<P> Psittacus hollandicus Kerr, 1792 Leptolophus hollandicus </P> <P> The Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), is a bird that is a member of the cockatoo family endemic to Australia . They are prized as household pets and companion parrots throughout the world and are relatively easy to breed . As a caged bird, cockatiels are second in popularity only to the budgerigar . </P> <P> The cockatiel is the only member of the genus Nymphicus . It was previously considered a crested parrot or small cockatoo; however, more recent molecular studies have assigned it to its own subfamily, Nymphicinae . It is, therefore, now classified as the smallest of the Cacatuidae (cockatoo family). Cockatiels are native to Australia, and favour the Australian wetlands, scrublands, and bush lands . </P> <P> Originally described by Scottish writer and naturalist Robert Kerr in 1793 as Psittacus hollandicus, the cockatiel (or cockateel) was moved to its own genus, Nymphicus, by Wagler in 1832 . Its genus name reflects the experience of one of the earliest groups of Europeans to see the birds in their native habitat; the travellers thought the birds were so beautiful that they named them after mythical nymphs . The specific name hollandicus refers to New Holland, a historic name for Australia . </P>

Is a cockatiel part of the parrot family