Animal-World > Pet Birds > Cockatiels > Pied Cockatiel

Pied Cockatiel

Variegated Cockatiel Family: Cacatuidae

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Nymphicus hollandicus Photo © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   Pied are a beautiful cockatiel with large blotches of color on their bodies. They can be any color that occurs in a solid color cockatiel. The difference between the male and the female is almost unnoticable.

For more information about the care of Cockatiels see: Guide to a Happy, Healthy Cockatiel

Scientific Name:Nymphicus hollandicus

Distribution:
   Grey cockatiels are found over most of Australia except the coastal areas. They are not found in Tasmania. Pied cockatiels are a strain developed by breeders and is not seen in the wild.

Description:
  Cockatiels are probably the most popular of the parrot family. Cockatiels are considered parrots, as can be seen by the shape of their beak. The Grey is the most common kind of cockatiel. Many cockatiels can learn to talk and whistle, especially the males.

Care and feeding:
   A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. The cage for a cockatiel should measure a minimum of 24" length by 18" high and 18" wide. This will leave enough room for several toys and still give the bird room to fully stretch his/her wings without hitting them. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. They eat a variety of sprouts, seeds, nuts, fruits, vegetables, and commercial pellets.

See About Cockatiels: Housing and About Cockatiels: Care and Feeding for more information.

Distribution:
   Grey cockatiels are found over most of Australia except the coastal areas. They are not found in Tasmania. Pied cockatiels are a strain developed by breeders and is not seen in the wild.

Size - Weight:
   These birds get up to 30 cm (12 inches).

Social Behaviors:
   They travel in flocks in the wild. They make a very loving and devoted pet if bonded properly.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   Cockatiels will readily nest provided they have a nest box and some material to construct the nest from. They lay one egg every other day until they have laid about 5 eggs. The incubation period is 17 - 22 days. After hatching the young birds will open their eyes at 9 days of age.
   This is a good time to start hand feeding if you don't want to incubate the eggs yourself. Incubation and raising the chicks yourself requires dedication since the young chicks will need feedings every two hours for the first couple of weeks. Likewise, you can pull them from the nest earlier than 9 days, but with greater risk to the chick and greater effort on your part with frequent feedings. After about 18 days the orange cheek patch will appear on the babies. At about 30 days they will look like adult birds, and will fledge at about 35 days of age.

See About Cockatiels: Breeding/Reproduction for more information.

Sexual differences:
   There are a lot of opinions about how to sex these birds but usually they are just indicators and not sure ways to tell.

Potential Problems:
   See About Cockatiels: Problems for more information.

Availability:
   This bird is readily available in a lot of different varieties, gray, lutino, pearl, and white-faced varieties.

Activities:
   Likes to climb and play, provide toys and plenty of time outside the cage if possible.

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Latest Comments
Hi, I have cockatiel bird named Kiko and he's so much fun. I play with him so much and he's so cute. He loves to sing but he poops a lot when I let him out, especially on the carpet. I was thinking of training him or something, but I don't how. Any pointers... Stacie 2008-10-12
This is how I go Ceclo. A lady came to my home wanting to give me her cat, to a good home. When she took this cat to my home she changed her mind. That was ok, sometimes we have some in our life that seems to not want something and then changes there minds. Well after this she called me and told me about Sam. He was something I had wanted bird wise, a small bird. To make a long story short, we sat looking at each other for months. Then I decided we have to get along with each other, so I started by giving him millet. You have know idea how much it made me feel the day he sat on my shoulder! cy cy 2008-10-11
I have a cockatiel named Brandy who is approximately 1 1/2 years old. When we got her the lady we got her from told us she was a female (she was the breeder) and I have since been told she was a male by someone else. She is a loud mouth talker and the sweetest thing you could ever meet. She has a pretty big vocabulary...says her name and other words...have known her to say full sentences. I would love her even if she were a male but can someone help me solve the mystery of her being male or female. PLEASE! hehe She is the very best pet I have ever had, and I have had lots of them in my lifetime. My kids just love her, and I don't know what we would ever do without her! Barbara 2008-10-09
I have a 10 year old pied cockatiel named Buddy, I got her when I was 7 years old 10 years ago!!! She's my best friend. Summer 2007-08-24
Hi, i am ali. i have a pied cockatiel, an african grey, and one ring necked parakeet... but i love my cockiel the most. he is like my brother. i like playing with him, he comes on my hand, and likes to play with my hair when i keep him on my shoulder =) ali 2007-03-21

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Author: Clarice Brough, CAS