Last week I came downstairs first thing in the morning to find my 13 year-old Lutino Cockatiel dead on the floor of the living room. Previous to this he had never left his cage at night, even though it was left open. I am absolutely heartbroken and can’t understand what happened. He seemed lively and healthy the previous evening and was eating normally.
Hi,
I’m so sorry for your sudden loss. At his age, it was most likely from old age. Lutino cockatiels do not live as long as the other mutations in general. There is a lot of inbreeding to get color mutations, and everyone wants a lutino, so sadly the genetics are often not strong. There is a possibility that something scared him and he panicked in the dark, but since he has never left the cage at night before, I would lean towards this being age related.
Take care,
Brenda
