parrots - Physical Description Normal cockatiels are gray, with white patches on the wings. They have a yellow/white face with a bright orange patch over the 'ear'. Variations include : Pied (varing white patches cover body), Pearl (each feather retains gray color, with white intersperced), Lutino (Bird white with yellow/white/ orange face), and Albino (white bird) The drawback to the cockatiel is that it is very dusty. The cockatiel uses a powder to keep their wings water proof. After petting the bird, one normally has a powdery finger.