For living a good life, balance and nutrient rich diet is necessary for cockatiels. Because it ensures longevity to cockatiels. Wild cockatiels eat all types of fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds etc. Wild cocktails are free to move in search of food. A diet consisting of various food items are essential for pet cockatiels.
Cockatiels are prone to overweight and obesity, like cockatoos. Like human beings, obesity is toxic and unhealthy for cockatiel species. Overweight leads to many issues in cockatiels. It includes breathing problems, liver issues, cardiovascular problems, diabetes etc.
So, a balanced diet is key to living a healthy life without any health issues. If your cockatiel does not eat a nutrient diet, then it comes under malnutrition. It will also need a lot of difficulty in feather picking and egg laying.
Cockatiel tropical fruit gourmet pellets is most recommended food for cockatiels. As, it contains all essential food items that should added in a cockatiel’s diet.
In this article, I will tell you:
- Basic fruits for cockatiels,
- Names of fruits, vegetables, grains and protein based items
- Food item that cockatiels can not eat
- Can cockatiels eat seeds?
- What do wild cockatiels eat?
- Frequently asked questions.
Let’s start without wasting time!
Fun Facts
Keeping in mind the importance of a balanced diet for cockatiels. Here, I will tell you some great fun facts about the eating habits of cockatiels.
- Wild cockatiels eat number of fruits, vegetables, insects, seeds etc.
- For having a balanced diet, pellets are essential. It contains vitamins and minerals.
- Vegetables provide fun activity for cocktail. Small pieces of carrot, sweet potatoes and spinach leaves attract cockatiel species.
- Always remove seeds from fruits before serving it to cocktails.
- Proteins should be serve to cockatiels but not on a daily basis.
Basic Food for Cockatiels
Pet cockatiels eat pellet food. They like to eat seeds. Most owners prefer to serve 75% pellet food and 25% seeds to cocktails. For pet cockatiels, seeds are not a good option and they cannot only rely on seeds for good health. As the seeds are rich in fats and affect the nutrient need of cockatiels’ body.
Along with seeds and pellets, cockatiels can eat fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts etc. But, nuts and daily products should served in small quantities to cockatiels. Each cockatiel species has its own preference about the food. Always keep the human food away from the reach of cockatiels. Make sure that all the food items should be fresh.
Fruits
Fruits are essential for cockatiels. As an owner, you should serve fresh fruits on a daily basis to boost your parrots health. First of all, it is better to understand know the taste of your cockatiel. So, start serving with small pieces of fruit in small amounts to the cockatiels. If your cockatiel rejects any fruit, then you should be patient. Almost all fruits are safe for cockatiels, except the fruits in which seeds are in it.
- Blueberry
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Orange
- Dragon Fruit
- Kiwi
- Strawberry
- Mango
- Banana
- Tomato
- Coconut
- Grapes
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Papaya
- Pear
Before serving any fruit to cockatiel, it is better to first wash it to avoid germs. You should cut the fruit in small pieces and according to the likeness of your cockatiel. If fresh fruits are not available, then you can serve dried fruits to cockatiels.
Vegetables
Along with fruits, you can also serve different vegetables to your cockatiel daily. The rule is the same for serving vegetables to cockatiels. Leafy green vegetables are the best option for cockatiels to eat. As, it promotes a lot of health benefits to your feathery friend. Start serving with a very small amount and then increase the quantity of vegetables. The vegetables safe and healthy for cockatiels are:
- Cauliflower
- Mustard Greens
- Parsley
- Carrot
- Corn
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Lettuce
- Green Beans
- Radish
- Cucumber
- Potatoes
- Asparagus
- Celery
- Pumpkin
- Kale
- Peas
Cockatiel can eat cooked, boiled, frozen and fresh vegetables. If you serve fresh vegetables, then it is better to wash it. Cut in various shapes and serve it to cockatiels. While making cooked vegetables for cockatiels, never add salt and spices in it.
Grains
Grains are safe for cockatiels. But it should served in moderation or very small amounts to cockatiels. Here, I will tell you the names of grains that are safe for cockatiel species to consume in their food.
- Oats
- Wheat
- Barley
- Quinoa
- Brown Rice
- Cooked Pasta
Proteins
Proteins are essential for cockatiels good health. You should serve protein to the cockatiels in moderate amounts, during molting. As a cockatiel owner, here, I will tell you some protein based diet suitable for cockatiel species.
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Egg
- Fish
- Cheese
- Cooked beans
- Dried beans
- Meat
These protein based diets should washed, before cooking to avoid contagious diseases. It should be fresh and cooked to avoid any health issues.
Water
As a cocktail owner, you should serve water to your cockatiel. Water should be available to your cockatiel all the time. Water should be clean and pure. You can give tap water as well as bottled water to the cockatiels.
What Food Cockatiels Cannot Eat?
Cockatiels eat human foods including fruits, beans, nuts, grains, water, leafy vegetables etc. But, there are some fruits, vegetables and other food items that are toxic for cockatiels. The food that is rich in salt, spices, fats and oil should avoided to cockatiels. These food items include chips, snacks, crackers, white pasta, bread etc.
The food that is rich in caffeine and alcohol are also avoided for cockatiels. As a cockatiel owner for 8 years, I will tell you the names of food items that are toxic for cockatiels:
- Plums
- Avocado
- White Pasta
- Garlic
- Raw rhubarb
- Apricot pits
- Cherries pits
- French Fries
- Chocolate
- Apple seeds
- Onion
- Peach pit
- Eggplant
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can Cockatiels Eat Seeds?
Yes, cockatiels can eat seeds. Eating seeds is fun for cockatiels. Seeds are actually human food. It is safe for cockatiels to eat, but, only in small amounts. It is delicious and nutrient rich, but, has some nutrients in excess. It causes health issues in cockatiels.
Some cockatiels don’t eat only pellets. They like to eat pellets along with seeds as it tastes delicious. For adult cockatiels, it is risky to eat only seeds. Because it will cause obesity and over weightening in them. It will also cause deficiency of various nutrients in the cockatiel’s body.
As a cockatiel owner, you should serve seeds along with fruits and vegetables. It will give good health to your cockatiel. If any health issue appears after balanced diet, then consult the veterinary doctor.
What Do Wild Cockatiels Eat?
Wild cockatiels eat all types of food. It includes various seeds, grass, fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, daily products etc. But, the eating habit of cockatiels depends upon the availability of food. It also depends upon the season which is going on.
Final Thought
Pet cockatiels have good options in eating a variety of food. As this food is healthy and nutrient rich as compared to food for wild cockatiels. Human foods are safe for cockatiels, but you should completely know which human food is safe for them. If you are confuse about serving any food to your cutie pie, it is better to see the opinion of a veterinarian.
Fresh, cooked and uncooked food is safe for cockatiels. Avoid spices and preservatives to add in cockatiel food, as it is toxic for them. For happy and healthy life, you should serve all the food in suitable amount to your cockatiels.
If you have any difficulty, text me in the comment box, I will reply to you soon. Thanks for reading!
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I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!