Cockatiel

toc //Nymphicus hollandicus // Order: Psittaciformes
 * __Husbandry Information__ **

Diet Requirements

 * In the wild, the diet consists of grains, fruits, berries, seedling grasses, and seeds.
 * In captivity, cockatiels are fed a pellet mix.
 * Cockatiels forage on the ground.

Notes on Enrichment & Training


=__Programmatic Information__=

Potential Messaging


=__Acquisition Information__=

= __Comments from the Rating System__ =
 * Philadelphia Zoo: easy to handle if they are properly trained to perch on cue; they are not intimidating for novice handlers, but not very impressive to an audience.

=__Natural History Information__=

Range and Habitat
Cockatiels are found throughout Australia, except in Tasmania. They are more populous in the eastern regions and the drier inlands, away from coastal areas. Preferred habitats are found near rivers, streams, and creeks. Cockatiels like to roost on dead tree branches.

Physical Description
Wild cockatiels are gray in color, but genetic mutations and selective breeding in captive populations have produced eight color varieties: pied, pearl, cinnamon, fallow, silver, lutino, whiteface, and albino. Female cockatiels usually have duller facial markings, and the undersides of their tales are barred. The average length is 11 to 13 inches, and the average weight is 2.5 to 4.3 ounces.

Life Cycle
 Nests are built in hollow trees near fresh water. Usually, cockatiels will choose hollow eucalyptus trees. 4 to 6 eggs are laid per clutch, and the eggs are incubated for 23 days. Both sexes share brooding responsibilities.  Sexual maturity is reached at 1 year of age for males, and 2 years of age for females. Lifespan in the wild is about 10 to 13 years, but cockatiels can live 10 to 30 years in captivity.

Behavior
In the wild, cockatiels live in large social groups of 12 to 100 individuals. They are sometimes considered pests by farmers because the larger flocks can devour entire fields of crops. In captivity, they are often kept alone so that they bond with their human companions. They are very popular as pets due to their gentle, intelligent, and bright personality.

Threats and Conservation Status
Cockatiels are quite common in their native region and have no special conservation status. Common predators include snakes, birds of prey, crows, and humans. Humans kill the birds for their feathers, and sometimes also for food.

=__Did you know…__=
 * Cockatiels have been kept as pets for hundreds of years.

=__Photographs__=

=__Contributors and Citations__=
 * The Philadelphia Zoo