MOLTING: Can the "pattern" on a Cockatiel's Feathers Change Following A Typical Molt?

Question

I lost my White Faced Cockatiel back in February, and have continued to search many sites for lost and found pets since Cockatiels have the ability to travel great distances and survive should they manage to successfully join a flock of birds. Many sites offer photos of these birds, and I have seen one or two photos of a White Faced Cockatiel in the area where I live, but with a very different pattern of gray and white colors on its feathers. My bird has been gone for several months and IF he has molted, is it possible that his feather pattern changed? I have noticed suttle changes in the color pattern on my Maroon-Tailed Conure's tail (ie., a white patch at the tip of her tail), so I wondered if this is possible for a Cockatiel.

Answer 1

No it isn't. The only colour or feather change that ever occurs in a cockatiel moult is when they mature at approx 6 months old & go through their first 'real' moult to turn into adults.

After this there should be no change in feather colour unless the bird has an illness. EG: yellowing on white feathers can be an indication of liver problems.

If your tiel is an adult you should not see any difference in feather changes or colours. Their are MANY white faces around & all look almost identical.