About Us
Our Breeding Program
To view a sketch of the NCS visual standard, click here
The Majority of Cockatiels bred at Top Tiels aviary are Linebred for the following traits:
A. Size, Shape and Conformation:
* The head should be large and well-rounded without evidence of a "flat top" either behind the
crest or at the back of the skull.
* The eyes should be large and bright, situated at mid-point between the front and back of the
skull (with good width between).
* A pronounced frontal brow-line, creating a proud, "hawklike" appearance when viewed from
the front.
* The cockatiel is a sleek, stream-lined bird, yet full-bodied, showing good substance.
* When viewed from the front (or back), a generous width across the chest and shoulders in
adults (particularly hens) should be evident.
* The back should be straight, blending with the slender, tapering abdomen.
* The wings should be large and wide, held tightly, hugging the body with tips close to the tail,
without crossing or drooping.
* Proportionally, the bird should measure equally in length from:
the top of the crown to the vent,
the top of the shoulder to the tip of wing,
and from the vent to the tip of the tail.
* The neck, adding grace to the form, should be neither too long nor too short, and particularly
evident when the bird is in and alert stance.
* The tail should be long, clean and straight (lacking frayed, damaged or soiled feathers) and
tightly whipped together, adding to the cockatiel's elegant and graceful appearance.
B. The Crests:
* The crest should approach 3 inches in length.
* The crest, as the cockatiel's chief physical trademark, should be full and showy, curving back
gracefully, with the longer filaments graduating evenly down towards the shorter ones at the
rear of the skull.
C. The Color:
* The bright orange cheek patches should be round, well colored, and free of "bleeding"
extraneous orange feathers elsewhere on the face.
* The yellow face of adult males should be brightly colored and without extraneous grey or
orange feathers (except for young males going through the moult) and clearly contrast where it
meets the main body feathers.
D. Uniformity of Markings:
E. Gentlemess of Nature/Tameness
F. Clutch Size
G. Incubation/Egg Care
H. Chick Care
I. Readiness/Willingness To Breed
J. General Health & Vigor
To view some of our favorite birds here at TopTiels, click here
