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it looks mostly like an albino
cockatiel
albinos and lutinos were the first mutations recorded in
captivity for cockatiels. They are reasonably common, so the bird is likely to
be an escapee from captivity.
Mutations occur naturally every generation in every animal
and plant, only a small proportion of mutations affect the colour of the
bird. It is just that captive breeders often select for those colour
mutations, whereas in the wild the colour mutations are often selected
against.
It is not a hybrid, that is a different
issue.
Benj Whitworth
During a recent trip to Qld we saw this bird in a
eucalypt at Tin Can Bay. At first we were unable to identify it but then
noticed its "blusher" marks on the cheeks. The bird was very docile
throughout the time we watched it. Could have been sick or frightened
and it only turned its head a little a couple of times. We were
able to walk around it to view from various angles and put the scope on
it. We did not see cockatiels in the area, and I don't think I have ever
seen them east of the GD Ranges, although the distribution maps show they could
be in this area of Qld. Could this be a "natural" mutation or a
hybridisated bird?
The attached photo was taken through the scope
without benefit of an adapter. This was the first time we have tried this
"technique" and was the only successful shot of several tries. So strange
bird, strange photo.
Many good birds in that area of Qld, especially
terns and honeyeaters, and there was some rain which was very welcome from our
point of view. We were also lucky enough to see a small flock of
Black-breasted Buttonquails but can only wonder how they survive in such a small
pocket of undergrowth which is under extreme pressure from human
usage.
Any comments on this bird would be
welcomed.
Allan and Hazel Wright
Canberra ACT
The Nation's Capital
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