Country of origin: Australia.

Size: Small and slender with long tail. Almost twice the size of a budgie at 12.5 inches long but only 90 grams (a little over three ounces).

Personality: Even-tempered, affectionate, inquisitive but not an acrobatic parrot like some. Crest stands erect when alarmed or interested. Unlike many parrots, which become nippy or difficult to handle as they get older, tamed cockatiels remain mellow, making them an excellent choice for children. The Britney Spears of parrots, cockatiels possess cheerful, musical voices; however, they can scream shrilly for attention. Must be protected from larger or more aggressive parrots.

Talking ability: Poor to moderate.

Listen:
Cockatiel singing.
(Thanks to Angelique Wittenaar and Peter Bosboom.)

Average lifespan: 30 years.

Average lifespan: 15-20, up to 30 years.

Additional reading:

• The American Cockatiel Society
• National Cockatiel Society
• North American Cockatiel Society

What owners say:

HERE'S MY DAY WITH 10 COCKATIELS: Jazzy, Alayla, Spencer, Meeka, Zonee, Kasiaha, Alijha, Benny, Ceephee, and Wizzey. Jazzy flies over to my pillow at 6 a.m., whistling at me. When he sees I'm awake, he flies back to his cage and waits by his food and water bowl. Everyone else follows Jazzy's example. I serve breakfast, and at 9 a.m. they all go to their outside aviary and play in the sun. It's 20 feet by 17 feet and has a pool, waterfall, a banana tree and lots of vegetable growth plus seeds scattered on the floor. At noon they come when called to their carrier and we all go back inside. Around 3, the hottest part of the day, we all take a shower with the heads set to mist. I blow dry them until they're only damp and they go back outside to dry and nap. Back inside at 4 for a pineapple treat then at 7, their evening meal of bell peppers, soy beans, dried soy bean nuts, mashed potatoes, oatmeal, pellets, millet spray and some love and affection from me! Before bed I quickly inspect everyone for any cuts or other health problems, then I cover half the cage with a blanket to keep out the drafts, change their water, and leave on a night light. Then off to sleep I go, ready to start all over again the next day. Birds are hard work, but it's worth it! --Katteetrixy@aol.com

MY NEWEST BIRD to date came in a box from a birding friend who said this bird was a nasty one that bites. I am a falconer who works with several raptors daily and when my husband looked at this bird he said it was hand fed and wondered why it got a bad record. I took this bird out and it hopped to the finger, did a long flight around the room and perched back on my finger. I have to say it's the best bird to train so far! This bird has not bitten anyone in the family and is happy to interact with us all (a family of seven). I now am trying to learn more about cockatiels. Happy with a Tweety! -- Carol Newby, Alabama

HOW CAN I tell you how much I love my pearl female Sooshee? She chose me the first day she was at the pet shop (I had been waiting for the babies to be available for sale) by leaping onto my shirt when the cage was opened. That was it. Love at first sight. We spend hours cuddling on the couch and I am so well trained! Loves her head scratched and can't get enough of it. She's an only pet and is spoiled rotten!--Barbara from Burbank

MY BIRD RAIDER isn't such a nice bird unless you have his mirror or his food. He loves women. He is grey and white and loves to look at himself. He is the best singing cockatiel that I have personally heard. He is about 4 years old and he looks like he is really buff. He can also be extremely loud at times. But all in all, I love him to death and would not trade him for the world. --DCrider916@aol.com

CHIPPER (named after Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves) is two years old and very affectionate, with his own little personality. He loves to be rubbed on his head and scratched around his neck, but touching his wings and tail is a definite no-no. He says about eight or ten things and can whistle "Windchester Cathedral" when he wants to and does a great wolf whistle. But he loves to watch Teletubbies and Sesame Street - I think he's in love with Po! --Marilyn Harnage, mlhtn@earthlink.net

BINKY, my lutino cockatiel still under one year, loves to be scratched on the head and under the wings - but NOT on the tail (serious crime)!!! He loves shredding paper so keeping important work away is a must. He flies loose around my room all day with my other cockatiel and is obssessed with my conure who definitely isn't obssessed with him - he finds him annoying. He only goes to the loo in his cage (he trained himself). He is such a sweet and gorgeous bird and I think cockatiels make better and easier pets than the larger parrots - but still with loads of personality. He does adore attention but also knows how to entertain himself. His favourite thing is be sprayed at bathtime, when he opens his wings full and leans forward making the weirdest noises! Then he loves to be dried with a hairdryer. He can mimic any noise he hears and likes to quietly chatter away to my other birds all day. --Robert Lloyd, lloyds@greenacre777.freeserve.co.uk

SHE NEEDS a lot of attention and is eating any paper she can find. Although she is very cute she will not go on my hand any more; all she wants me to do nowadays is scratch her head and if you are scratching it wrong she will peck you. But she can be very funny at times and cute. I love her! --Josh Melfi, jmelfi@execulink.com

SUNNI THE LUTINO cockatiel lives with us in Cherry Hill, N.J. Her name gives you a window to her personality. She is only 5 months old but very bright. She was the youngest 'tiel at the bird shop so we waited and visited her almost daily until she was fully weaned and could come home. She adapted very quickly to being the only feathered member of the house. She greets us every morning with her chirps and settles down every night with a few good night nuzzles. She is still learning to play with toys and try new foods--she prefers to eat while we hold her food in our fingers and has discovered a bath is not such a bad thing if "mom" is also in the shower. Sunni is loving and will always be loved. --Deena Weise, njhuskies@prodigy.net

WHEN RESEARCHING good birds for beginners like me, all the sources talked about how "docile," and "even-tempered" cockatiels are. At first I thought those were nice ways of saying "boring"--but I was so wrong! My 'tiel Dil is certainly docile and easy to be with, but also playful, curious, lively, and incredibly responsive to people and his environment. Don't let anyone tell you that the only "real" parrots are birds like cockatoos, macaws, greys, and Amazons. Dil is plenty full of personality and charm, without some of the worries that you can have with the larger birds. And yes, on rare occasions he'll drive me crazy--which I think is proof that he's a "real" parrot! --Jane and Dil Mitchell, Maywood, NJ

What's life like with your cockatiel? Share your experiences with other ParrotChronicles.com readers!

BACK TO TOP