Cockatiel

[zipadeedodah]

Do cockatiels tend to lose their orange cheeks as the get older (he's 12), could it be a sign of illness or something?

Thanks

[wildwood]

Not usually. If it is alone (so no other birds is plucking it) it may have an irritation and rub the side of its head on a perch. A bird spray [lice & tick] may solve the problem.

Cockatiels easily live for 20 years so it is only 'middle aged'.