The gentle whistler — Canada's favourite family parrot.
Cockatiels are sweet-natured, crested little parrots famous for their whistled tunes and head-crest mood signals. They're one of the most commonly rehomed species in the GTA simply because they're one of the most commonly kept — and they routinely live 15–25 years, longer than many owners expect. Rehomed cockatiels usually settle into new homes quickly, especially with patient handling and familiar foods.
Lifespan
15–25 years
Size
Small–medium (~30 cm)
Noise level
Moderate — whistles & contact calls
Personality
Affectionate, gentle
Compared to most parrots, no. Expect cheerful whistling and a contact call when you leave the room. They're generally fine for apartments and shared walls.
15–25 years is typical with good care — adopting a cockatiel is a long-term commitment, which is also why so many wonderful adult cockatiels need new homes.
Most enjoy gentle head and crest scratches once they trust you. A rehomed adult may need a few weeks of quiet consistency before asking for scritches.
Browse the available cockatiels above and apply directly on the bird's page — you'll fill in a short application and chat with our AI screening assistant, then the BST team reviews every application personally. If none are listed today, the waitlist gets first notice when one arrives.
Listing is free, every applicant is screened, and you see each applicant's AI compatibility score at no cost.
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