Cockatiel

Nymphicus hollandicus

Last updated: April 25, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© iStock.com/nicepixel

They have crests that rise or fall depending on their emotions


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Cockatiel Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Cacatuidae
Genus
Nymphicus
Scientific Name
Nymphicus hollandicus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Cockatiel Locations

Cockatiel Locations

Cockatiel Facts

Prey
Terrestrial insects
Fun Fact
They have crests that rise or fall depending on their emotions
Estimated Population Size
Undetermined, but conservation status is least concern
Biggest Threat
Birds of prey
Most Distinctive Feature
Its cheek patches
Other Name(s)
Weiro bird, quarrion
Wingspan
11.8 to 13.7 inches
Incubation Period
17 to 23 days
Litter Size
Five
Habitat
Scrub, bush, wetlands
Predators
Raptors
Diet
Herbivore
Type
Bird
Common Name
Cockatiel
Number Of Species
1
Location
Australia
Average Clutch Size
5
Nesting Location
Tree cavities
Age of Molting
Three to five weeks

Cockatiel Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Yellow
  • White
  • Orange
Skin Type
Feathers
Top Speed
43 mph
Lifespan
As long as 35 years, average between 15 and 25 or longer in captivity
Weight
3.17 ounces
Length
9.84 to 13.8 inches

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The cockatiel is native to most of Australia, particularly rural places with freshwater supplies.
The cockatiel is native to most of Australia, particularly rural places with freshwater supplies.

“The Cockatiel is the second most popular cage bird after the budgie.”

One of the most popular birds to have as a companion, this small parrot is native to Australia. Though it doesn’t mimic human speech as well as some of its cousins, it is prized for its beauty and its vivacious personality. The price of this little cockatoo is also rather moderate. Read on to learn more about the cockatiel.

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4 Amazing Cockatiel Facts!

Head and shoulder profile of a cockatiel

The Cockatiel was formerly thought to be a species of parakeet.

©iStock.com/nicepixel

Here are four amazing facts about this popular small parrot.



  • It was once considered a type of parakeet.
  • It is the smallest of the cockatoos.
  • Unlike other cockatoos, the cockatiel has a long tail in proportion to the size of its body. The tail is about as long as the bird’s body, and unlike other parrots that have crests, it comes to a point.
  • The orange patches just beneath the bird’s eyes are called “cheddar cheeks.”

Evolution and Origins

Australia is home to cockatiels, which prefer the country’s wetlands, scrublands, and bushland. They are the smallest members of the cockatoo family, having been discovered in 1770. They have many of the same characteristics and habits as the larger bird. They live in big flocks in the wild. During the 1900s, cockatiels were popular as pets.

Cockatoo phylogeny is resolved using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA data. Cockatoos’ common ancestor lived around 27.9 million years ago. The color of plumage, body size, wing shape, and bill morphology are all very flexible.

Health and Entertainment for your Cockatiel

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Additionally, birds developed from theropod dinosaurs during the Jurassic period (approximately 165-150 million years ago), and their classic small, lightweight, feathered, and winged body plan evolved gradually over tens of millions of years.

Different Types

Here are the different mutations of Cockatiel:

  • Lutino
  • Lutino pearl
  • Pied
  • Pearly pied
  • Cinnamon
  • Cinnamon pied
  • Cinnamon pearly pied
  • Pearl/lacewing
  • Fallow
  • Olive
  • Emerald/spangled
  • Whiteface
  • Albino
  • Silver

Where To Find the Cockatiel

Most of Australia, especially the inland regions with freshwater sources, is home to the cockatiel.

©iStock.com/Vronja_Photon

The cockatiel is native to most of Australia, especially the inland areas where there are sources of freshwater. Habitats preferred are grassland, shrubland, savannas, or other open areas, especially those with acacia shrubs. They’re also found in cities, and flocks can be seen perching on electrical wires.

Cockatiel Nests

The birds nest in tree cavities at least 6.5 feet off the ground that were hollowed out by other animals. They most often choose dead eucalyptus trees, and a pair will claim an entire tree for themselves. As part of mating behavior, the male will actually inspect the nest to make sure that it’s safe.

Scientific Name

Nymphicus hollandicus is the scientific name for this bird.

©iStock.com/jojoo64

The bird’s scientific name is Nymphicus hollandicus. Nymphicus because the German ornithologist Johann Georg Wagler thought them as beautiful as the nymphs of Greek mythology. Hollandicus is Latin and refers to New Holland, which was the old name for Australia. There are only one species, but the bird comes in many types of color morphs.

Cockatiels belong to the same family as the cockatoo. There are also 8 genera of cockatoo that are further divided into 21 species. The cockatiel is the only species in the Nymphicus genera but has been known to hybridize with the galah, a cockatoo in the Eolophus genus.

Appearance

The Weiro bird is a slender bird with a long tail and a crest, and in their wild habitat, the males have gray plumage with patches of white on the wing and cheddar cheeks bordered in white. Females are also mostly gray, and their cheddar cheeks are less vivid and do not have a white border.

Their colors camouflage the birds as they forage for seeds on the ground. The cheek patches are not just there for aesthetics. The feathers found there actually protect the bird’s eyes and cut down on turbulence when it flies.

The feathers in the long tail are barred and fan out when the bird flies and the crest is a guide to the bird’s mood. When it’s fully erect the bird is excited. When it’s at an angle the bird is relaxed, but when it is laid flat against the head the bird is angry or feels threatened. If the crest protrudes outward when it’s flat, the cockatiel is flirting.

The beak of the quarrion is dark gray, and its legs are black. Two of their toes face backward and two face forward, a characteristic called zygodactyly. All parrots have this trait.

Cockatiel sitting near the window on a sunny day.

The quarrion’s beak is dark gray, and its legs are black.

©iStock.com/PaulGulea

Behavior

Yellow pet Cockatiel sitting on a human hand.

Yellow pet Cockatiel sitting on a human hand.

©iStock.com/sapozhnik

The quarrion has a gregarious personality and flocks travel and feed together in the wild. Some of these flocks can have thousands of birds. Yet, cockatiels will usually fly away if they feel threatened.

They rely on their feathers to help maintain a high body temperature, so they often preen themselves. They coat their outer feathers with a type of oil to keep them waterproof and shake off excess powder, which is a residue of old feathers that also keeps the feathers waterproof.

Besides arranging its crest, the Weiro bird uses sounds to communicate. Its voice can be loud and carry well, especially if it senses immediate danger. It can also spread its wings while it perches as mating behavior. Pet bird guides describe the cockatiel as energetic and playful with a peaceable personality. A bird that’s given good care can have a lifespan of over 30 years.

Cockatiel Migration Pattern and Timing

Depending on where they live, some quarrions are nomadic while others properly migrate. Nomads continually fly long distances to find food, especially if they come from the north of Australia, where the climate is wetter. Cockatiels that live in the southern part of the country migrate in the winter and spring.

Diet

The bills of these birds can help them eat many types of food, but seeds make up most of their diet, especially the seeds of acacia shrubs. They mostly feed on the ground in pairs, small groups, or huge flocks. If they must, they’ll also pluck seeds that are still on the trees.

They’ll hydrate from bodies of freshwater. Because they’re especially vulnerable to predators while they drink, quarrions only take a few sips and are able to go without water for a long time. The birds also eat insects, berries, and fruit. Though they are silent as they forage, they are noisy when they fly.

Predators and Threats

Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) and Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) in an aviary at Bandipur National Park, India.

©Harsha K R / Creative Commons

The main predator of quarrions is other birds, especially birds of prey. But they are fast fliers and will quickly alert the rest of the flock to danger through loud screams. It also helps for the quarrion to gather in large flocks, where many can be on the lookout for predators and predators can be confused when thousands of birds take wing at the same time.

Cockatiels are also subject to diseases spread by Giardia and Cryptosporidium bacteria. Some of these bacteria attack the liver, and the resulting illness can shorten the bird’s life.

Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

This small parrot is monogamous and pairs up when it’s young, though it may be a while after this before it actually breeds. The cockatiel naturally breeds when the spring rains come. They engage in mating behaviors such as peeps, whistles, and calls, holding the tail feathers up in the case of the females, and strutting and holding their wings out in the case of the males. The males, as stated, also check out the nest cavity.

Weiro birds also easily breed in captivity if the cage is roomy and is provided with a nest box.

The female lays an average of five eggs after mating. The eggs are laid every other day and are incubated between 17 and 23 days. If she loses an egg, she’ll lay another one to replace it. This is called indeterminate egg-laying. Because the male’s sperm lives a long time, she can lay an egg as long as a month after mating.

During the incubation, the males sit on the eggs from the early morning till late in the afternoon while the female incubates the eggs through the night. When the chicks hatch, both parents care for them. They’re ready to leave the nest when they’re about a month old, but they’re not ready to reproduce themselves until the female is 18 months old, and the male is 13 months old. In the wild, a cockatiel’s lifespan can be 10 to 14 years, and it can be much longer if the bird is kept as a companion.

Population

The exact number of quarrions has not been determined by scientists, but the population is stable, and the conservation status is least concern.

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About the Author

Rebecca is an experienced Professional Freelancer with nearly a decade of expertise in writing SEO Content, Digital Illustrations, and Graphic Design. When not engrossed in her creative endeavors, Rebecca dedicates her time to cycling and filming her nature adventures. When not focused on her passion for creating and crafting optimized materials, she harbors a deep fascination and love for cats, jumping spiders, and pet rats.

Cockatiel FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are Cockatiels carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores?

These birds are mostly herbivores. They much prefer to eat seeds, though they will also take fruit and berries.

How much is a cockatiel?

The price ranges from $80 to $250. Different types of cockatiels have different price ranges. Colors such as lutino, for example, tend to cost more than colors such as pied or cinnamon.

What can cockatiel eat?

Weiro birds thrive on pellets or mixed seeds bought at pet stores. Treats include leafy green vegetables and fresh fruit.

How do I tame a cockatiel?

The first rule of taming a cockatiel is to use gentleness and patience. Let the bird stay in its cage in a calm and quiet area for a while, and talk to it in a soft voice for a few days before trying to train it.

The pet owner can then introduce a treat while they talk to the bird, then quietly introduce their hand. The bird will eventually associate the hand with a treat. Do this no longer than twice a day for 10 to 15-minute sessions. If this is done carefully, the owner can eventually encourage the bird to step onto his finger.

Where do I buy a cockatiel?

A cockatiel can be bought from a professional who breeds cockatiels or from a pet store. Now and then a cockatiel can be adopted out of a shelter or from someone who can no longer care for it.

Can a cockatiel talk?

Cockatiels aren’t much for talking, but they can mimic tunes and whistles.

Are cockatiels good pets for beginners?

Guides for companion birds claim that the cockatiel is a good pet for a beginner. They are easy to care for, easy to tame and relatively quiet for a parrot.

Do cockatiels recognize their owners?

Cockatiels do seem to recognize their owners, and the way they move their crests show that they are happy to see them.

What are cockatiels’ lifespan?

In the wild, this small parrot lives between 10 and 14 years but can live over 20 or even 30 years in captivity.

Why is my cockatiel sleeping so much?

Though birds naturally have periods of sleep throughout the day, a cockatiel that seems to sleep a lot while perching on both feet might be sick. In that case, it’s time to get the bird to the vet.

What is the difference between Cockatoo and Cockatiel?

The main difference between a cockatoo and a cockatiel is that most species of cockatoo are larger, cockatoos are more widely distributed, and cockatiels make better pets.

Although both are kept as pets, cockatoos are known for their difficulty. Subsequently, they have a smaller share of the total number of birds kept as pets worldwide. On the contrary, cockatiels are extremely easy to keep and are among the most popular birds kept as pets anywhere in the world.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Petkeen, Available here: https://petkeen.com/cockatiel-cost/
  2. Integrated Taxonomic Information System, Available here: https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=177497#null
  3. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockatiel
  4. Kids Zoo, Available here: https://kidszoo.org/our-animals/cockatiel/
  5. Pets On Mom, Available here: https://animals.mom.com/cockatiels-come-from-11481.html
  6. Bird Life International, Available here: http://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/22684828

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