The smallest of the Cockatoo family, the Cockatiel is distinguished by its prominent yellow head crest. Though they are normally grey with a splash of orange on the cheeks and a touch of white on the wings, Cockatiels have been bred over the years to produce various color mutations such as lutino, cinnamon, silver, whiteface, pearl, pastelface, or olive.

The Cockatiels are known for their sweet disposition. Because they are very social and often not aggressive, Cockatiels make a great choice for families with young children. That said, even though these birds are fairly docile, they can be somewhat timid and may scare easily, so try to keep loud noises or raucous behavior to a minimum. Also, because the Cockatiels aren't very combative, they often won't defend themselves, so it's important to be careful if you plan on keeping them with other birds or pets in the house.

Because the Cockatiel is a bit shy and will attach itself to known people, you should make sure they become familiar and comfortable with all family members. Cockatiels will form strong bonds with their owners, and will often call for them with specific sounds or chirps. Though they can imitate speech, Cockatiels are much better at mimicking whistles or bell-like sounds. They've even been known to bark back at dogs!

The Cockatiel is very active and requires a large cage for its size. Try to provide as much space as possible and out-of-the-cage time every single day. This is important for the bird's mental health and physical well-being.

Variety in a Cockatiel's diet is essential. Seeds should be supplemented with fruits, vegetables, pellets and protein. Remember, never feed a parrot avocado.

Also known as a Quarrion or Weero, the Cockatiel is a type of Cockatoo native to Australia. It is one of the most popular pet bird species and is part of the parrot order.

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