Cockatiel Facts & Worksheets

Cockatiels are small yet fascinating parrots native to Australia, where they are commonly called quarrion or weiro bird. They can also become great pets because they are smart, interactive, cute, gentle, and affectionate birds.

See the fact file below for more information on the Cockatiel, or you can download our 30-page Cockatiel worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ANATOMY

• Cockatiels are relatively small birds whose body length ranges from 30 to 35 centimeters.
• The weight of an adult cockatiel ranges between 70 to 120 grams when they are an adult.
• One of the main reasons why cockatiels are admired is due to their bright-colored feathers, where the face of the male is colored yellow or white while females usually have gray or lighter than gray.
• Both sexes have a distinct circular orange region in their ears and a spikey structure on their head. 
• Unlike most cockatoos, the cockatiel has prolonged tail feathers that compose almost half its total length. 
• Cockatiels have a distinctive crest that depicts the bird’s emotional status wherein it is vertical when the bird is excited, oblique if it is relaxed, and flattened close to the head if it is aggressive. 

CHARACTERISTICS

• Cockatiels are related to the cockatoo family, which is endemic to the Islands of Australia. 
• During early times, the birds caused confusion as to whether they were crested parakeets or cockatoos. Recent studies clearly distinguish that cockatiels are closely related to cockatoos and are identified as the smallest in the family. 
• These small cockatoos were valued as household pets and are known to be easy-to-breed caged birds. 
• The pigments melanin and psittacofulvin are responsible for the color of cockatiels. Melanin provides the gray in the feathers, eyes, beak, and feet, while psitacofulvins are responsible for the yellow color of the feathers.
• The birds are also vocal and can resound with particular melodies and even synchronize their sounds to those that humans make.
• Just like common parrots, cockatiels can utter and speak many words and phrases depending on how much they are exposed to a conversation or how much they have been trained. 
• Aside from phrases and words, cockatiels can imitate distinct sounds and noises around them, such as barking dogs, ambulance sirens, and many more. 
• Male cockatiels can produce continuous whistles and speak more words, while females are known to be quieter.
• Female cockatiels tend to be closer to humans or their owners, while males are more attention-seeking. 
• Cockatiels are considered the most widely-kept type of bird, and with proper training, they can learn to know their names. 

TAXONOMIC CLASSIFICATION

HABITAT

• Cockatiels are native to Australia but live close to bodies of water.
• They are usually found in pairs or small flocks around a single area near the water. 
• Cockatiel nests can be found in hollow parts of trees and never near the ground, which is one of their defense mechanisms against potential threats to their young.
• Cockatiels usually spend their time with their partners or their flock sitting and chirping on the branches of trees. 

DIET

• Cockatiels are ground feeders which usually eat plants and other vegetation. They usually eat acacia, wheat, sunflower seeds, berries, sprouting seeds, and legumes. 
• However, due to their number, sometimes they bring dismay to farmers when they consume agricultural plants and crops.
• Due to the high demand for pets, cockatiels are also found in captivity and caged. With this, they are usually less skilled in getting food but are more talented as they are trained better by humans. In this case, pet cockatiels consume mostly combinations of bird feed, fruits and berries, and dried seeds. 

LIFESPAN

• Cockatiels found in their natural environment are expected to enjoy their lives for an average of 10 to 15 years which is relatively long compared to their relatives.
• Meanwhile, for pet and tamed cockatiels, records provide evidence that if they are well taken care of and well-fed with a nutritious diet, their average lifespan can range between 20 to 25 years. 
• The oldest known cockatiel in captivity is 36 years old. 

PREDATORS

• With the small size of cockatiels, they are usually preyed on by larger birds such as eagles and hawks.
• They might be caught by larger birds when they are sitting on trees and not usually while flying since they are considered to be the fastest flyers in Australia. 
• They can also be prey to reptiles such as iguanas and arboreal snakes, which can target their nest, including their young.
• Humans may also pose a threat to the number of cockatiels. Poaching is one of the human activities which causes a negative impact on the cockatiel population. 
• Though most cockatiels in captivity are already the result of breeding, there are still cases of poaching cockatiels reported. 

BREEDING

• Cockatiel breeding is usually prompted by the rainy season when they build their nests high in hollow trees, typically near bodies of water. 
• Female cockatiels lay their eggs within one to two weeks after mating. A female cockatiel can lay between 4 to 7 eggs (one every other day). The hen will then incubate her eggs for 17 to 23 days. After five weeks, the young cockatiels are able to leave the nest and live on their own. 
• Breeders usually observe the same pattern of breeding. However, they can control the number of clutches that their cockatiels can have. 
• Most breeders allow their birds to clutch twice a year. Males are separated from females because the birds will start laying a new clutch of eggs, even if they still have chicks in their nests. 

CONSERVATION

• Based on the report of the IUCN or the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the population trend of cockatiels tends to be stable. 
• Though the exact population is not quantified, it is believed that their population does not approach the threshold for vulnerability. For this reason, cockatiels are species identified and evaluated to be of Least Concern (LC).

COMMON TYPES

• There are various types of cockatiels, but only 9 are considered common and with a massive population. 
• Gray cockatiels are considered normal since they do not display any pigment gene mutations.
• Yellow-Face cockatiels have yellow patches on their cheeks instead of orange.
• Whiteface cockatiels do not have yellow or orange markings on their cheeks. 
• Pearl cockatiels have different spots on their wings, bodies, and heads. These spots are referred to as pearls, hence their name.
• Silver cockatiels carry multiple gene mutations that cause random white patches in their gray feathers. 
• Cockatiels or cinnamon cockatiels have distinct yellowish-brown feathers that look dull. 
• Pied cockatiels have random white patches on their bodies in some parts where there is no pigmentation. 
• Lutino cockatiels do not have melanin, meaning they have no gray color. 
• Blue cockatiels are white, but they have black markings on their feathers. 
• Fallow cockatiels have a color mutation, which is evident by their red eyes. 

Cockatiel Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Cockatiel across 30 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Cockatiel, a species of parrot native to Australia, known for their cheerful personalities and attractive appearance. They are small to medium-sized parrots with a distinctive crest of feathers on their heads, and they come in a variety of colors, including gray, yellow, orange, and white. Cockatiels are popular pets due to their ease of care and affectionate nature.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

• Cockatiel Facts
• Word Twist
• Colorful Cockatiel
• It’s Time to Eat
• Home Sweet Home
• CockaTell Me
• Detective Cockatiel
• It’s Breeding Time
• Crack a Wordle
• Cockatiel Who?
• Cockatiel Origami

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural habitat of cockatiels?

Cockatiels are native to Australia and live in open woodlands, scrublands, and arid grasslands. In their natural habitat, they can often be found perching on tree branches, foraging for food, or flying short distances.

How big do cockatiels get?

Cockatiels are relatively small parrots, typically growing to be around 12-14 inches in length, with a wingspan of up to 18 inches. They weigh between 80 and 120 grams on average.

What do cockatiels eat?

In the wild, cockatiels feed on various seeds, grains, fruits, and vegetables. As pets, they can be fed a specially formulated birdseed mix supplemented with fresh fruits and vegetables. It’s essential to provide them with a balanced and nutritious diet to keep them healthy.

What kind of personality do cockatiels have?

Cockatiels are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. They are social birds that enjoy interacting with their owners and can be trained to perform a variety of tricks and even mimic human speech. They are also playful and energetic and can make great companions for those who can provide them with the attention and care they need.

What are some common health problems that cockatiels can face?

Like all pet birds, cockatiels are susceptible to various health problems, including respiratory infections, feather picking, and malnutrition. It’s essential to provide them with a healthy diet, proper living conditions, and regular veterinary check-ups to help prevent these issues. Additionally, they can be prone to feather plucking if they are stressed or not getting enough attention, so it’s important to provide them with a stimulating environment and plenty of interaction with their owners.

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