Cockatiels are known for their ability to imitate household sounds and produce bird-like sounds. They feed on seeds, grasses, and occasionally on insects. In the wild, cockatiels are social birds that flock together in large groups. They are native to Australia and are considered to be among the most intelligent of all pet birds. The cockatiel is in the family Psittacidae, which includes other popular pet bird species like parakeets, lovebirds, conures, and macaws. They are the smallest member of the cockatoo family and are also one of the most popular pet birds globally. Unlike most cockatoos, which are larger birds, cockatiels are relatively smaller, and they have a grey body with orange cheek patches. Cockatiel SpeciesĬockatiels, on the other hand, belong to the species Nymphicus hollandicus and are native to the Australian wetlands. These birds are known for their distinctive crests of feathers on their heads and their playful personalities. There are 21 cockatoo species of cockatoos, including the popular pet birds like the Moluccan Cockatoo, Umbrella Cockatoo, Galah Cockatoo, Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, and the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo.

Cockatoo FamilyĬockatoos belong to the family Cacatuidae and are native to Australia and nearby islands such as New Guinea. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key differences between cockatiels and cockatoos, as well as their similarities, to help you determine whether a cockatiel is indeed a cockatoo. However, these two birds belong to different species and families within the parrot kingdom. Is a cockatiel a cockatoo? If you’re a bird enthusiast or just a casual pet bird owner, you may have heard the terms “cockatoo” and “cockatiel” used interchangeably.

A cockatoo