Hamlet TikTok is the nickname given to a pet cockatiel that has become famous on the social media app TikTok for interacting with his owner through funny dubbed voiceovers. Cockatiels are a type of parrot native to Australia that are popular as pets due to their relatively small size, expressive crest feathers, and ability to mimic speech. Based on his appearance and behaviors shown in videos, Hamlet TikTok can be identified as a normal grey or “wildtype” cockatiel.
Identifying Features of Cockatiels
Cockatiels are recognizable by several standard features:
- Small parrot averaging 12-13 inches long from head to tail
- Slender bodies with long, pointed tail feathers
- Distinctive erectile crest on top of head
- Mainly grey feathers with accents of yellow, white, and orange
- Males may have brighter yellow or white faces
- Females generally have more barred tail feathers
- Light, seed-eating beaks compared to other parrots
In addition, cockatiels are born with dark grey down feathers that molt into their adult plumage pattern as they mature. Wild cockatiels native to Australia exhibit grey feathers with yellow headed males and barred tail feathers on females. However, selective breeding has produced many color variations including white, cinnamon, pied, and yellow/white faces. The grey or “normal grey” phenotype remains the most common for pet cockatiels.
Observations of Hamlet’s Physical Features
Based on videos posted to his TikTok account, Hamlet appears to be a normal grey cockatiel with characteristics typical of the species:
- Small grey parrot around 12 inches long
- Pointed grey tail feathers with subtle white barring
- Large feather crest on head which he can raise and lower
- Mostly solid grey plumage on body, wings, head, and crest
- Orange cheek patches
- White rings around eyes
- Pale horn-colored beak common to cockatiels
Hamlet does not exhibit any of the color mutations like cinnamon, lutino, pied, or pearl that result from selective breeding. His solid grey appearance matches that of a normal wild-type cockatiel. Any yellowish tints on his body or crest feathers appear to be due to lighting and camera filters rather than true coloration.
Cockatiel Behaviors Demonstrated by Hamlet
In addition to physical features, Hamlet displays many trademark behaviors of cockatiels through his antics on TikTok:
- Perching and climbing around his cage
- Chewing on toys, food, and cage bars
- Bobbing his head and flaring his crest
- Mimicking human speech and sounds
- Regurgitating food during bonding rituals
- Foraging and shredding paper
- Pacing and flying short distances
Cockatiels are highly social and inquisitive birds who bond strongly with owners. Their high energy levels lead them to constantly explore their environment through climbing, chewing, and foraging activities. Hamlet engages in these normal parrot behaviors regularly on camera, indicating he is a typical pet cockatiel when it comes to personality and mannerisms.
Origins and Background of Hamlet
According to his owner, Hamlet was adopted in 2020 at around 8 weeks old from a breeder in Florida. As a domesticated cockatiel bred in captivity rather than caught in the wild, he has known no other home than with his current owner. Hamlet was named after the tragic Shakespeare character because he was vocal and friendly even as a baby bird. His rise to TikTok fame began when his owner made an account for him in January 2021 showcasing his silly antics through dubbed voiceovers.
As a domestic cockatiel who has lived his whole life as a pet with the same owner, Hamlet has no known history before 8 weeks of age. His friendly personality from a very young age is common in hand-raised cockatiels imprinted on humans. Nothing about his background suggests Hamlet is anything other than a normal pet grey cockatiel.
Typical Diet and Nutrition of Cockatiels
The diet of cockatiels like Hamlet consists mainly of specialized pellets and seed mixes formulated for parrots. Greens, vegetables, fruits, proteins, and other healthy “people foods” can also be offered. Recommended staples to feed cockatiels include:
- High-quality pellets and extruded nuggets
- Fortified cockatiel seed mixes
- Sprouted seeds
- Chopped greens like kale, lettuce, spinach
- Vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, beans
- Fresh fruits like berries, citrus, bananas
- Whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, couscous
- Clean proteins like cooked eggs, chicken
In addition to standard seed/pellet diets, cockatiels need calcium sources for strong bones and beaks. Cuttlebones, mineral blocks, eggshells, and supplements powder provide necessary calcium. Fresh water should also always be available.
Hamlet’s owner shows him eating typical cockatiel foods like pellets, seed mixes, chopped veggies, and millet spray treats. His diet aligns with the diverse nutritional needs of his species for a healthy life in captivity.
Average Cockatiel Lifespan and Health
With proper care, cockatiels generally live 15-25 years or more, making them one of the longer living parrot species. Factors impacting their lifespan include:
- Genetics and inherited health conditions
- Proper diet with variety and nutrients
- Regular exercise by flying and playing
- Mental stimulation from toys, socializing
- Annual wellness checks by an avian vet
- Stress management and owner bond
- Preventing obesity
- Avoiding trauma and accidents
Common health issues to monitor include overgrown beaks/nails, respiratory infections, parasites, and obesity. Hamlet appears vibrant and active in his videos, indicating no visible health problems. With his young age of around 3 years old, he is likely still within the first third of his expected lifespan if properly cared for.
Origin and Natural Habitat of Cockatiels
Cockatiels are native to the dry open habitats of Australia. Their natural range covers most of the interior of Australia, avoiding only the cooler southern and mountainous regions. Cockatiels inhabit savannas, scrublands, and bushlands where they congregate near bodies of water.
Wild cockatiels form large nomadic flocks that forage for native grass and tree seeds. They nest in tree hollows lined with sticks and bark strips. Being native to arid environments makes them highly resilient birds capable of adapting to harsh conditions. Due to their popularity as pets, cockatiels have also established some small feral populations abroad, including in parts of the United States. But these free-roaming birds represent escaped pets rather than truly naturalized populations.
As a domesticated pet, Hamlet has no connection to or experience with the true native habitat of his species in Australia. But cockatiels retain their foraging instincts even when raised in captivity. This is evident through Hamlet’s constant chewing and shredding activities filmed for his TikTok account.
Genus, Species, and Scientific Classification
Cockatiels belong to the following scientific classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Aves
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Family: Cacatuidae
- Genus: Nymphicus
- Species: N. hollandicus
This scientific name means cockatiels are part of:
- The Nymphicus genus of true parrots
- The Cacatuidae family of cockatoos
- The Psittaciformes order containing all parrot species
Their full binomial name is Nymphicus hollandicus. Cockatiels are the only species within the Nymphicus genus, distinguished from other parrots by their unique crest. There are no recognized subspecies. Hamlet is a classic example of his singular species Nymphicus hollandicus.
Key Identifying Traits of Hamlet
In summary, key physical and behavioral traits identify TikTok sensation Hamlet as a normal grey or wild-type cockatiel:
- Small grey parrot around 12 inches long
- Narrow grey tail with subtle white barring
- Large head crest he can raise and lower
- Mostly solid grey plumage without color mutations
- Orange cheek patches and white eye rings
- Foraging, climbing, and chewing habits
- Mimicking speech and interacting with owner
- No alternate coloration or patterns
Hamlet’s appearance, actions, and origin all align with the common traits and characteristics of a young, male, grey cockatiel. His viral TikTok videos allow people worldwide to be entertained by a wonderfully typical example of Nymphicus hollandicus personality.
Conclusion
Based on physical features, behaviors, background, and care demonstrated in his popular TikTok account, the pet parrot known as Hamlet can be confirmed as a normal grey or wild-type cockatiel. His appearance and conduct are typical for his species, Nymphicus hollandicus, the only member of the cockatiel genus native to dry regions of Australia. Hamlet’s humorous dubbed antics provide great insight into the active, inquisitive, and trainable nature of cockatiels. They are a small parrot species well suited for life as pets and close interaction with humans when hand raised from an early age as Hamlet was. His viral videos have entertained millions of viewers while also providing a fun and educational look at his species. Hamlet is truly a prime example of everything that makes cockatiels unique and popular companion parrots.