Unlike most cockatoos, cockatiels are generally silent. During flight they make a distinct "queel-queel" cry. These birds are better whistlers than talkers. Males are better talkers and can be taught to repeat quite a few words and phrases.

Cockatiels are extensively captive-bred and are readily available as pets. Although Australia does not permit the export of native wildlife, this has not affected the availability of these birds as pets in most other parts of the world. Introduction These birds belong to the cockatoo family which has 22 distinct species. Cockatoos are birds endemic to Australia, the South Pacific and the Philippines. They are tropical birds in the parrot family, Psittacidae. Many common species belong to the genus Cacatua. Like cockatiels, cockatoos in general are affectionate and enjoy human companionship. They are intelligent birds and some species can be trained to mimic human speech. Most cockatoos are white in color. But they also come in grays, pinks, blacks, and even deep blues. Some have spectacular crests. Their bills are large, curved and pointed bills that are used to crack nuts. Most cockatoos feed on fruits, vegetables, and roots. In some parts of the world, they are considered agricultural pests.

The average lifespan of cockatoo is between 40 and 60 years and there have been reports of some cockatoos living to be over 100. The largest species is the Great Black or Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus). This bird is found in Australia and New Guinea. It is approximately 63 cm long, with black plumage and Introduction patches of bright red on its cheeks. The smallest cockatoo is the Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) endemic to central Australia. It is only about 30 cm long with grey plumage and a yellow head. There are 22 species of cockatoos, most of which are in the genus Cacatua. A list of these species is given below: Probosciger aterrimus Palm Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus latirostris Short-billed Black-cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii Long-billed Black-Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum Gang-gang Cockatoo Eolophus roseicapillus Galah Cacatua tenuirostris Long-billed Corella

The major cockatoo species Introduction Cacatua pastinator Western Corella Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella Cacatua leadbeateri Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Cacatua galerita Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua sulphurea citroncristata Citron-crested Cockatoo Cacatua ophthalmica Blue-eyed Cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis Moluccan Cockatoo Cacatua alba Umbrella Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia Red-vented Cockatoo Cacatua goffini Goffin's Cockatoo Cacatua ducorpsii Ducorp's Cockatoo Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel

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