MH> I Have heard of green tiels.  Easy enough to check it out-Plenty of
MH> Cockatiel Experts on the Web.
MH> I can't wait to see how it works out.  It is amazing that no one else has
MH> any input on this!
There was an article by Bobbie Andleton published recently in the
April/May/June 1996 SPBE magazine, called "Identifying UFOs". It had
info about green 'tiel mutations. (Talk about good timing in relation to
this thread!!!)
"At the 1995 National, aviculturists exclaimed over the appearance of a
"new" patterned, olive green, silver cockatiel."
"When the history and science of mutations is studied the identity of
this particular cockatiel, which had very mistakenly been named "the
emerald", becomes exceedingly easy."
"It is an Autosomal Recessive Silver Spangle with heavy yellow
suffusion, and althrough new to the United States, the Silver Spangle
and "Green" cockatiels have been bred in England and Australia for many
years prior to this appearance in the United States. In fact it can be
questioned as to whether the bird was truly spontaneous, or if the
parents had been split to the mutation coming into the country as one of
the many imported cockateisl of the mid-80's! Australians have seriously
speculated that the Australian Silver Spangle actually came from England
in the form of smuggled eggs!"
"Upon looking at the first slide I immediately recognized it as a Silver
Spangle Cockatiel". Several judges have also immediately identified the
bird as a Dilute Silver Spangle with heavy yellow suffusion."
As to the bird the person has as a pet, I SERIOUSLY doubt it's one of
the above rare mutations, even if it IS green. Rare new mutations of
cockatiels tend to cost over $1000 (US) each when first introduced.
And they are watched and guarded carefully by their breeders. I don't
think one accidentally got sent to a pet store...
SO, while there are apparently legitimately olive-greenish cockatiels
out there, I still think the one that was first mentioned out here is
green as a result of a strange diet!
--Kathy
 * SLMR 2.1a * Never teach a pig to sing--wastes your time, annoys pig.
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