# Cockatiel (*Nymphicus hollandicus*) The Cockatiel is a small parrot with a cheerful crest on its head. They are playful and love to sing and whistle! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Grasslands and forests - **Also known as:** Nymphicus ![Cockatiel](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426060/objects/4637.jpg) ## Appearance The Cockatiel has a sleek grey body with distinctive white patches on its wings and a prominent, often bright yellow, crest on its head. Most striking are the vibrant orange cheek patches, contrasting with their generally muted body feathers and long, pointed tail. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Psittaciformes - **Family:** Psittacidae - **Genus:** Nymphicus ## Interesting facts - Cockatiels are the smallest members of the cockatoo family, making them unique little parrots! - Cockatiels can rotate their heads almost 180 degrees to keep a sharp lookout for danger! - Male Cockatiels often sing to their mates and share duties, helping incubate eggs. - Their scientific name, Nymphicus hollandicus, means 'Nymph of New Holland' — Australia! ## Special abilities - **Crest Communication:** Cockatiel has a mobile crest that helps them communicate mood, raising it when excited or lowering it when relaxed. - **Seed Cracker Beak:** Cockatiel can crack tough seeds because of their strong, hooked beak that helps them access nutritious food. - **Exceptional Hearing:** Cockatiel has keen hearing that helps them detect approaching predators and locate flock members. - **Resourceful Nomads:** Cockatiel can fly long distances to find water and food, helping them survive in unpredictable environments. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 30-33 cm - **Wingspan:** 30-45 cm - **Weight:** 0.08-0.12 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-14 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-7 - **Incubation:** 18-21 days ## Diet & Feeding Cockatiels mainly feast on seeds, but also munch on fruits and berries. - **Primary Foods:** grass seeds, acacia seeds, small fruits, berries, leaf buds - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — A large raptor that preys on adult cockatiels. - **Eaten by:** Carpet Python (*Morelia spilota*) — Snakes can ambush cockatiel chicks and eggs in nests. - **Depends on:** Spinifex Grass (*Triodia spinifex*) — Cockatiels primarily feed on its seeds in arid regions. - **Depends on:** Mulga (*Acacia aneura*) — They forage for seeds and find shelter in these trees. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Crested](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crested): Crested describes animals possessing a prominent tuft of feathers, hair, or skin on their head. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Singing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/singing): Singing animals produce complex vocalizations, often for purposes of attracting mates, defending territory, or communicating within their species. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cockatiel? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Cockatiel? 30-33 cm ### What is Cockatiel's wingspan? 30-45 cm ### How much does Cockatiel weigh? 0.08-0.12 kg ### How long does Cockatiel live? 10-14 years ### How fast can Cockatiel move? 50 km/h ### What does Cockatiel eat? Cockatiels mainly feast on seeds, but also munch on fruits and berries. ### Where is Cockatiel usually found? Grasslands and forests ## Where to spot - [Brevard Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brevard-zoo) — Florida, US · Zoo - [Tierpark Zabakuck](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tierpark-zabakuck) — Sachsen-Anhalt, DE · Zoo - [Tiergarten Eisenberg](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tiergarten-eisenberg) — Thüringen, DE · Zoo - [Affen- und Vogelpark Eckenhagen](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/affen-vogelpark-eckenhagen) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Zoo - [Sea Life Park Hawaii](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sea-life-park-hawaii) — Hawaii, US · Aquarium - [Sea Life Park Hawaii](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/sea-life-park-hawaii-hawaii) — Hawaii, US · Zoo [View all places to see Cockatiel](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cockatiel) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Cockatiel: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cockatiel)