how long do cockatiel birds live

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Breeding and life span edit

Breeding is triggered by seasonal rainfall. Cockatiels typically select eucalyptus or gum trees to nest in tree hollows close to a freshwater source. The hen incubates her 4–7 eggs for 17–23 days, laying one egg every other day. The chicks fledge after 5 weeks. The only species of cockatoo that can reproduce by the end of their first year is the cockatiel.

Cockatiels have an average life span of 12 to 15 years[18], however they can live up to 25 years in captivity if given proper living conditions. [19] It is said that the oldest cockatiel specimen that is still alive and verified is 36 years old. [20].

  • Egg, Collection Museum Wiesbaden
  • One-day-old cockatiel chick
  • Young fledged cockatiel
  • 4.5-year-old male cockatiel
  • Three juvenile galatiels (N. hollandicus x E. roseicapilla), a hybrid between a cockatiel and a galah .

Taxonomy and etymology edit

The cockatiel, also known as the cockateel, was first identified as Psittacus hollandicus by Scottish author and naturalist Robert Kerr in 1793. Wagler, however, placed it in its own genus, Nymphicus, in 1832. [9] The genus name refers to the observation made by one of the first groups of European explorers upon seeing the birds in their natural habitat; the travelers were so taken with the birds that they named them after legendary nymphs. The specific name hollandicus alludes to Australia’s historical name, New Holland.

Its biological relationships were long disputed; currently, it is assigned to the monotypic subfamily Nymphicinae, although it was formerly occasionally included in the Platycercinae, which is the family of broad-tailed parrots. This issue was settled with molecular studies. Its closer kinship with cockatoos than with other parrots was indicated by a 1984 study of protein allozymes, and data from the mitochondrial 12S rRNA sequence[11] places it in the Calyptorhynchinae (dark cockatoos) subfamily. The distinctive morphological trait of the parakeet, or long-tailed parrot, results from the species’ declining size and corresponding shift in its ecological niche.

Conversely, the nuclear ?-fibrinogen gene’s intron 7 sequence analysis suggests that the genus should still be recognized as Nymphicinae rather than being included in the Calyptorhynchinae because it may still be sufficiently distinct. [12].

The erectile crest, gallbladder, powder down, suppressed cloudy layer (which prevents the display of blue and green structural colors), and facial feathers covering the sides of the beak—all of which are uncommonly found outside the family Cacatuidae—allow the cockatiel to be biologically classified as a true member of the Cacatuidae family. The existence of at least one recorded instance of a successful hybrid between a cockatiel and a galah, another cockatoo species, lends additional credence to this biological relationship with other cockatoos. [13].

Description edit

The cockatiels distinctive crest expresses the animals emotional state. When the cockatiel is calm or neutral, its crest is gently oblique; when it is agitated or defensive, it is flattened near to the head. The crest is dramatically vertical when the animal is startled or excited. Moreover, the crest is held flat, but when the cockatiel tries to look seductive or flirtatious, it sticks out the back. The crest is visible halfway up when the cockatiel is fatigued, with the tip of the crest typically curling upward. [14] The cockatiel has long tail feathers that make up approximately half of its overall length, unlike most other cockatoos. The cockatiel is the smallest of the cockatoos, which are typically larger at between 30 and 60 cm (12 and 24 in), measuring 30 to 33 cm (12 to 13 in). 1927.

The plumage of cockatiels classified as “normal grey” or “wild-type” is mainly grey, with noticeable white flashes on the outer edges of each wing. Male faces are yellow or white, female faces are mostly grey or light grey, and both sexes have an oval orange patch on each ear that is commonly called “cheddar cheeks.” In adult males, this orange coloring is typically quite vibrant, but in females, it is frequently quite muted. Visual sexing is frequently achievable with this particular bird variety.

FAQ

How long do cockatiels live in a house?

The cockatiel’s average life span is 12 to 15 years, though in captivity and under appropriate living conditions, a cockatiel could be expected to live from 16 to 25 years.

Do cockatiels miss you?

No, your cockatiel will not forget you. You are a part of her family flock.

Is it OK to leave a cockatiel alone?

Being left alone is far from ideal, but it’s virtually impossible to get around things like school and work. Your bird will be stressed, and you can’t help that, but 7 or 8 hours isn’t too much to worry about as long as you spend lots of time with the bird when you get back.