Cockatiel

Cockatiel
A male cockatiel.
A female cockatiel.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Subfamily: Nymphicinae
Genus: Nymphicus
Wagler, 1832
Species:
N. hollandicus
Binomial name
Nymphicus hollandicus
(Kerr, 1792)
Red: all-year resident
Synonyms

Psittacus hollandicus Kerr, 1792
Leptolophus hollandicus

Cockatiel calling
Recording of a cockatiel

The cockatiel (⫽ˌkɒkəˈtiːl⫽;[2] Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the weero/weiro[3][4] or quarrion,[5][6] is a medium-sized[7] parrot that is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia. They are prized as household pets and companion parrots throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed compared to other parrots. As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the budgerigar.[8]

The cockatiel is the only member of the genus Nymphicus. It was previously unclear whether the cockatiel is a crested parakeet or small cockatoo; however, more recent molecular studies have assigned it to its own subfamily, Nymphicinae. It is, therefore, now classified as the smallest subfamily of the Cacatuidae (cockatoo family). Cockatiels are native to Australia, favouring the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bushlands.

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2018). "Nymphicus hollandicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T22684828A132056250. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22684828A132056250.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "cockatiel". Collins English Dictionary (13th ed.). HarperCollins. 2018. ISBN 978-0-008-28437-4.
  3. ^ Australia, HarperCollins Publishers (1985). Australia's Amazing Wildlife. Bay Books. ISBN 978-0-85835-830-0.
  4. ^ Gray, Jeannie; Fraser, Ian (2013-05-15). Australian Bird Names: A Complete Guide. Csiro Publishing. ISBN 978-0-643-10470-9.
  5. ^ Esser, A. (2012-12-06). Behavior and Environment: The Use of Space by Animals and Men. Springer Science & Business Media. ISBN 978-1-4684-1893-4.
  6. ^ Pizzey, G.; Doyle, R. (1980). A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Sydney: Collins Publishers. p. 177. ISBN 073222436-5.
  7. ^ "8 Best Medium-Sized Pet Bird Species". The Spruce Pets. Retrieved 2022-06-03.
  8. ^ "Factsheets:Cockatiel". Australian Museum. Archived from the original on 2011-06-13. Retrieved 2008-08-30.