The ACS Standard of Perfection for Cockatiels*

*The ACS Standard of Perfection for Cockatiels*

1. Overall Structure
The cockatiel should appear long, elegant, yet solid and full-bodied.
*Ideal measurements:*
7” from the shoulder curve to wing tip from top of head to vent
7” from vent to tail tip
*Target size:* 14” body + 3” crest = 17” total bird

2. Crest
Should reach 3” in length.
Full, dense, and flowing. It should start at the cere and fan outward to create a round, full look.

3. Head
Large and round with no flat areas on top or back.
*Balding:* Any bald spot is considered a fault. The goal is zero baldness, even in Lutinos.
*Eyes:* Large, bright, and alert. Positioned exactly halfway between the front and back of the skull.
*Brow ridge:* Prominent from the front view. It should show good width between the eyes.

*Beak:* Clean, proportionate, and slightly tucked so the lower beak is partially visible.
*Cheek patches:* Perfectly round, sharp-edged, with no color bleeding. Especially vivid in males.
*Adult Male:* Head should be a clear, bright yellow. The line where yellow meets body color must be sharp. A deep yellow bib is preferred. No pin feathers should be present.

4. Neck
Should be medium-long with a gentle curve above the shoulders.
A slight lift above the chest gives grace and avoids a “bull neck" or stiff “soldier” look seen in some parrots.
An overly long “snake neck” is a fault.

5. Body
From the side it can look deceiving. A full, rounded chest is what shows real substance.
From the front or back you see the true width through chest and shoulders — especially in hens. This muscle mass is what makes cockatiels strong fliers.

*Ideal body:*
High, broad, full chest — more so in hens
Slim, tapering belly
Wide, straight back with no hump or dip
Overall impression: large, sleek, well-built bird

6. Wings
Should be big, broad, and long enough to cover most of the body from the side.
Wings must sit tight to the body. Tips near the tail. No drooping shoulders and no crossed wings.

*Wing patch:* Should be 3/4” at its widest, clean, and free of dark feathering.
All flight feathers must be present. Coverts should show a neat, clear growth pattern.

7. Legs & Feet
Bird should stand upright at about a 70-degree angle.
Feet must grip the perch firmly — 2 toes forward, 2 back.
Clean feet, with nails not too long and none missing.

8. Tail
The longest tail feathers should line up with an imaginary line running straight through the center of the body.
A hunched back drops the tail too low. A swayback lifts it too high. Both are faults.
Tail feathers must be straight, clean, and free of fraying, splitting, or misalignment. All tail feathers should be present.

9. Condition
A show-ready bird has:
Clean, tight, smooth feathers. No broken, missing, or pin feathers.
Beak and nails trimmed to proper length.
No rough, scaly skin on cere, beak, legs, or feet.
In peak condition, water will bead and roll off the feathers — like on a duck.

10. Presentation / Deportment
On the show perch, the cockatiel should hold itself at roughly a 70-degree angle.
It should look alert, confident, and display itself well.

Source: American Cockatiel Society