A cockatiel is a small parrot.
Their body is grey and their face is yellow.
They have an orange spot on each cheek.
Cockatiels have a crest on top of their head.
Some are wild and some are pets.
Cockatiels are small Australian parrots related to cockatoos.
Wild cockatiels ©Getty Images
Body and Behaviours
Cockatiels are the smallest of the cockatoo family. An adult weighs about 90 grams (3.25 oz), and is about 32cm (12.5in) long with a wingspan of 25-30cm (10-12in).
The natural colour of a cockatiel is grey with a yellow face and orange cheek patches.
The crest is yellow-orange. When a cockatiel is relaxed, the crest is fairly flat with the tip pointing upwards. If the crest is upright, the bird is interested. If it is as far forwards as it can go, the cockatiel is concentrating, and if it is right back, the bird is upset or afraid.
They often stand on one leg with the other tucked up close to the body, which is how it relaxes and stays warm.
Habitat
Cockatiels in the wild live in a variety of inland habitats near rivers or lakes, such as forests and grasslands in areas of low rainfall. They do not live in coastal areas.
Diet
In the wild cockatiels eat seeds, grasses and leaves. They may also eat grubs and insects. They drink fresh water.
Life Cycle
Cockatiels stay with the same partner for life. They nest in tree hollows, which they enter tail first due to the length of their tails.
After mating with a male cockatiel, a female bird will lay from 3 to 8 eggs. The male and the female take turns at sitting on the eggs. This is called incubation.
Newly hatched cockatiel chick ©Getty Images
Incubation is for about 21 days and then the eggs hatch. Parent birds feed the chicks for up to 8 weeks. After that the young birds can feed and look after themselves.
Cockatiels can live for around 15-20 years.
Cockatiels as pets
Cockatiels are very popular pets, both in Australia and around the world. In fact, they are the second most popular bird pet after budgerigars.
Pet cockatiels are bred in captivity, not taken from the wild. Tame cockatiels have been specially bred to produce different coloured birds. Lutino cockatiels are white, pied cockatiels have patches of dark and light feathers, and there are cinnamon and pearl cockatiels.
Cockatiels make chirping and whistling noises. They are intelligent birds and can be taught to perform tricks, whistle and talk. They are bright, acrobatic and entertaining pets.
A female pet cockatoo. Image©Getty
A pet cockatiel with eggs in a nesting box ©Getty images
As well as seed, pet cockatiels should also be fed fresh green vegetables such as spinach, chard, carrot tops and herbs. Vegetables such as corn, peas, carrots and broccoli are good too, as are apples, pears and berries.
They can be given cooked rice and pasta too.
A cockatiel in flight ©Getty Images
Responsible pet ownership
Pet cockatiels depend on their owners for food, protection and shelter. Before becoming a pet owner think carefully about all the things you will have to do to care for your pet responsibly.
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