LittleGreenDarcyAviary, Species Information: Cockateils, Taxonomy & Wild Distribution

Cockatiels: Taxonomy & Wild Distribution

Taxonomy

Super Kingdom:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Subkingdom:	Eumetazoa
Grade:	Bilateria
Subgrade:	Deuterostoma
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata, Craniata
Superclass:	Gnathostomata
Class:	Aves
Subclass:	Neornithines
Superorder:	Neognathae
Order:	Psittacidae
Suborder:	Psittaformes
Family:	Cacatuidae
Subfamily:	Nymphicinae
Genus:	Nymphicus
Species:	*Nymphicus hollandicus*

The Cockatiel, Nymphicus hollandicus, is a monotypic sexually dimorphic species, being small-medium sized gregarious parrots which inhabit arid inland areas of Australia. They are never found by the coast or in Tasmania. Cockatiels are nomadic, travelling in pairs, small or large flocks according to food availability, preferring scrub-desert land, but always close to a reliable water supply.

The Cockatiel is a genuine Cockatoo, thus rendering it a genuine Parrot, not a Parakeet as it is currently classified in the avicultural scene. The species bears a good resemblence to both the Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus) in terms of their melanistic pigmentation, anatomy and physiology; and the True Cockatoos (Cacatua) with their erect crest, coloured cheek patches/ear coverts, aswell as the lack of green or blue structural colouration. Internal morphology, aswell as recent genetic research suggests that the Cockatiel shares a significant common ancestry with the Black Cockatoos, which advocates that the Cockatiel should most probably be reclassified as a member of the Calyptorhynchus.

Table of Calyptorhynchus species

Genus:		*Calyptorhynchus*
S P E C I E S	White-tailed Black Cockatoo (aka Long-billed Black Cockatoo, Baudin's Cockatoo) Calyptorhynchus baudinii baudinii
	Short-billed Black Cockatoo (aka Carnaby's White-tailed or Slender-billed Black Cockatoo) Calyptorhynchus baudinii latirostris
	Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (aka Funeral Cockatoo) Calyptorhynchus funereus funereus
	Tasmanian Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (aka Yellow-eared Black Cockatoo) Calyptorhynchus funereus xanthonotus
	Glossy Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami (aka Leach's Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus leachii)
	Queensland Glossy Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami erebus
	Kangaroo Islands Glossy Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus
	Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus magnificus magnificus (aka Banksian Cockato Calyptorhynchus banksii)
	Gould's Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (aka Great-billed Black Cockatoo) Calyptorhynchus magnificus macrorhynchus
	Western Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus magnificus naso
	Matthews' Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (aka Central Black Cockatoo) Calyptorhynchus magnificus samueli

Plumage Pigmentation & Structure

Cockatiels also do not possess the Psittaciforme general trait of the cloudy (aka spongy) layer which gives rise to the illusion of blue colouration, and green when overlayed with yellow psittacins. Therefore a ture blue or green colour polymorph cannot exist in the species. Cockatiels do however have yellow psittacin as a base layer within the plumage, which has a limited distribution, much like the Yellowface Budgerigar colour polymorph. Therefore the Wild-type Cockatiel should be considered as a par-blue in colouration.

The Cockatiel also produces copious amounts of feather dust as it has powder down feathers. In explanation, the feathers are thinly coated with a very fine white powder, which are basically dry skin granules. The powder acts to protect the feathers from UV, heat and rain, aswell as aiding preening and making the feathers more robust. The powder also gives the plumage a rather dull appearence, unlike the glossy, shiny plumage of those parrots which do not possess powder down plumage e.g. Budgerigars.

The feather dust can be seen to coat the surrounding furniture with a soft fine white powder and so daily damp dusting is a must, aswell as regular vacuuming around your Cockatiel's cage, to keep on top of the dust levels. Therefore, the feather dust issue must be taken into account when purchasing a pet Cockatiel, as it may irritate breathing conditions such as asthma. I have had asthma since I was a baby and I'm glad to say that my birds do not affect my breathing, but asthma is very individual condition and so please try to visit a friend who has a Cockatiel, or a breeder before you purchase a Cockatiel, so you can see whether you are allergic or not. There are sadly too many pet birds out there who have no home because of their owners' allergies.