Cockatoos are social parrots marked by their expressive, fluffy, and sometimes elaborate crest feathers. Cockatoo species of Australia, such as Galah cockatoos, tend to congregate in large flocks, and some spend a lot of time in open grassland grazing for food. Cockatoo species native to Indonesia, such as umbrella cockatoos, live in forest habitats and spend most of their time in the canopy.
Cockatoos are very social birds and need a lot of love and attention. They can be needy pets, and may develop issues with screaming if they don't get enough affection. Many species of cockatoos have the same plumage in both males and females, but males have dark eyes while females have brown or amber eyes. Gang-gang cockatoos and red tailed black cockatoos are among the species where males and females are dimorphic.
The small cousin of the cockatoo, cockatiels are native to Australia. Their lively personalities have made them desirable and endearing pets. Though not as stunning as some of the more loudly colored parrots, cockatiels are available in many different shades of grey, yellow, and white that are quite beautiful.
With the exception of certain color mutations, you can tell a cockatiel's sex by its feathers. Males have a bright yellow face with vivid cheek patches, or a bright white face in white mutations. Females have a darker face with a yellow blush, and they also have a barring pattern on their wings and tail feathers. Baby cockatiels are all born visually female, and they get their adult coloring after their first full molt.
