JAMES HARRIS, DVM
Albino cockatiel sexing must wait until molt
 How can you determine the sex of a three-month-old "albino" red-eyed cockatiel?
--mskaluah10@aol.com
 YOU MIGHT HAVE to wait until it has completed its first molt at about 9 months of age. If the bird is male, the undersides of its outside tail feathers and first four to six wing feathers will be solid in color. If it's female, the underside of the tail feathers will have yellow stripes and the underside of the wing feathers will have yellow splotches of color in the vane.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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