What does cockatiel mean?
The cockatiel is a small Australian parrot, Nymphicus hollandicus, distinguished by its erectile crest, long pointed tail, and — in males — vivid yellow face markings. Native to the arid and semi-arid interior of Australia, it has become one of the most popular companion birds worldwide, prized for its gentle temperament, expressive crest, and talent for whistling rather than for extensive talking. The name itself means 'little cockatoo': early naturalists regarded it as a miniature member of the cockatoo family, though it is now classified separately. In everyday usage, 'cockatiel' appears chiefly in contexts of pet keeping, aviculture, and wildlife writing, often paired with words such as 'cage' or 'crest'. Its combination of charm, intelligence, and manageable size makes it a familiar entry point into bird ownership across many countries.
nounA small Australian crested parrot with a long tail and (in the male) bright yellow head markings; it is a popular cage bird.
- A small Australian parrot (Nymphicus hollandicus) with an erectile yellow crest, native to the Australian interior and widely kept as a cage bird.
"Her cockatiel whistles the opening bars of the theme song every time she walks in the door."
"The cockatiel perched on his shoulder, preening its grey feathers."
"A well-socialised cockatiel can learn to whistle tunes and mimic household sounds."
Standard regular plural; no special forms exist.
"Aviaries housing several cockatiels should provide ample horizontal flying space."
The cockatiel's name literally means 'little cockatoo' — it was named as a diminutive before scientists realized it deserved its own classification.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cockatiel
The cockatiel takes its name through Dutch, as a diminutive form of 'cockatoo', reflecting early European naturalists' belief that the small crested bird was simply a tiny cockatoo. The underlying 'cockatoo' itself comes from Malay kakaktua, ultimately linked to Indonesian/Malay terms for the bird. Although later taxonomy separated the cockatiel into its own genus, Nymphicus, its name preserves that original impression of a miniature cockatoo.
How cockatiel is actually used
The word is informal-neutral in register, used mainly by pet owners, bird fanciers, and in general writing about birds. In Australia, where the bird is native, it is sometimes called the 'quarrion', a name of Aboriginal origin.
Easily confused with cockatiel
A cockatoo is a generally larger parrot of the family Cacatuidae, while a cockatiel is a much smaller Australian species that shares the cockatoo family's crest.