No federal permit to keep In-depth sheet

Cockatiel

Nymphicus hollandicus

Birds › Parrots (Psittaciformes) › Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)

Cockatiels are gentle Australian parrots, domesticated since the 1840s, known for whistling and bonding closely with people.

Pet trade

Experience: Beginner

Cockatiel — Photo: Ganatron, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Ganatron, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan10–20+ years

SocialFlock bird

OriginAustralia

DietPellets + veg

Care at a glance

Species-specific values

Values researched for this exact species. Where they differ from the group guide below, follow these. Air, surface and water temperatures are listed separately, and each source is kept as published rather than averaged.

Minimum cage dimensions	length: 20 in; width: 20 in; height: 30 in Table cage minimum; exercise space additional.	316
Maximum bar spacing	0.5 in	316
Diet pellet fraction	40–50 % MSD small-pet-bird recommendation; incompatible with higher VCA recommendation, retained separately. Source does not specify dry-weight versus offered-food basis.	317
Diet pellet fraction	75–80 % VCA recommendation; retained separately from MSD. Source does not specify dry-weight versus offered-food basis.	320

Care guide

Diet

Pellets 60–80% of the diet, plus vegetables, a little sprouted seed and high-quality extras.

Sources 35

Show the group care guide for small parrots (budgies, cockatiels, parrotlets and grass parakeets)

Group care guide

Small parrots (budgies, cockatiels, parrotlets and grass parakeets)

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Australian and South American grasslands and scrub. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Housing & setup

A flight cage wider than it is tall, so they can fly side to side.
Pairs or small groups for budgies and grass parakeets; parrotlets can be territorial.

Sources 120 121 31 35 317 320

Diet

Use a balanced small-parrot diet with vegetables. Pellet proportions differ between veterinary sources; retain the source-specific recommendations and verify actual food intake during conversion.

Sources 120 121 31 35 317 320

Social life

Flock birds; budgies do best with company.

Sources 120 121 31 35 317 320

Health watch

Obesity and fatty liver on seed-heavy diets; egg binding in hens.
Cockatiels are dusty birds; good ventilation helps.

Sources 120 121 31 35 317 320

Understanding the animal

In the wild

Researched for this exact species, not its family. Good care copies these conditions.¹²³⁴

Where it lives	Native to inland mainland Australia, especially arid and semi-arid lightly wooded grasslands and open woodland. It uses river red gum, black box and coolibah woodland beside rivers, as well as partly cleared farmland, foraging on open ground and nesting in tree hollows.
Ground it lives on	Open ground with fallen grass, shrub and tree seeds; branches for communal roosting and tree hollows for nesting.
Climate	temperature f: {'winter_night': 40.1, 'summer_high': 109.4}; seasons: Their Australian habitat experiences large seasonal temperature variation. Southern populations show predictable migratory movements associated with more regular weather patterns.
Active	Diurnal; roosts communally at night. Nomadic over much of its range, with seasonal migration reported in southern populations.
Social life	Gregarious year-round, including during breeding; most flocks contain up to about 30 birds, with much larger gatherings possible. Pairs remain together throughout the year, and multiple pairs may nest in one tree.
Wild diet	Primarily seeds of grasses, shrubs and trees, with cereal grains especially favored; mostly fallen seeds, sometimes seeds taken directly from vegetation.
Behavior to plan for	Walks extensively while searching for seeds and travels in coordinated flight groups between feeding areas. Both parents incubate and feed young in tree-hollow nests.

What this means for care

Provide compatible social contact and flight space suited to its long wings and tail.
Include a clean open floor or tray for walking and seed-searching enrichment within a balanced diet.
Provide dependable drinking water; wild birds use freshwater waterholes despite their arid distribution.
Treat enclosed tree-hollow substitutes as breeding stimuli when deciding whether to provide them.

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 90°F (up to 95°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 40°F (down to 37°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	60–71°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	53–61% on average (driest month about 46%)
Rainfall	about 601 mm a year
Winters	Cool to cold winters (lows around 40°F) in much of its native range. Seasonal slowdown may be relevant, but species-specific biology determines whether brumation or hibernation occurs.

Measured at 78 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

Profile

Researched for this exact species. Sources are listed under In the wild above.

History

The species was described by J. F. Gmelin in 1788 and later placed in its own genus, Nymphicus, by Wagler in 1832. Its taxonomic relationship to parrots and cockatoos was historically debated until molecular studies supported its placement within the cockatoo family.

Keeper tips

Provide regular social interaction.
Provide toy-based enrichment.
Allow about two hours of out-of-cage time each day.
Use perches of varying diameters.
Provide UV exposure.
Arrange annual veterinary checkups and respond promptly to signs of illness or respiratory problems.

Behaviors reported

Forms large traveling flocks.
Congregates near freshwater.
Shows a sociable and playful disposition.
Uses an expressive movable crest.

Unique adaptations

The long tapered tail can spread into a fan, and its angle can be adjusted to control flight altitude and stability.
Nomadic movement allows flocks to use widely scattered inland resources.
Cockatiels nest in existing tree cavities, often in dead eucalyptus trees near water.

Remarkable facts

The cockatiel is native to mainland Australia.
It is the sole member of the genus Nymphicus.
It is the smallest member of the cockatoo family.
Wild cockatiels may experience winter nights around 40.1 F and summer heat above 109.4 F.
Nest cavities are typically located roughly one to two meters above ground.
Pet cockatiels have been selectively bred into numerous color mutations.

Stories

The genus name Nymphicus reflects the reaction of early European travelers who considered the birds so beautiful that they associated them with mythical nymphs.

From the sources

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview	The cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), 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. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it lives	Cockatiels are widely distributed through the Australian mainland, tending to prefer inland areas to coastlines. — Animal Diversity Web
Reproduction	Cockatiels are monogamous and form relationships with a mate early on. — Animal Diversity Web
History and naming	Originally described by J. F. Gmelin in an edition of Systema naturae in 1788 as Psittacus novaehollandiae, and after by Scottish writer and naturalist Robert Kerr in 1792 as Psittacus hollandicus, and finally moved to its own genus, Nymphicus, by Wagler in 1832. — Wikipedia (community-edited)

Data and studies

Researched care notes

Findings checked against veterinary, zoo, welfare, keeper and peer-reviewed sources. Air, basking-surface and water temperatures are kept separate, and where sources disagree both are shown. “Study” notes report what a paper measured, not a universal rule.

Budgerigars, Cockatiels, And Lovebirds (nutrition module, not completed species sheets)

MSD discusses a mixed formulated-food/seed strategy for these small parrots, differing from its large-parrot percentages.¹
Offered food and selected food may differ. Measure actual consumption during diet changes.¹

Cockatiel

Provide regular safe out-of-cage activity and suitable untreated wood, paper or cardboard for chewing.²
Cockatiels are particularly prone to excessive egg laying; extended light exposure, caloric excess and reproductive stimulation can contribute.³

Budgerigar, Cockatiel And Lovebirds (Shared reproductive additions)

Persistent laying can deplete calcium and lead to egg binding or other reproductive disease; it requires assessment beyond simply replacing a cuttlebone.³
For birds laying excessively, veterinary management can include reducing reproductive cues such as nest boxes, extended daylight and sexualized owner interactions.³
A weak or nonperching hen with straining or breathing difficulty may have egg binding and needs urgent veterinary attention.³

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Lifespan

Reported10–15years

Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service 3510–15

Maximum recorded lifespan

Highest reported36years

AnAge 16235

Myhrvold et al. 16336

Longest recorded lifespan reported by each database; typical lifespans are usually shorter. The AnAge record comes from an animal in human care.

Typical adult weight

Average of sources90g

AnAge 16290

Myhrvold et al. 16390

Average adult body mass in each database (FishBase gives the maximum recorded weight).

Clutch size

Reported4.5eggs

Myhrvold et al. 1634.5

Average per litter or clutch.

Incubation

Reported20days

Myhrvold et al. 16320

Female maturity

Average of sources15months

AnAge 16215

Myhrvold et al. 16315

Veterinary & husbandry research

Eye lesions in pet birds Tsai SS et al., Avian pathology: journal of the W.V.P.A 1993
Seroprevalence and genotype of Chlamydia in pet parrots in China Zhang NZ et al., Epidemiology and infection 2015
Pharmacokinetic properties of gentamicin and amikacin in the cockatiel Ramsay EC et al., Avian diseases 1993
Viral vector vaccines expressing nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein genes of avian bornaviruses ameliorate homologous challenge infections in cockatiels and common canaries Olbert M et al., Scientific reports 2016

Peer-reviewed papers that mention this species alongside captivity, zoos, veterinary care or aquaculture. Some cover several species or mention it only in passing, so check the abstract. See all 58 on PubMed → 170

Federal legal snapshot

No federal permit to keep

No federal law singles out this species for private keepers. State and local rules still apply.

State law decides most of it. Each state sets its own permits and bans for exotic, native, venomous and dangerous animals, and cities and counties can be stricter. Find your state agency →

Animal Welfare Act standards

Birds (Subpart G). Applies to USDA-licensed or registered dealers, exhibitors (including encounters and paid programs) and research facilities. Private pet owners are not covered. These are legal minimums, not best care; the species care on this page goes further.

Indoor air temperature, humidity and any pool or water-feature temperature must suit the species and prevent discomfort or distress. §3.151
Birds may not be housed outdoors unless acclimated to the local temperature and humidity. §3.152
Enclosures must let birds stay dry and clean, give shade for every bird at once (including low-ranking ones), and have floors and perches that protect feet and legs. §3.153
A species-appropriate environment enhancement plan is required, approved by the attending veterinarian: social grouping plus enrichment such as perches, swings, objects to manipulate, varied food and foraging or task-oriented feeding. §3.154
Socially dependent birds, such as clutch-mates, must be housed together unless the veterinarian exempts them; birds may only share space with compatible animals. §3.160
The diet must suit the species, size, age and condition of the bird, with potable water in sufficient quantity; pools and water features must be kept clean. §3.155

Source: 9 CFR Part 3, current eCFR text (USDA APHIS Animal Care).

Kept in captivity?

Every species on this site needs evidence that people actually keep it. For this one:

Included in our hand-checked list of animals kept as pets, livestock or in zoos
AnAge has a longevity record from an animal in captivity
Reviewed by Clint's Reptiles
Covered by one of our in-depth care sheets
4112 iNaturalist observations of captive animals

Clint's Reptiles review

Clint Laidlaw reviews this animal in his "The Best Pet?" series: Cockatiel, The Best Pet Dinosaur?. He scores handleability, care, hardiness, availability and upfront cost, and explains the reasons behind each score.

Watch Clint's review →

Sources for this sheet

Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service: Cockatiel care Zoo, university or veterinaryVet-school exotics hospital factsheet, reviewed 2021–2024.
AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources) Peer-reviewed researchCurated, referenced longevity and life-history records for thousands of species; maximum lifespans are often from zoo animals.
Myhrvold et al. (2015). An amniote life-history database. Ecology 96: 3109 Peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed compilation of life-history data for over 21,000 birds, mammals and reptiles.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Management of pet birds Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Merck Veterinary Manual: Nutritional diseases of pet birds Zoo, university or veterinaryThe Merck Veterinary Manual: a standard veterinary reference written and reviewed by veterinary specialists.
Royal Veterinary College Exotics Service: Budgie care Zoo, university or veterinaryVet-school exotics hospital factsheet, reviewed 2021–2024.
MSD Veterinary Manual — Management of Pet Birds Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
VCA Animal Hospitals — Feeding Pet Cockatiels Zoo, university or veterinaryAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
Clint's Reptiles (YouTube): Cockatiel, The Best Pet Dinosaur? Expert educator & keeperClint Laidlaw, PhD in Biology Education and MS in Evolutionary Ecology; owner of Clint's Reptile Room and a longtime keeper. His "Best Pet?" series reviews each species' care in depth.
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) Peer-reviewed researchInternational scientific taxonomy used here for classification.
Species+ (UNEP-WCMC and the CITES Secretariat) Zoo, university or veterinaryThe official database of species listed under CITES.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Peer-reviewed researchIndex of peer-reviewed veterinary, zoo and husbandry research.
iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.