When raised by people, they’re usually calm and cuddly and have an inquisitive, adventurous disposition. Natural-born charmers, cockatiels are small colorful parrots native to the Australian desert. Cockatiels are just large enough to be handled easily, but they’re not so big that they require a great deal of space in your home. And while the cockatiel’s gentle nature and captivating personality encourage you to form close and lasting relationships with them, taking one into your life brings with it a host of specific requirements and responsibilities that you really need to be aware of before you take the leap into being a cockatiel owner.