Their streamlined bodies are slender and tall. Males have prominent orange cheek patches and love to whistle. They easily learn to talk and make wonderful, sweet pets. The females, while not as vocally talented, make equally sweet pets. Hand raised babies are tame and trusting.
Cockatiels require spacious cages to accommodate their long tails and tall head feathers.
They have a wide wing span and should have enough room on either side of the cage to allow for full wing extension. The cage must be tall enough so that the crest feathers don't touch the top cage bars. Specially made cages for cockatiels are available, but many cockatiels enjoy the space large parrot cages provide. Just make sure that the bars are spaced closely enough together so that the bird can't get its head caught between them and choke. Purchase a cage with a slide out bottom to make clean up quicker and easier.