Cockatiel
Nymphicus hollandicus
- Family
- Cockatoos (Cacatuidae)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
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.
Cockatiels are widely recognized for their expressive crests, long tail feathers, and sociable, playful nature, and their strong affinity for human interaction has made them among the most commonly kept companion parrots worldwide and one of the five most popular pet bird species; an estimated 4.8 million US households keep them. However, insufficient knowledge of their care contributes to one of the highest surrender rates among pet bird species.
Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Range and habitat
Australia (except Cape York Peninsula, coastal southeastern and southwestern Australia, and Tasmania).
Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.
Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Cockatiel
- eBird: sightings, maps and photos
- xeno-canto: sound recordings
- Birds of the World: full species account (subscription)
- BirdLife DataZone: status and threats
- IUCN Red List (threat status)
- AviList global checklist (taxonomy)
Last updated September 29, 2026.