Grey Cockatiel

Cockatiel   Nymphicus hollandicus   L 12-13″

Native to Australia, they are very popular as house hold pets. They have a “sweet” temperament, highly intelligent & very friendly socialable birds. They are capable of human speech but prefer imitating whistles. Their call is a loud kii kii and their songs range greatly consisting of a great variety of musical whistles & lively chirps (a very happy song). Their lifespan is average 15-20 yrs although there have been known to live 30yrs given proper diet, exercise & environment.

All cockateils are from the same family Nymphicus hollandicus. The “Normal Grey,” or “Wild-type” cockatiel’s plumage is primarily grey with prominent white flashes on the outer edges of each wing & yellow face with blushing red cheeks. There are many “mutations” of plumage that are un-natural, the only natural plumage is the “normal grey”. The only member of the genus Nymphicus, the Cockatiel has previously been considered a crested parrot or small cockatoo. However, more recent molecular studies have settled the debate, showing their closest relatives to be the black cockatoos of the genus Calyptorhynchus. They are hence now classified as the smallest of the Cacatuidae (cockatoo family).

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