moult they look like a regular 
ol' grey cockatiel.  

   Is this true of all male pearls or just certain splits?  Does this mean
that if I buy a young pearl bird, I have a 50% chance that it will change
coloration?  Not that I have anything against normal greys, I'd just hate to 
spend $40 extra and end up without my moneys worth!

I know that females have barring on the tail and spots on the wings, but 
these markings don't show up until after the firt moult, right?

Thanks for any advice,

Roseanne 
VMS Workstations Software
Atlanta Customer Support Center
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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345.1ONLY GIRLS ARE PEARLSFDCV07::BOURGAULTFri Apr 27 1990 14:4212
    According to what I heard, this is the unfortunate truth for male
    pearls.  I would suggest however, that if you are interested in
    obtaining a young pearl and want to insure that it is a female who will
    retain her beautiful pearl plumage, purchase from a breeder.  Breeders
    of cockatiels pretty much can tell males from females at a very early
    age.  In fact, even I was able to distinguish my male from female
    babies by the time they were 2 months old - and I was 100% right!
    Find a local cockatiel breeder and visit them. This way you will get
    what you want and not take a chance.
    
    Good luck!
    Denise
345.2Thanks.RHETT::RROGERSTue May 01 1990 11:225
Thanks Denise!


Roseanne
345.3FYI - PEARL COCKATIELS FOR SALEFDCV07::BOURGAULTMon May 14 1990 15:3114
    Just thought I'd let you know that I was at my local pet store
    (Seaworld in Salem N.H.) and they had a few beautiful pearls and
    cinnamon pearl adult cockatiels (untamed) for $49.99 on sale this
    week.  They were handsome birds in good feather.  Since they were
    adult birds, I would assume they are females.  Since Cockatiels
    are easier than many birds to tame it may be worth looking into
    if you are set on getting a pearl.
    
    Just thought I'd let you know.
    
    Denise
    
    
    
345.4RHETT::RROGERSTue May 15 1990 13:3919
Thanks for keeping an eye out for me.   Unfortunately it seems I'm one of the
few PET_BIRDS noters who does not live in Mass or New H.  I'm at the Atlanta
Customer Support Center.  Even though there are a several hundred people here,
I know of only one other noter from here (hi, Laurie!).  

That IS a great price for cockatiels, especially pearls.  

Right now I'm saving up to buy a large cage I have picked out at a local
pet supply store.  There will be a bird show in Atlanta in early June.  I
went last year and there were some great deals, so I may finally end all 
this planning then!  At the same show last year I saw some plum-head 
parrakeets and fell in love.  I have not seen one since (although a fellow
noter found some in a MA pet shop).  They seem like the perfect bird for 
me except they are *so* expensive... so I'm keeping an open mind and 
hoping I can find a good bird at the show.  I'll keep you all posted.

Roseanne