Lutino Cockatiel

The lutino cockatiel, with its Australian origin, is an interesting mutation of the cockatiel family and is not available in the wild since it is only bred in aviculture. Females are not as vocal as their male counterparts and they have pelvic bones wider than the males.

Lutino Cockatiel

Scientific Classification
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Psittaciformes
Superfamily	Cacatuoidea
Family	Cacatuidae
Subfamily	Nymphicinae
Genus	Nymphicus
Scientific Name	Nymphicus hollandicus

Lutino Cockatiel Images

Quick Information
Other Names	Lutino Tiel, Moonbeam
Size	12-13 inches (30-33 cm)
Weight	85-125 gm( 3-4.4 oz)
Color	White body, orange patched cheek, yellow crest (a rare bald patch behind the crest) and head, baby lutino cockatiels flaunt red eyes which transform into dark while aging
Distribution	Australia
Sounds and Calls	Whistle and chirping, males produce sweet mating song
Clutch	4-5 eggs
Fledge	After 35 days
Incubation Period	17-22 days
First Molt	6 months
Lifespan	15-25years
Diet	Vegetables, fruits, and sprouts

Color mutations

Lutino pearl cockatiel
Lutino pied cockatiel
Cinnamon lacewing lutino cockatiel
White or albino faced lutino cockatiel
Lutino pearly pied cockatiel

As pets

This beautiful bird with some adorable characteristics and a low voice makes a good pet.

Lutino Cockatiel as Pets

Housing

Place a spacious metal cage of 24X18X18 inches with horizontal side bars and a large exit for your pet as it is favorable for its uninterrupted wings extension and flight. Bird perches of different diameters with ceramic food and water bowls dangling from both sides should also be put together inside the cage. You may also add some chewable toys and swings.

Nest box of 12x12x12 inches with a top hole sizing 3 inches can be placed at the upper side of the cage, because a female lutino cockatiel prefers a private and snug place for nesting. You can also cover the cage surface with papers.

Temperature

The suitable temperature for a lutino cockatiel is 64°-75° F.

Lutino Cockatiels

Behavior

This friendly and curious bird has a lovely temperament. The biting tendency of juvenile and female birds lessens with time and training after they make a bond with their owners.

If you converse regularly, it can learn to acquire vocabulary and talk back. It produces sounds of calling bell, dog barking, and microwave sound as well.

If you put a couple together, then it will not at all crave for your attention as they are quite satisfied with each other and it is a pleasure to enjoy their courtship. Male lutino cockatiels sing to win the attention of their partner by exclusively sitting straight with wings stretched, whereas females often hang from the cage upside down.

The held back crest feathers of the bird indicates that it is happy in its condition, whereas the upright position of the crest feathers is the sign that your pet is inquisitive. Also, flattened crest feathers indicate it is stressed.

Lutino Cockatiel Male and Female

Baby Lutino Cockatiel

Diet

Ensure a well-balanced diet by including foods like commercially available cockatiel pellets, fresh green vegetables, seeds and unsweetened cereals. Dietary supplements like cuttlebones are useful for ensuring its calcium intake.

Care

Fresh water and food supply daily is a must to keep your pet healthy. Also, removing the dropping, food particles, and papers are required on a regular basis along with a disinfection of the cage once in a week. Change the toys, bells, and mirrors (if incorporated) rotationally. Do not provide them plastic and rubber toys as it may bring about a fatal consequence.

Since it needs to bathe twice or thrice weekly, you may either mist spray it or place a bird bath.

A sound sleep of around 8-9 hours at night is a key to having a healthy and happy bird.

Lutino Cockatiel Images

Lutino Cockatiel Pictures

Health problems

Syndromes like radical weight and feather losing, eye problems, bleeding, droopy wings and idle behavior might be the precursors of some serious ailments. Also, it might be affected by diseases like psittacosis, tumors, arthritis and constipation for which you need to provide professional medical help.

Price

$250-$300 is what you are going to need if you want to buy a lutino cockatiel.

Interesting facts

Lutino coloration is the second cockatiel mutation after the pied version.
The very first lutino mutation was observed in the aviary owned by a USA based gentleman named Mr. Cliff Barringer.
This mutation reached the other part of the world through an ex-curator of Florida Parrot Jungle named Mrs. E. L. Moon.