Have a cockatiel as a pet and feeling worried about what to feed it at home? Check out the extensive list of cockatiel bird food in the article below to address any questions you may have!
A cockatiel’s diet should consist of a wide variety of foods, just like any other type of parrot’s diet. About 60–80% of the food should consist of pellets or full nutrition; the remaining portion can include foods like fruits, nuts, vegetables, and sprouting seeds. You can place food inside toys to stimulate your cockatiel to search for it or put it in their feeding bowl.
Now let’s get started and investigate what kind of food would be best for cockatiel birds.
What Can Cockatiels Eat?
Make sure to provide cockatiels with a varied diet and change it up often. Regrettably, cockatiels have a tendency to be arrogant, and they are known to be finicky eaters, particularly when it comes to trying unfamiliar foods.
Ensure to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables to their diet at an early age and prevent them from becoming addicted to seeds. Ideally, you should provide a high-quality small parrot mix as their main food, along with fruits, vegetables, and millet spray as supplements.
The birds also require protein, so offering occasional mealworms should suffice.
Seeds
Seeds are a staple in a cockatiel’s diet, providing essential nutrients and energy. However, it’s important to offer a variety of seeds in a cockatiel bird food list to ensure a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals. Opt for high-quality seed mixes specifically formulated for cockatiels, avoiding those with added sugars or artificial additives.
Once again, there is nothing wrong with a seed-based diet as long as you include a variety of seeds. Ensure that you thoroughly clean the seed tray with hot soapy water to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungus, and ensure that the seed tray is fully dry before placing seeds. Whenever there is moisture present on the seed tray, you are welcoming fungus and bacteria. Your cockatiel will remove the seeds from the shells and the feeder might end up with mostly empty shells that your cockatiel doesn’t eat, so it’s crucial to regularly replace the seed tray.
Pellets
While seeds are important, they shouldn’t comprise the entirety of your cockatiel’s diet. Pellets offer a balanced alternative, providing essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in every bite. Look for reputable brands that offer pellets specifically designed for cockatiels, and gradually introduce them into your bird’s diet.
Pellets Vs. Seeds
This topic has sparked debate among individuals who own cockatiels. You can continue feeding your tiel a diverse range of foods without needing to switch them to pellets. We have seen cockatiels living up to 22 years with this diverse diet.
Cockatiels should primarily eat cockatiel pellets, comprising 70% of their diet, with the remaining 30% consisting of fruits and vegetables. Cockatiel snacks, like bird seed, should be given in small amounts and should not be a major part of the bird’s food.
Soaking Seed
Interested in making a delicious meal for your cockatiel? Next, you should attempt to soak the seed. Just allow it to absorb water for a couple of days, giving it an occasional rinse, and then offer it to your bird. It will provide them with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals they require.
Fruits & Vegetables That Cockatiels Eat
It is essential to be aware of which fruits and vegetables are safe for your bird, as not all of them are suitable choices. Fruits and vegetables should make up twenty to twenty-five percent of their diet, with the remaining amount being pellet food suited specifically for cockatiels. Below are some of the best choices of fruits and vegetables to give to your cockatiel.
Apples
Apples are a delicious and commonly found fruit that you can give to your cockatiel. Any kind of apple is fine, but your cockatiel might have a strong liking or aversion to certain types, so give your cockatiel what it appears to like.
Ensuring that you remove the seeds from apples before giving them to your bird is crucial since the seeds may be harmful to your bird. Your cockatiel may find it enjoyable to snack on a whole apple, but it is recommended to feed them slices or pieces to control their intake properly.
Grapes
Grapes are readily available in many supermarkets, usually sold in large quantities at affordable prices. Due to their small size, circular shape, and pleasant texture, they can provide enjoyment as a fun treat for your cockatiel.
Before feeding grapes to your bird, make sure you carefully wash them to remove any potentially dangerous toxins. Removing grapes from the vine before washing ensures a more thorough cleaning of all fruit surfaces.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a common vegetable that is cheap and readily available in various places. Because of its consistency, it is important to wash it well before giving it to your bird. Uncooked broccoli is the ideal choice for your cockatiel as cooking broccoli can diminish its nutritional content.
Nonetheless, it is fine to occasionally offer your bird cooked, unseasoned broccoli. Broccoli is a good fiber source and has more protein than most veggies, making it a good food option for your cockatiel.
Carrots
Carrots are a popular and budget-friendly vegetable choice to provide for your cockatiel. There are regular and baby versions, as well as orange and vibrant variations, providing numerous choices. Ensure to peel or wash carrots completely before giving them to your bird.
Being a root vegetable, they grow underground and must be cleaned thoroughly to get rid of dirt and harmful chemicals before harvesting.
Pumpkin
During the fall season, cockatiels are attracted to pumpkins, which are a type of vegetable. Pumpkins need to be cooked enough but not raw when offering them to your bird. Several birds appear not to like eating raw pumpkin.
You can give your cockatiel either peeled or unpeeled pumpkins, but be sure to wash the skin well if offering unpeeled pumpkin to your bird. Once it is cooked, a pumpkin’s skin is edible and can be safely consumed by your cockatiel.
Romaine Lettuce
Romaine lettuce may be the most easily found and reasonably priced vegetable on this roster. Before feeding, it is crucial to thoroughly wash it since lettuces can accumulate pesticides and other harmful chemicals due to their large surface area.
Certain birds might like having a whole head of romaine lettuce to tear apart and eat, while others may opt for simply having individual leaves to nibble on. You can also create lettuce wraps for your cockatiel by using romaine lettuce leaves to wrap different types of vegetables and fruits, creating a more enjoyable mealtime for your pet bird.
Water
Make sure the water in your cockatiel’s dish is always fresh and replaced every day or when it becomes contaminated with droppings or food debris. Make sure to wash and clean the water trays with hot soapy water regularly to prevent bacteria and fungus from developing. You should only provide your cockatiel with water that you would drink yourself, so if you drink only bottled water, that’s what your cockatiel should have too.
Clean Water
Make sure to change the water in your cockatiel’s cage daily to avoid it becoming stagnant and harboring bacteria. Furthermore, an open tray should not be placed at the bottom of the cage as bird droppings could contaminate the water supply. Having the water elevated or using a water dispenser is preferable.
Avoiding Harmful Foods
Although your pet bird may be curious about trying any food or drink from your plate, be aware that some items could be detrimental to its health.
As a general guideline, do not give the following foods to any type of bird, not only cockatiels:
Chocolate
Caffeine
Avocado
Food with high salt content
Fatty foods
Foods that have xylitol
Alcohol
Onions and garlic
Fruit pits and apple seeds
Chinese cinnamon
You may perceive the last two entries as strange, given that fruits, vegetables, and various seeds are crucial foods for a cockatiel. Still, onions and garlic have sulfur and allicin, which are harmful to birds.
Some fruit seeds, such as those from apples, and pits from fruits like plums, cherries, apricots, etc., have a cyanide compound that is toxic to the heart. After discarding the pits and seeds, feel free to give these fruits to your cockatiel.
Chinese cinnamon, also known as cassia bark, contains elevated levels of coumarin, which is a toxic substance for pet birds. Although traditional cinnamon is beneficial for your infant, this specific type is not suitable.
Taking care of cockatiels goes beyond giving them a place to live and love; their diet is intricate and needs careful attention. You can make sure your bird stays healthy and enjoys different flavors and textures by including a range of safe fruits and vegetables in their diet. Make sure to slowly introduce new foods in moderation and be vigilant for any digestive issues.
Finally, always feel free to seek advice from a veterinarian if you have any questions about your cockatiel’s well-being or nutrition. The quality of life for your bird can be greatly improved with your attentiveness and concern.
