cockatiel

American  

[kok-uh-teel] / ˌkɒk əˈtil /

Or cockateel

noun

1. a small, crested, long-tailed Australian parrot, Nymphicus hollandicus, often kept as a pet.

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cockatiel British  

/ ˌkɒkəˈtiːl /

noun

1. a crested Australian parrot, Leptolophus hollandicus, having a greyish-brown and yellow plumage

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Etymology

Origin of cockatiel

1875–80; < Dutch kaketielje, < Portuguese cacatilha, equivalent to cacat ( ua ) cockatoo + -ilha < Latin -illa diminutive suffix

Compare meaning

How does cockatiel compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cockatoo vs. cockatiel

Example Sentences

Wade especially loved visiting PetSmart, where he had learned that if he gently tapped his small pointer finger against the breast of a cockatiel, the bird would climb right on.

From New York Times • Sep. 29, 2022

At the edge of the island, there’s a mysterious blue-and-white-striped building topped by a gold dome and two cockatiel statues.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2022

The organization has also been taking care of about a dozen animals, including a tortoise and a cockatiel, in its shelter who cannot live with their owners in their temporary living situations, she said.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2022

Lisa Morton and Alan Zimberg’s cockatiel is bright yellow with peach-colored cheeks and a feathered pompadour.

From Washington Post • Jul. 7, 2020

Don’t let the cockatiel throw you off; this is no yuppie ambience.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich