Habitat
arid and semi-arid open country near
water, such as savannas, woodlands, grasslands and cultivated grain
fields |
Size: up
to 13 inches (33 cm) in length and weighs between 2.8-3.5 ounces
(80-100 g) |
Life
Span
averages 10 - 20 years, with exceptions of up
to 25 years |
Diet: eats a wide
variety of grains and seeds on ground or stalks; also eats
fruits, nuts and berries
|
Description: N. hollandicus have
long, tipped wings and a pointed tail. A cockatiel’s crest
is long and pointed as well. Males have a yellow face, forehead,
throat and crest, while the tail is dark gray. Females have duller
coloration on these body parts, with a yellowish-gray face, forehead,
throat and crest. In contrast to the male, the female’s tail
is gray with yellow laterals barred with gray. Both sexes have gray
plumage with large white wing patches and orange cheek patches. Their
legs are gray.
Cockatiels are quite different
from other cockatoos in the family Cacatuidae. Cockatiels are much
smaller, slimmer in body, sexually dimorphic and sexually mature
sooner (within a year).
Status: abundant; not threatened
|
Interesting Facts
- All Cacatuidae share a moveable crest, limited
color palette (compared to most parrots), specialized artery
system, and have downy hatchlings!
- Cockatiels enter nest holes backwards or
tail-first, perhaps due to their very long tails!
- These birds are also called the weero or
crested parrot!
|
* Woodland
Park Zoo identifies an animal or plant endangered if it is listed
as endangered (in any part of its range) on the federal list of Endangered
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, or if it is listed on Appendix
I to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
(CITES).
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