Natural grey cockatiels

[greyeagle1]

I have two beautiful natural grey female cockatiels and would like to know if the solid grey birds are genetically healthier and live longer than their inbred counterparts. I would love to know if I can look forward to a long and happy life with them.

[avinet]

I have 6 cockatiel pets, the oldest is 20 and is a lutino. Her only problem is cataracts developing in her eyes so she is partially blind now but otherwise in good health.

Next are a cinnamon pearl and a Platinum pearl, both about 18½ years old and in good health apart from some arthritis in the cinnamon. Then a grey girl we think about 16 and a pearly grey girl also about 16 and finally a pied male about 15.

So no, I don't think the mutation colour makes any difference to their health or possible life span. The oldest I have personally seen was 33 when he died while I have read of a 36 year old one.

However I generally think their lifespan to normally be around 15 years, and would equate that to an 80 year old human in frequency of occurence, while a 20 year old would be a 100 year old human equivalent.

Of course a good life span is predicated on a good diet - mine are on pellets with vegies, a cockatiel on a seed and vegie diet is more likely to have a 12 to 15 year lifespan, and a cockatiel on seed only would be very lucky to get to 10.

cheers,

Mike

[Laraine]

I have a grey tiel who is pushing 16, I hope he lives a lot longer yet.