Cockatoos (Cacatuidae) - HBW 4

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

French: Calopsitte élégante German: Nymphensittich Spanish: Cacatúa Ninfa
Other common names: Quarrion, Weero, Cockatoo/Crested Parrot

Taxonomy: Psittacus hollandicus Kerr, 1792, New Holland = New South Wales.
Phylogeny has been in debate for many years: regarded by many authors as diminutive cockatoo on basis of morphology; during period 1963-1975 several workers put forward convincing case for its grouping amongst parrots of Platycercini; however, recent morphological and genetic studies, and particularly results of isozyme electrophoresis, have shown convincingly that species is closely related to the cockatoos, probably meriting separation in a monotypic subfamily or tribe within Cacatuidae. In past, genus name frequently given as Leptolophus, but this is a junior synonym. Monotypic.

Distribution: Irregular occurrence throughout interior of mainland Australia.