Have a sharp Cockatiel that I was told was six months old. He or She is a beautiful bird in every way except the head feathers have not come in yet. Is this normal that the feathers are not there in a six months old bird? His or Her body is completely covered with feathers except for the top of the head area. Please let me know about how long it will take before the feathers fill in.

Temper!!! Wow-We've had the bird since Friday, July 12, 1996 so have had him or her for five days. Yes we (my wife and I) learned real fast that you don't pick up some birds with ungloved hands. The bites really hurt. The bird still will not let us pick him or her up and we can not hold it at all.

Is there a certain number of days before "friendliness" will set in? How long? A week? A month?

Thanks,

Simone H.

Simone,

There are some cockatiel mutations where it isn't uncommon for the bird to have a bald spot on the top of it's head. Those mutations are the lutino, the pied and the fallows and obviously any variation of those such as the lutino whiteface. While the bald spot is considered a fault in shows, there are many nice thin topped birds that are beautiful.

There is no specific time to expect a bird to become friendly. If your tiel was handfed, that makes it easier for you all. If he isn't handfed, you will need to be patient and persistent in taming him.