cockatiel feather question

[lisascannell]

My 4 month old pearl cockatiel has onew pin feathers coming through on his back. Is that part of molting? Also the new feathers are pearl feathers does that mean it is a female?

 

[MikeyTN]

At 4 months old not so much as they start around 5-6 months so it should start soon. If it molt out pearl still then your baby is a girl. Have your baby been singing at all? My young boys are singing away right now at 3 months old. I just realized you posted this back in December. Have the molt started yet???

 

[lisascannell]

Hi Mikey! I think Rocky is just going on 5 months now...he is still pearl! But he's not molting currently. He doesn't sing but he screams loud for attention and when he's in the bathroom he sometimes mumbles like he's trying to do whistles, but he probably should have started whistling by now if male right?

 

[MikeyTN]

Yes he should have been whistling starting around 3 months of age. But girls can whistle too but not as good and it doesn't last. I have one that used to whistle a bit but no longer does it once in a aviary setting with other birds.

 

[DallyTsuka]

sounds like you have a girl. my dally started her first molt at 3 months old. if the feathers are coming in pearled, she is a girl

 

[lisascannell]

 

[lisascannell]

The good thing about Rocky possibly being a girl is that he will keep his beautiful pearls!! It will be hard to turn my mind to Rocky being a girl though as to me he is a little boy! He should be starting his molt soon so we will see I guess... Thanks everyone!

 

[MonicaMc]

Based on your video of Drummer and Rocky, as well as this thread, I'm going to say that Rocky is probably a hen!