Cockatiel
Nymphicus hollandicus
The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is a uncommon cockatoo found in 56 countries, weighing about 95 g. The cockatiel, also known as the weero/weiro or quarrion, is a species of small- to medium-sized parrot belonging to the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae), of which it is the smallest member.
About the Cockatiel
The cockatiel, also known as the weero/weiro or quarrion, is a species of small- to medium-sized parrot belonging to the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae), of which it is the smallest member. Native to Australia, it is the sole member of the genus Nymphicus.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The cockatiel's distinctive crest expresses the animal's emotional state. The crest is dramatically vertical when the cockatiel is startled or excited, gently oblique in its neutral or relaxed state, and flattened close to the head when the animal is angry or defensive. The crest is also held flat but protrudes outward in the back when the cockatiel is trying to appear alluring or flirtatious. When the cockatiel is tired, the crest is seen positioned halfway upwards, with the tip of the crest usually curling upward.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil, New Zealand, Taiwan, Argentina, Netherlands, India, Colombia, Norway, Morocco, Costa Rica, Türkiye, Egypt, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Kuwait, Denmark, Martinique, Malaysia, Switzerland, Croatia.
When to see it
Best months: January, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, with peak activity in October. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Cockatiel?
- The cockatiel's distinctive crest expresses the animal's emotional state. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Cockatiel?
- The Cockatiel is a medium sized bird weighing about 95 g.
- Where can you see a Cockatiel?
- The Cockatiel occurs in 56 countries, including Australia, France, Spain, Portugal and Germany.
- What birds look similar to a Cockatiel?
- The Cockatiel is most easily confused with the Gang-gang Cockatoo, the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo and the Glossy Black Cockatoo.
- Is the Cockatiel endangered?
- The Cockatiel is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Cockatiel for real
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