Birds
Cockatiel
nymphicus hollandicus
IUCN Red ListLeast Concern
Cockatiel
- Description
- The cockatiel is a small Australian parrot and the smallest member of the cockatoo family, instantly recognisable by its pointed crest and round orange cheek patches. Males show a bright yellow face and vivid cheeks, while females are more subdued and keep fine barring beneath the tail. It measures 30–33 cm, much of which is its long tapering tail, and ranks among the most popular pet birds in the world.
- Habitat
- The dry interior of Australia — bush, savanna, open scrub and the fringes of watercourses. It avoids the humid coastal forests and often wanders long distances in search of food and water.
- Diet
- Mainly grass and plant seeds gathered on the ground, supplemented with fruit, berries and fresh green shoots.
- Reproduction
- It nests in tree hollows, where the female lays 4–7 eggs. Both parents share the roughly 18–21 day incubation, and the chicks fledge at about 4–5 weeks.
- Lifespan
- Usually 10–15 years in the wild; in human care it commonly reaches 15–20 years and occasionally more than 25.
- Did you know?
- Male cockatiels are talented whistlers — they can learn to whistle whole tunes and mimic simple household sounds.
Homeland & habitat
Where the cockatiel lives
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Australia (interior)Native to the dry interior of Australia, where it roams the bush and savanna in flocks.
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Native range
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10 facts about the cockatiel
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Conservation status
Species vulnerability index
Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
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