cockatiel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Neutral to formal in ornithological contexts; neutral to informal in pet/domestic contexts.
Quick answer
What does “cockatiel” mean?
A small, crested parrot native to Australia, typically grey with yellow and orange markings on the head.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, crested parrot native to Australia, typically grey with yellow and orange markings on the head.
A popular pet bird species known for its gentle nature, ability to whistle or mimic sounds, and distinctive erectable crest. In broader cultural context, it often symbolises companionship and a gentle, cheerful personality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Equally connotes a popular, manageable pet bird in both varieties.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both dialects, appearing in pet care, ornithology, and general interest contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cockatiel” in a Sentence
[owner] has/owns/keeps a cockatiel[cockatiel] whistles/mimics/singsto breed/raise/tame cockatielsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cockatiel” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The bird will cockatiel about, chirping all morning. (Note: Extremely rare/non-standard; provided for structure only.)
American English
- (No standard verb form exists.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverb form exists.)
American English
- (No standard adverb form exists.)
adjective
British English
- She has a lovely cockatiel-themed notebook. (Denoting a pattern or theme.)
American English
- The room had a subtle cockatiel yellow accent wall. (Denoting a colour similar to the bird's markings.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in the pet trade, aviculture supply, or veterinary business contexts.
Academic
Used in zoology, ornithology, and animal behaviour studies.
Everyday
Common in conversations about pets, hobbies, and animal care.
Technical
Used in avian veterinary medicine, aviculture, and species taxonomy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cockatiel”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cockatiel”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cockatiel”
- Misspelling: 'cockateil', 'cockateal', 'cockatiel'.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable too heavily in British English (it's /ˌkɒk.ə/).
- Using as a generic term for any small parrot.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they are often recommended as a good first bird due to their generally gentle temperament, manageable size, and lower noise level compared to larger parrots, though they still require significant commitment.
While not as proficient as some larger parrots, male cockatiels can learn to mimic whistles, simple tunes, and occasionally a few words. Females are less likely to mimic speech.
With proper care, a pet cockatiel can live between 15 to 20 years, and sometimes even longer.
Cockatiels are much smaller, have longer tail feathers in proportion to their body, and are a distinct species (Nymphicus hollandicus). Cockatoos are a broader family (Cacatuidae) of larger, often noisier birds with more powerful beaks.
A small, crested parrot native to Australia, typically grey with yellow and orange markings on the head.
Cockatiel is usually neutral to formal in ornithological contexts; neutral to informal in pet/domestic contexts. in register.
Cockatiel: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒk.əˈtiːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑː.kəˌtiːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to the word. General bird idioms (e.g., 'free as a bird') are not tied to cockatiels.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A COCK (rooster) has a comb; a cockatiel has a crest. It's a 'little cockatoo' (-iel suggests small).
Conceptual Metaphor
Often metaphorically associated with 'cheerful companionship' or 'gentle mimicry'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary origin of the cockatiel?