Cockatiel

## Description

The cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia. They are prized as household pets and companion parrots throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed. As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the budgerigar. In the United States cockatiels are often referred to simply as "tiels", and in Australia, their native country, as “quarrions” or “weiros”. These birds are the smallest members of the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae).

## Appearance

Although in captivity many color varieties are bred, wild cockatiels have a distinctive appearance, their plumage is largely gray, with a yellow face, orange patches on the cheeks, a long, wispy, gray, and yellow crest, and prominent white patches on gray wings. Females and juveniles have duller plumage than adult males. The male’s tail is dark gray, but females and juveniles have yellowish outermost tail feathers with gray barring.

## Distribution

Cockatiels are endemic to mainland of Australia and are widely distributed throughout the country, with more in the southwest. There are not many in Tasmania. These birds occur in a range of open habitats, generally preferring those that are sparsely wooded and near fresh water. This small cockatoo lives in open woodland, farmland, savanna, acacia scrub, orchards, and in urban gardens and parks.

## Behavior

Cockatiels can occur in pairs or in small groups, but they usually congregate in flocks of as many as several hundred birds, especially where food is abundant. An individual within these large groups maintains its own space, perched birds not being in contact with each other. They usually perch on the top of dead trees or on power lines, group members adopting the same position as the others, facing the same direction and into the wind. These birds are diurnal. At night they sleep in communal roosts in trees, hidden in dense foliage. Before sunrise, they leave the roost. These birds are swift, powerful fliers, and flocks will often make long flights to go between foraging grounds, water sources, and roosting sites. They are usually silent when feeding on the ground, but noisy in flight. When it is not the breeding season, cockatiels are nomadic and will wander, depending on the seeding of grasses as well as cultivated plants.

## Diet

Cockatiels are herbivores (granivores), eating mainly acacia seeds, and also those of both native and cultivated plants, fruits, grains, and berries. They need to drink regularly, and so they are often seen near water.

## Reproduction

Cockatiels are monogamous breeders, with pairs forming strong bonds and possibly mating for life. Breeding is from August to December, but occasionally as soon as April, depending on weather conditions, particularly rainfall. The bird’s nest is a tree hollow, simply lined with wood dust. They can produce several broods each season. Females usually lay between 4 and 7 white eggs. Incubation is for about three weeks by both parents, the female at night, and the male during the day. When they hatch, chicks are covered with thick yellow down. At around 4-5 weeks old they leave the nest. Young grow quickly and very soon can join nomadic flocks. At about the age of six months, males develop yellow markings on their faces, but this species is not sexually mature until the age of 13 months for males and 18 months for females.

## Population

### Population threats

The cockatiel is widespread and common and is not currently regarded as being at risk of extinction. Large flocks are, however, regarded by farmers as pests and are sometimes killed under permit.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the cockatiel is common and abundant throughout its large range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today remain stable.

### Ecological niche

Although preferring sun-dried seeds, cockatiels can act as seed-dispersers in their habitats when they eat fresh seeds. Being very messy eaters, they scatter seeds and shells up to four or five feet when they eat. They also disperse seeds of the fruit they consume.

## Fun Facts

Cockatiels were discovered by Europeans in Australia in 1770, becoming popular in the 1900s during the Australian gold rush.

Cockatiels enter their nest hollow tail first, their tail being so long that they cannot turn around in the nest.

Cockatiels do not make a screeching sound like many other parrots and can learn to 'speak'.

Cockatiels can mimic a range of sounds, including other birds’ calls.

A galatiel is a chick produced by a cockatiel and a galah mating with each other.

Males are better than females at whistling and talking. Wild male cockatiels use these sounds to attract females.