Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Cockatiel
© Jamie Gilardi

Photos

Did You Know?

The Cockatiel is one of only three species of parrot that have crests and long tails, the others being Horned and Ouvéa Parakeets.

Academic Research

Related publications: Nymphicus hollandicus

Species Profile

Genus: Nymphicus | Species: hollandicus

Size:

29-33 cm (11-12.9 in)

Weight:

80-100g (2.8-3.5 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

one, with many colour mutations

Colour Adult:

Male-mainly soft grey with long, darker grey tail, yellow and grey crest and yellow face, orange ear patch and white on wing. Bill dark grey. Eye dark brown. Female-crown, crest and cheeks grey washed with yellow, brighter on lores; ear coverts dull orange; lower back and rump to underparts pale grey barred with white and yellow; centre tail feathers same; side tail feathers yellow, banded dark grey.

Colour Juvenile:

Immature male as in adult female; also bill horn in colour tinged with grey.

Call:

Sad, plaintive notes.

Video Links:

Video 1 | Video 2

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1977. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
The National Cockatiel Society
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Psittacine Aviculture, Schubot, Clubb and Clubb, 1992.

Cockatiel
© Jamie Gilardi

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Cockatiel is one of only three species of parrot that have crests and long tails, the others being Horned and Ouvéa Parakeets.

Academic Research

Related publications: Nymphicus hollandicus

Species Care

Captive Status:

Widespread in captivity.

Longevity:

20 yrs

Housing:

Walk in aviary, minimum length 2.1m (7 ft) or indoor cage minimum length 1.8m (6 ft).

Diet:

Mixture of small seeds: canary, millet and smaller amounts of oats, buckwheat, safflower; limited sunflower seed, millet spray; rearing food made from hard-boiled egg, green leaves and other vegetables, seeding grasses, fruits, complete kibble for cockatiels.

Enrichment:

Bathing; foot toys, destructible (non-toxic) toys, non-destructible (non-toxic plastic) toys, food-finder toys, preening toys, different texture and size hanging perch toys, fir branches, push-and-pull toys (sliding up and down), vegetable tanned leather toys.

Nest Box Size:

18cm (7") square, 30cm (11.7") high or 10" x 10" x 16" (25.4cm x 25.4cm x 40.6cm) vertical box.

Clutch Size:

1 to 7

Incubation Time:

19-21 days

Fledging Age:

5 weeks

Hatch Weight:

4-5g (0.1-0.2 oz)

Peak Weight:

90-100g (3.1-3.5 oz)

Weaning Weight:

90g (3.1 oz)

Cockatiel
© Jamie Gilardi

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Cockatiel is one of only three species of parrot that have crests and long tails, the others being Horned and Ouvéa Parakeets.

Academic Research

Related publications: Nymphicus hollandicus

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Not listed.

Threat Summary:

Not globally threatened. This species appears to have benefited from the addition of artificial watering for agriculture throughout its range.

Range:

Found throughout Australia, mainly in semi-arid regions.

Habitat:

Occurs in semi-arid areas, absent from wetter coastal areas; found in open woodland, acacia scrub, riverine forest, spinifex, farmland, orchards, savannas and along roadsides. Up to 400m (1312 ft).

Wild Diet:

Feeds on a wide variety of seeds, especially Acacia, as well as wheat, sunflower and sorghum.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Northern birds are nomadic, southern birds are seasonal migrants.

Clutch and Egg Size:

1 to 7, rounded eggs, 24.5 x 19 mm (0.9 x 0.7 in).

Breeding Season:

North, April-July; south, August-December. Nest is generally in tree cavity near water.

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Cockatiel is one of only three species of parrot that have crests and long tails, the others being Horned and Ouvéa Parakeets.

Academic Research

Related publications: Nymphicus hollandicus

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