This is a cockatiel playing on a ladder. Cockatiels, or Nymphicus hollandicus , come from Australia originally, but can be found in any home as a pet. They are mostly found away from the coasts of Australia,usually in wide open areas. In our classroom though, they have a cage with seeds, water, and other toys such as bars to climb on, mirrors, and bells. Their predators include medium sized birds that swoop, and native Australians, the Aborigines.
Cockatiels can live up to fifteen years, but usually only ten to twelve.
At one year old it is safe for them to mate, and they have six to eight eggs when they do. It takes the eggs about twenty-one days to hatch. The chicks should be mature by the time they are nine months old. In the wild they live in large groups up to 500, but in captivity they prefer to be alone or with a mate. They raise their young until they are old enough to be on their own.