Types of Cockatiels

Cockatiels are members of the parrot family and very popular pets in households around the world. Measuring about 12 inches, they have been bred to display different colors not normally found in the wild. The cockatiel is native to Australia, where the bird is commonly referred to as a quarrion. Healthy cockatiels are known to live upwards of 25 years with proper care. With a lot of patience, cockatiels can be taught to talk, and even whistle your favorite songs. There are several types of cockatiels.

  1. Cinnamon

    • Cinnamon cockatiels got their name due to a mutation that makes their gray feathers look brown -- like cinnamon. Color intensity is different from bird to bird. It can be as light as a gentle cream color or as brown as chocolate.

    Lutino

    • Both male and female lutino cockatiels have bright orange markings on their cheeks. Their bodies may be bright yellow or solid white. Once the lutino matures, it usually displays maroon eyes, although some birds end up with bright red eyes.

    Pied

    • The pied cockatiel is one of the first cockatiel mutations discovered. The bird is known for its symmetrical markings of usually 70 percent white or yellow to 30 percent gray. Some birds may display white, yellow and gray markings.

    Whiteface

    • The whiteface cockatiel was first discovered in 1964. The face of this bird is white, hence its name. However, the feathers on the bird's body are charcoal gray. The whiteface usually does not have any of the yellow coloring so prominent in many other varieties of cockatiels.

    Pearl

    • Pearl cockatiel females have heavy pearl markings on their backs, wings and chests. Males are harder to spot once they have matured, because they usually lose their pearl markings. Any colors on the pearl cockatiel are usually due to the way their feathers lie, not their actual color.

    Gray

    • The gray cockatiel is the most common type in the wild and domestically. It is the only cockatiel that displays the natural colors of the bird, with very slight color variations, if any.