This social aspect is an important factor in their personality, and they need constant company from their family or another bird, as they can swiftly become depressed otherwise. They are great for beginner bird enthusiasts and are highly social animals that are a breeze to look after. Image Credit: Pixabay Personality / CharacterĪnother reason for the Cockatiel’s popularity as pets is there is their friendly and easy-going temperament. Cockatiels are easy to breed, and it is illegal to take one from the wild, and this has caused a close relationship with humans that makes for an exceedingly adaptable companion. This comes as no surprise, as they are beautiful, intelligent, and affectionate birds that have been domesticated for decades. However, if you have the time and dedication needed, they can make a wonderful companion that will form a lifelong bond with you.Ĭockatiels are one of the most popular pet birds in the United States and indeed, the world. These birds need a great deal of attention and interaction, and as such, they are not a good choice for owners who are away from home frequently. With this long-life span and intense bond comes a ton of responsibility, and bringing home a Cockatiel as a pet is a decision that should not be taken lightly. SuitabilityĬockatiels make wonderful, long-lived companions that form powerful, lasting bonds with their owners. While they are fairly easy to care for, these birds do require a ton of attention, and with their incredible lifespans, they are not an ideal choice for beginners. They are also extremely clean animals by nature and will almost continually preen themselves. Most species of Cockatoo have exceedingly long lifespans - in rare cases, up to 100 years! - and are, as you’d expect from this fact, hardy animals when properly looked after. This is further bolstered by the fact that their favorite time to make a racket is early in the morning and at sunset, a natural trait in the wild, and the exact time that your neighbors will most likely be at home! Often, these birds may outlive their owners, and some have been known to become extremely depressed and even rumored to die of a broken heart without their owners.Ĭockatoos are notoriously loud and vocal, and as such, they are not suited for small apartments or small homes with close neighbors. They are also revered as one of the most affectionate of bird species, and these unique bonds with their owners will last a lifetime. Image Credit: Pixabay Personality / CharacterĬockatoos are often referred to as “Velcro birds” because they form such strong bonds with their owners when raised in captivity. They are instantly recognizable birds, with a beautiful fan of feathers crowning the tops of their heads, and most have incredibly long lifespans of up to 60 years or more in rare cases. Contrary to popular belief, the Cockatoo is not one bird but a family of birds consisting of over 21 different species, including the smaller Cockatiel.

This is the result of a unique genetic mutation found in captive Cockatiels, one that has spawned several different colorations.Ĭockatoos originate in Australia, the Indonesian Islands, and New Guinea, with habitats ranging from woodlands to coastal plains depending on the species. Cockatoos generally have fairly plain and solid coloring, whereas Cockatiels are brightly colored and come in a wide variety of different shades and color combinations. The first and most obvious difference between these two birds is their size Cockatiels are the smallest members of the Cockatoo family and are thus at least half the size of their close Cockatoo cousins. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Cockatiel and the Cockatoo to see exactly what makes them so uniquely different. There are 21 different species of Cockatoos within this family of birds, the Cacatuidae family, all of which are native to the Australian wetlands and bushlands. While the two are different when you know what to look for, they are actually a part of the same family of birds, the Cockatiel being the smallest member of the Cockatoo species. Cockatiels are one of the most popular pet birds in the United States, second only to Parakeets (Budgies), and they are often mistaken for the similar Cockatoo.

Cockatoo pet birds