Parrots are such lovely creatures that add another layer of happiness to any person’s life.
Whether it’s just a simple visit with another person or that person ends up adopting a parrot, it’s extraordinary how unique and compelling parrots are.
Still, like any other subject, there’s a lot attached to the subject, making it a bit of a challenge to fully understand what actually is a parrot.
With this in mind, is a Cockatiel a parrot?
To answer this question…yes, a Cockatiel is a parrot, and in fact, there are 9 different Cockatiel species in the world. Keep in mind, not every parrot is a Cockatiel since there are well-over 350 different parrot species. Basically, every Cockatiel is a parrot, but not every parrot is a Cockatiel.
Now that you know for certain that a Cockatiel is a parrot, you most likely have plenty of other questions related to the subject.
You might be wondering precisely how a Cockatiel is a parrot and if there’s any other information you should make a note of that’s related to the subject.
If this is the case, realize it’s not as overwhelming as it might seem as long as you take the time necessary to look over everything in the subject.
Nevertheless, if you’re interested in learning more about Cockatiels being parrots, look no further.
We’re going to discuss crucial aspects such as what makes a Cockatiel a parrot, what the difference is between a Cockatiel and a Cockatoo, if Cockatiels are friendly parrots, if a Cockatiel is an excellent first parrot, and much more.
By the end of it, you’ll have a solid list of information related to Cockatiels.
Let’s take a look!
What makes a Cockatiel a parrot?
The biggest question related to a Cockatiel being a parrot is what actually makes them a parrot.
The answer to this isn’t as complicated as it might seem, since there are a lot of characteristics that all parrots share.
Basically, although every parrot and parrot species are vastly different from one another, there are some key similarities between them all.
For starters, all parrots share the same diet, since they eat insects, flowers, nuts, fruit, buds, and seeds.
Physically-speaking, every parrot has a curved beak and four toes on each foot.
Of their four toes, two of their toes point forward while the other two point backward.
Obviously, their physical features vary significantly from that, but those are some common characteristics you should be aware of.
As for where they live, parrots can only live in warm climates.
They’re most commonly found in Australasia, Central America, and South America.
Cockatiels themselves are native to Australia and are most commonly found close to the water.
Thus, if you adopt a Cockatiel or any parrot for that matter, make sure where they’re staying is warm enough for them.
Cockatiels are immensely popular to adopt mainly because of the natural niceness and affection they show to just about anyone.
Plus, as you grow old with your Cockatiel, you’ll develop a splendid relationship with them that’ll genuinely make a positive impact on your life.
What’s the difference between a Cockatiel and a Cockatoo?
For whatever reason, many people confuse Cockatiels and Cockatoos, primarily due to their similar names.
What’s important to note is that a Cockatiel is a subspecies of a Cockatoo.
Basically, every Cockatiel is technically a Cockatoo, but not every Cockatoo is a Cockatiel.
As for physical differences, Cockatiels tend to be much smaller than Cockatoos with Cockatiels being 13 to 14 inches in length and Cockatoos growing up to 26 inches.
Although this is a broad assumption, Cockatiels tend to be much friendlier than Cockatoos.
However, if you’re around an untamed Cockatiel, don’t expect the same level of friendliness as a trained parrot.
Are Cockatiels friendly parrots?
As you can assume with the overall popularity associated with Cockatiels, it’s safe to assume they’re extremely friendly parrots.
If this is the case with you, you definitely thought right since Cockatiels are so kind and loving.
Keep in mind, these broad terms don’t apply to every Cockatiel, but you should expect them to be friendly as long as you treat them right.
In some instances, a Cockatiel can act odd around a human if their previous owner didn’t treat them right.
Still, don’t let this hinder you from adopting cockatiel, since they’ll be proud to be near you sooner than later.
Also, as lovely as Cockatiels are, they tend to not like being touched, so definitely be mindful of that while caring for them.
Is a Cockatiel a good first parrot?
If you hope to adopt a Cockatiel as your first parrot, there are many points to be mindful of.
First, Cockatiels are brilliant parrots, meaning they’ll efficiently respond and get to know you very well.
Even if it doesn’t happen right away, as long as you’re patient in the matter, you should have a new best friend in your life sooner than later.
Secondly, Cockatiels aren’t too needy and don’t mind keeping to themselves.
Now, this doesn’t mean you should neglect them or anything like that.
All it means is that you do what you can to treat them right.
The other two points to be aware of are space and their diet. Only feed them what’s deemed okay to eat and make sure you have a suitable cage for them to be in.
Is a Cockatiel a good pet?
Now that we’ve gone over such a wide range of information related to Cockatiels, you might be wondering if a Cockatiel is a good pet.
No matter what your living situation is, a Cockatiel is an excellent pet as long as you have enough room and resources to care for them.
If you can manage to do that for your Cockatiel, everything should go very well for the two of you moving forward.
Aside from that, there isn’t much else to be mindful of when discussing a Cockatiel.
Definitely look into local and online options to adopt a Cockatiel!