Cockatiels
Description
The cockatiel is a small parrot of the Cacatuidae family. Like the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, the cockatiel has an erectible crest. Cockatiels and cockatoos also share other features, such as the facial feathers covering the sides of the beak, which are rarely found outside the Cacatuidae family.
In contrast to most cockatoos, the cockatiel has long tail feathers, making up roughly half of its total length. The cockatiel's distinctive pointed yellow crest is held erect while startled or excited, while a crest slightly tilted indicates a relaxed state of mind. The plumage is generally mid-grey, lighter underneath, with an orange ear patch and a prominent white blaze on the wings. A row of yellowish spots can be found underneath the wings of female cockatiels, but not on the males. Some other breeds exist, such as the Lutino, which is a light yellow colour. Females Lutinos also have barred tail feathers. Both the cock and the hen have yellow facial feathers: the female has a yellow wash around the beak and eye, in the male, yellow covers most of the head and the fore part of the crest. Male cockatiels are very protective and nurturing of their offspring and are known to be very capable of raising their newborns if the mother is unable to.
Biology
For many years, the relationship between cockatiels and other cockatoos was unclear. While most other cockatoos are 500 mm to 600 mm in length, cockatiels are normally 300 mm to 330 mm. There are several significant characteristics that are unique to cockatiels, including an erectile crest, a gallbladder, and powder down patches. Recent genetic studies have confirmed the position of the cockatiel within the family Cacatuidae; currently it is the only species in the genus Nymphicus and in the subfamily Nymphicanae. It is clearly more closely related to the Calyptorhynchinae (black cockatoos) than to the Cactuinae (white cockatoos). Despite its apparent physical differences, it actually is thought to have diverged from the black cockatoos quite recently.
The cockatiel's scientific name Nymphicus hollandicus reflects the experience of one of the earliest groups of Europeans to see cockatiels in their native habitat. Travellers thought they were so beautiful that they named them after the mythical creatures, the nymphs. The species name refers to New Holland, an old name for the land of Australia where they were found.
Cockatiels are native only to Australia where they are found largely in arid or semi-arid country, but always near water. Sometimes hundreds will flock around a single such body of water. They are absent from the most fertile southwest and southeast corners of the country, the deepest Western Australian deserts, and Cape York Peninsula. They are the only cockatoo species that can breed in their first year.
Cockatiels as Pets
Perhaps more popular than the Budgerigar, cockatiels are popular household pets in many parts of the world. Today all pet cockatiels are bred in captivity, as Australia no longer permits the export of native wildlife, whether endangered or not. Pet cockatiels have been bred to have many different coloration patterns. Variants include Lutino, Pearl, Cinnamon, Pied, and Whiteface.
If hand-fed as chicks, cockatiels can form strong bonds with their owners. Otherwise quiet birds will frequently make contact calls with their owners, call that sometimes can be quite loud if the person is out of sight. Their popularity as pets is in part because of their calm and timid temperament, to the point that they can even be bullied by smaller but more confident birds such as budgies.
Although cockatiels are part of the parrot order, they are better at imitating whistles than at speech. Some do learn to repeat phrases, and the males are generally better at mimicry than the females.
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