A small, nomadic cockatoo that follows rainfall across the arid interior to exploit seeding grasses.
Not listed
Endemic to Australia
Indigenous: Wiyaarr, Wiraarr
At a glance
FamilyCockatoos
SizeMedium
RarityCommon
HabitatCockatiels are native to Australia, where they are found largely in arid or semi-arid country but always close to water.
Best timeMost reliable in Queensland from May to September.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Thierry THOMAS
Range map
Range map
200approx hotspots
73583approx records
6states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
In flight has dark wing tips and bold white wing panels contrasting with a gray back.
Behavior
When perched, the yellowish face and crest and orange cheek patch of the male are distinctive.
Gallery
Regional timing
Queensland
Northern Territory
South Australia
Western Australia
New South Wales
Victoria
Australian Capital Territory