Pearled Cockatiel
The spectacular Pearled Cockatiel with its scalloped-looking feathers, was the third cockatiel mutation to be established. The coloration of the pearl is a result of a feather pattern change rather than a color change. The first cockatiel mutation was the Pied Cockatiel established prior to 1951. This was followed by the very popular Lutino Cockatiel in 1958. Then the Pearled Cockatiel appeared in Germany in 1967 or 1968. These very pretty birds are commonly known as Pearled Cockatiels, Laced Cockatiels, Opaline Cockatiels, Pearl Cockatiels, Pearly Cockatiels, and even just Pearl Tiels or Pearly Tiels.
Pearling is where the feathers on the back, nape, and wings are edged or laced in white or yellow. There are both lightly pearled birds and heavily pearled birds. Starting with the first molt, a male pearl will loose his markings and return to a normal gray coloration over a period of years. Males don't actually loose the pearling but it becomes so faint that it can only be seen on some of the heavily pearled mature males, and even then it only looks like a shadow. The female will not loose her markings.
Cockatiels are probably the most popular of the parrot family with their main competition being the Budgerigar (referred to as the Parakeet in the United States). They are hardy, easily handle changes in their home, and are easy to breed. On top of that, keeping a cockatiel as a pet is easy because they are not noisy parrots and they are comfortable when left alone for long periods of time.
Cockatiels are considered parrots as can be seen by the shape of their beak. They are members of the Cockatoo family which is apparent by their cute little erectile crests. Unlike cockatoos however, they have long tails making up about half of their total length, and giving them more of a parakeet type appearance.
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