Cockatiel behavior

The Cockatiel is one of the best known and most loved of all the parrot family. They are cheerful, friendly, and easy to train; making them one of the most popular pet birds throughout the world.

The Cockatiel is perhaps best loved for its wonderful disposition, intelligence and bright personality. They are much smaller (12.5 inches [32cm] at maturity) than a lot of the other parrots, making them much easier to care for. Another wonderful thing about Cockatiels is they are relatively quiet compared to their larger cousins: Macaws, Amazons and African Grey Parrots. They are also much more resistant to viral diseases than their larger relatives. In addition, some cockatiels have even learned to speak a couple words! While speaking is not the norm for cockatiels many have been known to whistle long, complex songs. One of the most notable physical attributes of the Cockatiel is his beautiful crest. The ideal height of the crest is three inches. Cockatiels are available for purchase readily and can be seen in many different color variations. Some of the most common variations are: