As a caged bird, which is second in popularity after the budgerigar?

The cockatiel ('Nymphicus hollandicus'), also known as miniature cockatoo, weero, or quarrion, is a bird that is a member of its own branch of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia. They are prized as household pets and companion parrots throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed. As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the budgerigar. Both sassy and sweet birds.

The cockatiel is the only member of the genus Nymphicus. It was previously considered a crested parrot or small cockatoo; however, more recent molecular studies have assigned it to its own subfamily, 'Nymphicinae'. It is, therefore, now classified as the smallest of the 'Cacatuidae' (cockatoo family). Cockatiels are native to Australia and favour the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bushlands.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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28 Comments

Kathryn Cavanagh

Hate seeing birds in cages. I prefer the way I do it, big bird bath in back garden, with a brick in the middle. Have a wonderful entourage of birds of all shapes, shades and sizes visit it for drinking and bathing in on a daily basis. My entertainment every morning, just seeing which ones are in today..!! LOVE them all..

Margaret O'Neill

It is a cruel thing to keep a bird in such a small cage! They should be free to fly where they want to!

Mary Wilson

I have a cockatiel that was an escapee that landed on my deck. I could not find his owner so I have now had him for 10 years He was born as a caged bird and would never survive in the wild. He comes out of his cage during the day to fly around the house. He eats meals with me, showers with me and sits on my chest for a cuddle. He is bonded only to me but he does love to chew soft wood. He is a recognized hybrid yellow colour not the natural grey one in flocks in the wild.

SeasonedAngel

Have had several cockatiels. Although they had a cage, after they were tamed, they were allowed to go in & out of cage at will, unless, of course, there was a safety reason to lock their door. They all learned to talk. Also had a Visla, Majesty, who was best friends with Poppy, a cockatiel. ;-)

Eve Bengert

My husband gifted me 2 canaries years ago. Little did he know how I couldn't stand to leave them in a cage. They flew all over the house. Messing everywhere.

Noela Logan

I had an aviary of, and Cockatiels, years ago. They were and are wonderful birds and natural comediennes, and when tame great pets.

Gail Nemetz

One of my favorite pets ever was my parakeet Pluto. He had free reign in my apartment. He even helped me make the bed. He would pull the sheets up for me!

Jetty Newnham

Lawrence Rustem, you are right. I don't believe any animal should be in a cage.

Susan Lake-Harris

My husband and I made a bird feeder, and we ensured it was big enough for the beautiful parrots that live in our area. My daily visitors (who take turns, rather than share the 4 branches and platform), are lorikeets, king parrots (small numbers because of habitat loss these days), crimson rosellas, and eastern rosellas. Our local crested pigeons also share the food. I am shown a wonderful display from early morning until about 10 am, then back for later, afternoon feeding from 4 to 6 pm-ish depending on the time of year. Unfortunately, I'm not a bird whisperer like my mother was, but I do my best.