Lutino Cockatiel: Quick Guide To This Special Breed Of Bird Species That You Don't See In The Wild

You might think that the lutino cockatiel is one of the most common variations of cockatiel around because they are so popular as pets. 

In fact:

They are quite a special species which were developed by breeders and not seen in the wild. This makes them an even more unique addition to your family...

If you are interested in adopting a lutino cockatiel, there are a few things that you need to know in order to care for them properly.

Overview Of Lutino Cockatiel

The scientific name of this species is the nymphicus hollandicus. As they are not seen in the wild they aren’t indigenous to any particular part of the world but they do descend from the Grey Cockatiel which is found in Australia. They live in arid or semi-arid areas close to the water but not coastal regions like Tasmania.

Common cockatiel breeds that are similar to the lutino cockatiel include the lutino pearl and pied. The lutino cockatiel is also popularly known as the lutino tiel or moonbeam cockatiel because of its beautiful yellow and white plumage.

Lutino Cockatiel Characteristics

As mentioned, the lutino cockatiel is a well-recognized variation of this popular pet bird but there are several aspects that make it easy to differentiate this yellow cockatiel from other variations of cockatiel.

Physical

These smaller birds measure around 12 inches in length, partly because of their long tails, and weigh 75-125 grams making them perfect for smaller homes and apartments. Their average wingspan is 30-35 cm so they still need a decent space to stretch those wings though.

Despite being smaller than the regular parrot, cockatiels are still considered members of the parrot family because of the shape of their beaks.

One of the reasons the lutino cockatiel is so popular is because of its unique look. This yellow cockatiel features all yellow or off-white feathers with stunning orange cheek patches and red eyes. They are often recognized for their bright yellow erectile crests which only stand up when they are feeling stimulated, excited, angry, defensive or submissive.

Behavior

For a small bird, lutino cockatiels pack in a lot of energy. This means they need plenty of room to explore despite their smaller size and regular new toys to keep them occupied. They are also very sociable and benefit from being around other birds or people as much as possible. If you don’t have companions for your lutino cockatiel, make sure you spend time with them regularly.

Another good thing about these all yellow cockatiels is that they are pretty quiet compared to other parrots. Not all ‘tiels are talkative but you can certainly teach them a few words and phrases if you train them diligently. Males are more talkative than females and they are also good at imitating sounds so many can learn to whistle whole songs.

As long as you care for them properly, your lutino cockatiel can live for up to 35 years.

Raising A Lutino Cockatiel As A Pet

Now that you know a little bit about the lutino cockatiel, let’s take a look at how they are as a pet.

Personality

Lutino cockatiels make great family pets as they don’t tend to get attached to one person. Just watch them with younger children as smaller birds are likely to get startled and lash out by nipping. Although they can be nippy, a lot of cockatiels can also be very affectionate and cuddly. They especially like a nice head rub.

They are also inquisitive and intelligent which makes them very entertaining to live with. As mentioned, they are happier with other birds but can live alone as long as you give them plenty of attention. This yellow parrot is easy to breed so if you can find it a partner you can expect a brood of baby cockatiels.

As with all parrots, the lutino cockatiel should be let out of its cage for a few hours a day to stretch its wings and prevent boredom.

Can They Be Trained?  

Lutino cockatiels can learn to do a range of tricks including dancing and whistling. Although they don’t always learn to speak as much as some parrots, they are very good at whistling and you can easily teach them how to whistle along to your favorite song.

You can also teach them how to dance along by simply moving your finger to the music and watching them follow. These intelligent birds are easy to train and pick up moves and sounds quickly.

Is My Home Right For A Lutino Cockatiel?

If you do live in a smaller house or apartment this all yellow cockatiel isn’t a bad choice for a pet as they are not known to make too much noise. However, all birds need time out of their cage to stretch their wings so you will need to live somewhere with some open spaces which are safe for it to fly around in.

Do I Need Experience With Birds?

A lot of prospective bird owners wonder whether or not they have the right level of experience for particular bird species. The lutino cockatiel is good for first-time owners as it needs attention but is still relatively independent. 

Just make sure you are well read up on how to properly care for a lutino cockatiel which you will find in the next section...

How To Care for A Lutino Cockatiel

Once you know you want to adopt a lutino cockatiel, learning how to care for them properly is the next step.

Cage Size

You can’t just buy any old bird cage. This species needs a perfectly sized Cockatiel cage that has a bar spacing of ½ - 5/8 inches. The cage itself should be at least 20 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 24 inches in height.

Diet

Commercial cockatiel feed is the perfect combination of seeds and pellets for lutino cockatiels. You can also add a range of parrot safe fruits and vegetables. 

A varied diet keeps them healthy and well nourished so make sure you mix up their daily meals with protein sources, like beans, eggs and lean meats, and grains like brown rice and whole wheat bread. Just check that all the foods you use are cockatiel safe first.

Your cockatiels bowl should always be 3 quarters full and refreshed daily even if they don’t finish their meal. They can have vegetables every other day and fruit once a week. As a special treat you can also offer them a honey stick every now and then.

Breeding

Unlike some other parrots, cockatiels aren’t particularly picky when it comes to breeding so you can quite easily find them a partner. 

First, you will need to provide a nest box and some material for nest construction. Make sure their box is placed in a quiet and concealed part of the cage and it is big enough to house two full grown cockatiels.

By breeding your yellow cockatiel with other variations of the breed, you can hatch special and even more unique species’ including pied, cinnamon, and pearl cockatiels.

Exercise/Playtime

As with most parrots and cockatiels this all yellow cockatiel needs plenty of time out of the cage every day. They also need a range of toys in their cage to keep them entertained when they are inside. Make sure you give them plenty of attention whether they are in or out of their cage.

Lutino cockatiels love bird swings and a range of toys you can make yourself from paper and cardboard, so you don’t have to worry about rushing out to buy a load of plastic toys. If you are buying toys for your lutino cockatiel, make sure all the material used is safe.

Price

Compared to large parrots, cockatiels are relatively budget friendly at around 50-150 USD. If we talk about lutino cockatiel price, it can sometimes depend on how rare their coloring is. Make sure you’ve kitted out your home with the right toys, cage, and food containers before you adopt your new yellow cockatiel.

Health

Health problems should seriously be considered whenever you purchase a pet. Breeding can lead to health problems in these birds including baldness and hemophilia. To keep your cockatiel healthy, make sure you look out for any changes in behavior including decrease in appetite, disheveled feathers from lack of grooming or discharge from the nostrils or mouth.

Similar Species

As cocktails can easily be bred in captivity, there are a range of cockatiel variations which are similar to the lutino cockatiel but have their own unique colorings and personalities. This includes the lutino pearl pied cockatiel, cinnamon lutino cockatiel, and even the white-face cockatiel which are described as albino looking variations of this beautiful yellow cockatiel.

Before you decide whether you'd want a lutino cockatiel or not, watch how this good little boy says he is a pretty, pretty bird in this video, below: 

Should I Get A Lutino Cockatiel?

If you are a first-time bird owner or an experienced bird enthusiast, lutino cockatiels make wonderful companions.

They are affectionate and relatively easy to care for as long as you read up on all you need for their proper care and make time to give them plenty of attention.