| ORIGINAL BOOK REVIEW by Dr. Rainer R. Erhardt "Well, there is help on the horizon and anyone seriously interested in color genetics should take a look at Linda Rubin's book: COCKATIEL GENETICS MADE EASY! Though this book is primarily directed to breeders of cockatiel mutations, there is enough information in this volume to teach anyone the secrets of dealing with recessive, sex-linked, and dominant mutations..." ACBM, Vol. 65, No.12 CLICK TO READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW! 112 pages, 15 chapters, glossary & more! |
Copyright 2006 Linda S. Rubin
| Multiple Bird Households by Linda S. Rubin |
| Series by Linda S. Rubin |
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| Gender Identification of Pieds Copyright © 2003 by LINDA S. RUBIN CF Genetics Consultant/Panel Judge www.CockatielsPlusParrots.com Selected Q&A's "From My Mailbox" Q. I have a pied cockatiel whose gender is unknown. I have heard that the male's colors are brighter than the females, and that males whistle and talk more. But, I find it difficult to tell the difference. A. You did not mention the age of your Pied cockatiel or how long you have had it, but here is a list that might help: 1. Does the bird have any dark flight or tail feathers in its plumage? 2. In lighter marked Pieds that still retain one or more dark feathers, the dark feathers can be examined for any yellow tail-barrings on the underside of the tail and yellow spottings under flight feathers. 3. All females, and immature young, carry yellow tail barring and round, spots on the underside of their flights. However, once young birds begin their juvenile, young adult, and complete adult molts (4-6 months, 1 year, and 2 years, respectively), these markings are eventually lost as these feathers turn a dark, solid color. 4. You may have been told that males are brighter in color, because in many varieties, the male’s yellow face and crest color are a deep yellow, and their orange cheek patches appear more vivid. However, a lessening of color intensity in carotenoid (yellow and orange) pigment in females usually applies to the Normal and standard varieties and does not necessarily affect Pieds in the same manner. Therefore, both genders of Pieds can be brightly colored, depending upon their background bloodlines. For example, some aviculturists selectively breed for very yellow birds in both genders. 5. Finally, if identification cannot be made visually, you may be able to identify gender by the bird’s behavior. Males as young as four to six months of age will start to whistle, warble, hop, bow, and strut about, opening their shoulders at the wing joint and serenade living and inanimate objects! Hens tend to be quieter with a two-syllable call, (e.g., "eek-eek") and demonstrate less adventurous behaviors, until nesting urges begin (see Egg-laying Behaviors, Part 1). |
| GENDER IDENTIFICATION OF PIEDS Copyright © 2003 Linda S. Rubin All Rights Reserved |
