Click to Skip Ahead
Cockatiels are among the most popular birds kept as pets because of their big personalities and beautiful appearance. The cinnamon pearl cockatiel is a unique variation of this bird. They have an attractive feather pattern that was originally achieved entirely by accident but was continued through selective breeding practices. Keep reading for more information about the cinnamon pearl cockatiel!
Species Overview
| Common Names | Cinnamon pearl cockatiel, Isabelle cockatiel, cinnamon tiel |
| Scientific Name | Nymphicus hollandicus |
| Adult Height | 10–12 inches |
| Adult Weight | 3–4 ounces |
| Life Expectancy | 16–35 years |
Origin & History
The cockatiel is a bird species that originated in Australia, but they have been popular in the pet trade for over 100 years. In the wild, cockatiels may live in flocks of dozens or hundreds of birds, and they’re still highly social when kept as pets.
The export of cockatiels is no longer legal, thanks to a law that was passed in 1939, making the export of all native Australian birds illegal. This means that all cockatiels within the pet trade today are captive-bred.
The cinnamon pearl appearance is caused by a recessive gene. It originated with gray cockatiels, but once breeders realized the unique appearance that the gene created, they began carefully selecting and breeding for it. Since cinnamon pearl cockatiels are a product of selective breeding, this coloration doesn’t exist in the wild.
Temperament
Like other varieties, cinnamon pearl cockatiels are social animals that can bond with humans and birds alike. They require daily interaction with their owners, though. Otherwise, they may feel bored or sad, and in some cases, they may begin exhibiting aggression and other undesirable behaviors.
These birds are not suitable for just any home environment, and if you don’t think you can commit the daily time that they require, it is best to avoid getting one. They are prone to loneliness without proper interaction and care. Over time, excessive loneliness can lead to stress, which can negatively impact the bird’s health.
They tend to be lower activity birds than some other parrot species, which may make them suitable for you if you’re interested in a companion bird that requires your attention but is relatively laidback in temperament.
Cinnamon Pearl Cockatiel Colors and Markings
When cinnamon pearl cockatiels are hatchlings, they are typically a light yellow color. Like other baby birds, they have downy feathers and oversized heads compared to their bodies.
As they age, they develop a cinnamon brown or gray coloration. This is a result of a gene that causes the typical gray coloration of cockatiels to be replaced with a cinnamon-tinged coloration.
They have bright yellow tail feathers, causing their cinnamon color to be even more striking. Adult males have yellow faces and orange cheeks, while females usually have light orange cheeks and white faces.
There are a few variations of the cinnamon pearl cockatiel:
- Cinnamon pearly: The feathers are cinnamon with yellow edges and tips. The cinnamon coloration varies throughout the body.
- Cinnamon pied: The feathers are cinnamon and yellow across the body, but the intensity of the colors varies.
- Cinnamon pearly pied: This is a combination of both the cinnamon pearly and cinnamon pied colorations. A cinnamon-tinged brown color appears in areas where other cockatiels would have gray coloration.
If you’re curious about the many color mutations and types of cockatiels, we can’t recommend the book The Ultimate Guide to Cockatiels enough!
This beautiful book (available on Amazon) features a detailed, illustrated guide to cockatiel color mutations, plus helpful tips on housing, feeding, breeding, and generally taking excellent care of your birds.
Diet and Nutrition
Like all cockatiels, cinnamon pearl cockatiels require a combination of foods to keep them healthy and nourished. The base of their diet should consist of commercial parrot pellet food. Up to 30% of their daily diet can consist of seeds, and these and their pellets should be supplemented with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits, like apples, bananas, spinach, and carrots. Cuttlebones, which can be purchased in the bird section of most pet shops, should also be provided for calcium supplementation and to keep the bird’s beak healthy. Always provide clean, fresh water to your cockatiel.
Where to Adopt or Buy a Cinnamon Pearl Cockatiel
A cockatiel breeder is your best bet for finding a healthy and well-adjusted cinnamon pearl cockatiel. Aim to find one that has been handled regularly. Improperly socialized cockatiels and those that aren’t used to being held and handled by humans can be difficult to manage.
The alternative to purchasing directly from a breeder is to purchase a cinnamon pearl cockatiel from small pet shops. Local stores are more likely to work closely with responsible breeders than big box pet stores. These small shops are also likely to be able to tell you exactly where your bird originated, and they tend to have more educated and passionate employees who have the best interest of the animals at heart.
Conclusion
Cinnamon pearl cockatiels are beautiful birds that have unique feathers among cockatiels. This genetic mutation doesn’t occur in the wild, making these birds entirely the product of selective breeding practices. Appearance aside, cinnamon pearl cockatiels don’t have different needs from other varieties. They have the same temperament, making them highly social birds that do best with avian partners and routine handling and attention from the humans they are bonded to.
Cockatiels are relatively healthy birds overall, and the cinnamon pearl cockatiel is no different. There are no known health problems associated with the gene that leads to the cinnamon pearl coloration, so this bird is likely to be healthy and happy. Cockatiels can live upward of 35 years with excellent care, so it’s important to consider this when deciding on bringing home a cinnamon pearl cockatiel.
- See Also: DIY Cockatiel Toys You Can Make Today
Featured Image Credit: Barbara Rost, Shutterstock
