Cockatiel

Wild-type cockatiels feature primarily grey plumage with prominent white wing patches, a yellow crest, and bright orange cheek patches. Males generally have brighter yellow faces and more vibrant orange cheeks, whereas females and juveniles often display horizontal yellow bars on the underside of their tail feathers and duller face coloration. Numerous color mutations exist in captivity, including pied, lutino, and pearl.

Prominent yellow crest, orange cheek patches, grey body, and white wing stripes visible in flight.

Length: 30 to 33 cm (12 to 13 inches), Wingspan: Around 30 to 35 cm, Weight: 75 to 125 grams.

Comprises a variety of distinct whistles, chatters, and harsh alarm calls. Males are particularly vocal and prone to learning and mimicking tunes.

Primarily granivorous, feeding on grass seeds, grains, and occasionally fruits and insects. Forages mostly on the ground in the wild.

Arid or semi-arid open country, scrublands, bushlands, and farmlands, usually close to water.

Nomadic. They travel in flocks across the Australian interior following the availability of food and water sources.

Nests in hollows of mature trees, usually near water. Clutch size typically ranges from 4 to 7 white eggs, incubated by both parents over roughly 18 to 21 days.

Other small cockatoos or Australian parrots, but easily distinguished by the combination of a slender tail, distinctive crest, and orange cheek patches.

In their native habitat, cockatiels act as seed dispersers and play a role in local food webs as prey for larger raptors.

Least Concern, with stable populations distributed widely across the Australian outback.

In the wild, look for them near water sources in the early morning or late afternoon. In captivity, observe their body language, such as crest position, to understand their mood.

Cockatiels are the smallest members of the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae). Their crest acts as an emotional barometer, indicating fear, excitement, or contentment.