cockatiel

noun

cock·​a·​tiel ˈkäk-ə-ˌtēl How to pronounce cockatiel (audio)
: a crested small gray Australian parrot (Nymphicus hollandicus of the family Cacatuidae) with a yellow head

Examples of cockatiel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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At the beginning of the film, viewers are treated to a brief glimpse of Linda’s quiet home life, consisting mostly of nights spent watching Survivor and tending to her pet cockatiel, Sweetie. Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 21 May 2026 The rescue also took in several other animals: two cockatiels, one boa constrictor, four scorpions, a tarantula, and a sugar glider, according to Scott's statement. Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 12 May 2026 On the floor next to them, a small gray, white and yellow cockatiel named Russel is seen slowly inching closer while whistling a song. Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025 Franklin chronicled Kiki’s journey on TikTok, streaming from Carmichael to thousands of followers online where videos of singing, dancing, head-bobbing cockatiels, cockatoos and parrots like Kiki enthrall and entertain a passionate worldwide community of bird enthusiasts. Darrell Smith, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2025 For a time, all four lived in the apartment, but the cockatiels had died by the time Ms. Lesser found Curtis during a visit to Project Perry, a bird sanctuary in Virginia. David Segal, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025 Bright-white crested cockatiels perch in their fronds like a scattering of coarse sea salt. Maria Shollenbarger, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 May 2014

Word History

Etymology

Dutch kaketielje, from Portuguese cacatilha, from cacatua cockatoo

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cockatiel was in 1839

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Cite this Entry

“Cockatiel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cockatiel. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.

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