Cockatiel Bird Facts

Cockatiels are a species of small Australian parrot related to the cockatoo. They are intelligent and social birds that make excellent pets, although in the wild they are sometimes an agricultural pest. Most pet cockatiels are bred in captivity. The most common color is grey.

Cockatiels are a kind of cockatoo, which falls within the parrot group. They are native to Australia and their name means "little cockatoo."

Cockatiels are found in the wild in the Australian outback and are sometimes a pest, as they will eat crops. They live in pairs or small flocks. Their export is now banned but large numbers of cockatiels are being bred in captivity.

Unlike larger parrots, cockatiels seldom learn to speak, although they will imitate other noises such as musical tunes or the bark of a dog. They are also quite good at identifying sounds such as their owner's footsteps.

Cockatiels thrive on variety. They do not do well if confined to a cage all of the time and bird-proofing a room of the house so you can let them out for exercise is a good idea. They also like to have their cage covered at night and they need at least 12 hours of sleep. Highly social, two or three cockatiels are generally happier than one kept alone. They also like a varied diet.

Chicks are hard to sex until they reach six to nine months of age and grow their adult plumage. The coloring is brighter in males and in the grey cockatiel, the most common, the male is darker. Female cockatiels can breed from a year old and produce four to five eggs in a clutch.

The crest of a cockatiel shows its emotions, tending to rise vertically if the bird is excited or startled and flat when angry or afraid. Cockatiels are also noted for their extremely long tail feathers. Adults weigh between 2.8 and 4.2 ounces. Their lifespan is usually between 12 and 20 years.