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SPECIES
DESCRIPTION |
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 | | Photo By Penny Gambrell |
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Genus: Nymphicus
Species: hollandicus
Native Continent: Australia, generally the interior
Probable lifespan: 18 to 25 years
Personality: Comical and engaging, they develop distinct personalities and strong bonds with their people. Enjoy lots of exercise and spray baths (although may have to get used to them). Tame cockatiels are ideal for first-time bird owners, responsible children and families.
Housing: A 16- by 16- by 24-inch cage
Behavior issues: Cockatiels are prone to night frights, in which they thrash about their cage. This can lead to injury, so place a night light near the cage.
Medical issues: Can become obese if inactive. They have also been know to develop bacterial infections, yeast infections, fatty livers and inbred kidney disease.
Unusual characteristics: There is just one genus and one species of cockatiel. However, cockatiels are now bred in many different colors and patters, which are called “mutations.” The wild cockatiel is a mostly grey bird with a yellow crest. It is called a normal grey (grey is spelled with the English and Australia spelling). Two common mutations are the lutino (white and yellow) and the pied (white, yellow and gray). Cockatiels have crests that are raised and lowered depending on their emotions. They also hiss when they are scared, putting their wings out and heads down in a defensive position. They also sometimes hang upside down like a bat and flap their wings.
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