Midget/dwarf cockatiel *pic*

[lisascannell]

So I got a picture of all five of my cockatiels in the one place at the one time My Indian Ringneck is in the pic too. Check out my dwarf cockatiel, Lucy. She's the grey female next to the lutino. She weighs between 66-69 grams. Have you ever seen a smaller cockatiel?
P.S she is healthy and eats well/is happy I just can't explain her smallness as a lot of cockatiels are around the 100g mark.

 

[lisascannell]

 

[lisascannell]

I'd also be interested if anyone else has had experience with a midget

 

[TessieB]

Wow, she is tiny!

 

[Mekaisto]

.
How interesting! I assume it's genetic dwarfism, or else her siblings would be undersized as well.

I can't say I've ever seen a dwarf bird, let alone had one, but she seems to be happy
.

 

[lisascannell]

.
How interesting! I assume it's genetic dwarfism, or else her siblings would be undersized as well.

I can't say I've ever seen a dwarf bird, let alone had one, but she seems to be happy
.[/QUOTE
Yes unfortunately I don't know much about her family tree as age was found on someone's door step about 4 months ago and I adopted the little one! Don't even know how old she is - I'm guessing she is quite old

 

[strudel]

What a little cutie.

 

[WesselG]

I'm not an expert on cockatiels but it might be that she has some kind of deficiency that causes it.

 

[Terry57]

She is so adorable! I wonder if her growth was stunted by her diet where ever she started from before being loose.

 

[MomtoPercy]

Oh my goodness! She looks like a toy birdie! So cuuuute!

 

[aether-drifter]

WOW, that is a tiny tiel! I think I've seen bigger budgies!! How cute.

 

[lisascannell]

I searched high and low to find her owners. They obviously didn't want her back too badly of it were my bird I'd search to the end of the world. So she's MY little princess now

 

[Terry57]

And she is very lucky to have you!!

 

[lisascannell]

Awww thanks Terry!

 

[Mike17]

She certainly is small, Lisa, especially when seen against the "normal" birds. There is some variation in size, of course, we have two hen lutinos from same parents, different clutches, which are noticeably different in size. I've not seen a 'tiel that small before though

 

[lisascannell]

I wonder if she could qualify for the Guiness Book of Records? He he

 

[Kiwibird]

O wow! Isn't she a special little gift of a bird! She looks healthy enough. I would just keep on caring for her as you do your other teils'.

 

[strudel]

Can they interbreed? Maybe she's a hybrid?

 

[lisascannell]

Can they interbreed? Maybe she's a hybrid?

As far as I know, and correct me if I am wrong, there has only been one incidence in history of a hybrid cockatiel and that was breeding with a galah. I don't even know how true it is but you can google galah x cockatiel, and the baby hybrid is so interesting!
I must post a video at some stage of my dwarf bird as she is the most affectionate, cuddly little creature. Just melts your heart.

 

[strudel]

Maybe mummy cockatiel had a budgie husband.....