Nymphicus hollandicus
Silhouette: Matias · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
The cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), also known as the weero/weiro or quarrion, is a species of small- to medium-sized parrot belonging to the cockatoo family (Cacatuidae), of which it is the smallest member. Native to Australia, it is the sole member of the genus Nymphicus.
Cockatiels are widely recognized for their expressive crests, long tail feathers, and sociable, playful nature, and their strong affinity for human interaction has made them among the most commonly kept companion parrots worldwide and one of the five most popular pet bird species; an estimated 4.8 million US households keep them. However, insufficient knowledge of their care contributes to one of the highest surrender rates among pet bird species.
Proper care requires regular social interaction with owners, as well as a suitable nutritionally appropriate diet, toy-based enrichment, annual veterinary check-ups and prompt attention when signs of illness or respiratory issues appear, perches of varying diameters, UV exposure, and about two hours of daily out-of-cage time. Due to many owners' unfamiliarity with these requirements, many cockatiels suffer chronic malnutrition and behavioral problems and are often relinquished to shelters within approximately 1.5 years of adoption.
The cockatiel is the only member of the genus Nymphicus. It was previously unclear whether the cockatiel is a crested parakeet or small cockatoo; however, more recent molecular studies have assigned it to its own subfamily, Nymphicinae. It is, therefore, now classified as the smallest subfamily of the Cacatuidae (cockatoo family). Cockatiels are native to Australia, favouring the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bushlands. There are many different mutations of this bird. Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Cape Range | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Nitmiluk National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Hattah-Kulkyne National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Cockatiel sighting in Ningaloo Marine Park on a given day, based on 25 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 66th most-seen of the 102 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
December
In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Cockatiel in Ningaloo Marine Park on a given day, against under 5% in January–March and July–November, the lowest months. That is one of Ningaloo Marine Park's driest months, with about 5 mm of rain against 50 mm in June.
Between 8 and 11 am
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Cockatiel sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Yes
Of the 5 parks where we can rate Cockatiel sightings, Ningaloo Marine Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come Cape Range (Australia, about 10%) and Nitmiluk National Park (Australia, about 10%).
Same family: Psittacidae
The closest relatives of the Cockatiel that you can see in Ningaloo Marine Park (family Psittacidae, New World and African Parrots) are Galah (about 20%), Little Corella (about 20%) and Australian Ringneck (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Cockatiel is recorded against all the birds logged in Ningaloo Marine Park (25 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
