Hi, I'm a new mom of a Cockatiel

[lorilazerson]

HI, I'm new to the board and we just brought home a standard grey cockatiel yesterday. We don't know if it's a boy or girl, so we're having a hard time finding a name. I have 4 kids and each one wants a different name. I took "him" to the vet today and everything looks good. He's only 2 mos. old...how long will it be before we know if it's a boy or a girl w/o having to do a dna test? Yesterday at Omars he was chirping away. Today, he's as quiet as a mouse. He does love to cuddle and hates to go back in his cage. Any advice anyone can share that will be helpful, is greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks,
lori

[Kevin]

Hey local! Yorba Linda Here... I take it you went to Omar's store in Lake Forest Right ?

You will probably see visible signs closer to 1 year of age... from obvious body language...
other signs are rings in the tail feathers, bright yellows on the cheeks is a giveaway that its a male... Also if its a male he will be quite vocal...

[Courtzrocks]

Although my male tiel isnt very vocal but my nana's females are...maybe aussie born birds are sexually confused?? lol. Oh and about the name....I named mine when I was 3 and later found out i got the sex wrong so he is forever Daisy...poor guy lol...I go for unisex names now LOL Don't trust myself haha, Welcome!

[my-africangrey-echo]

Yes I agree until about a year there is no visual way to tell. If you decide to have her/him DNA tested it only cost about 25 bucks at most depending on if you do it yourself or have a pet store or vet do it for you. I am going to DNA my new baby but (she) is a white face and will not have the bright or dull yellow face to help me visualize it. Plus I want to know before putting her in with my male so I have an idea of what to expect in the future!

[lorilazerson]

Hi Kevin....neighbor!!! Yes, we did get him at Omars in Lake Forest. It's a great place.

Our little one already has orange circles on his cheeks. His face is pale yellow but around his eyes and at the ridge of his beak btwn his eyes, is bright yellow. Yesterday at Omars he was whistling away but since he's been home, we've heard nothing. At the vet today, they told us DNA testing would be around $82. I think we'll wait and give "him" the name of either Swizzle or Tilly. The kids are still deciding.
I'm so glad I found this board....it's great!!!
lori

[micki]

Hi Lori welcome to the forum.

[Ashling]

Welcome :D Sounds like a boy to me... if he has yellow and orange and whistles alot... but it can be very tricky. Grey's are the easiest colour to sex though, so that's fortunate! I think Swizzle is a unique name :D My friend's cat is called Tilly and she's a girl :o hehe