What can budgies (parakeets) eat?

Avocado, fruit pits and apple seeds, onions, garlic, rhubarb, chocolate, coffee and other caffeinated drinks, and alcohol (AAV, Merck Veterinary Manual, Purdue, RSPCA Australia). Highly salted food is rated “Better not,” but the AAV warns that salt poisoning can occur. If your budgie ate some or seems unwell, the AAV says to get help from an avian vet immediately, even if you only suspect it.

Sources disagree. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT), the German Animal Welfare Federation and the Swiss animal welfare society (STS) name a seed mix as the basis, for example with millet, canary seed and grass seeds (TVT); according to Switzerland’s federal veterinary office (BLV), budgies mainly eat dry grasses and seeds. The AAV, the RSPCA, the Merck Veterinary Manual, UC Davis, NC State and Purdue recommend pellets as a large part of the diet instead; according to Merck, birds tend to pick the tastier seeds and nuts out of a mix. For small birds such as budgies, though, Merck suggests 40 to 50% pellets and 30 to 40% seed mix, and the RSPCA says small parrots such as budgies need some seeds every day, but no more than a tenth of their diet. RSPCA Australia names budgies as an exception that can run into problems if they eat too much of a formulated diet, and the AAV says not every bird does best on a formulated diet – ask an avian vet before changing the diet.

The German Animal Welfare Federation suggests one level teaspoon per bird per day in its brochure, and one to two teaspoons on its website. Scatter the seeds on the cage floor so your birds have to work for their food (German Animal Welfare Federation). These are starting points – your budgie’s weight shows whether the amount is right.

Slowly (Merck), and only with a bird that is healthy and not underweight (Merck). Weigh your budgie on an accurate digital scale – every morning before feeding (RSPCA) or several times a week (AAV): it shouldn’t lose more than 5 to 10% of its body weight, and Merck says to call your vet if it loses more than 10%. If your bird looks unwell or develops small black droppings, RSPCA Australia says to feed it some seed immediately; if it doesn’t start eating right away or isn’t improving in a few hours, get veterinary help. An RSPCA tip for budgies: sprinkle the new food over a mirror or white paper so they can see it.

Fresh herbs, grasses and vegetables every day (TVT, German Animal Welfare Federation, STS) – the German Animal Welfare Federation recommends different herbs and at least three kinds of vegetables, washed and pesticide-free. Don’t pick by roadsides or on freshly fertilized meadows (STS), and remove leftovers every day (TVT, German Animal Welfare Federation). UC Davis suggests 25 to 40% vegetables and less than 10% fruit, Merck 10 to 15% vegetables and 5 to 10% fruit. Sources disagree on fruit: the TVT lists it as part of the daily diet, while the German Animal Welfare Federation says only small amounts because of the sugar – so we rate all fruit “Only a little.”

Millet spray is popular but very high in energy: only rarely, says the German Animal Welfare Federation, once a week, says the STS. No seed sticks with honey or sugar (German Animal Welfare Federation). The AAV says treats should make up no more than 10% of what your bird actually eats and are best used for foraging or training.

The German Animal Welfare Federation, the STS, the BLV and Purdue mention cuttlebone or a mineral block. Sources disagree on grit: the TVT, the German Animal Welfare Federation and the STS say grit should always be available, and the BLV says suitable sand helps digestion. Merck, on the other hand, says parrots that hull their seeds don’t need grit. According to Purdue, most avian vets believe grit isn’t necessary, but a small amount does no harm – about a pinch a month, never unlimited.

Fresh drinking water must always be available (German Animal Welfare Federation), clean and changed often (AAV). Throw food away as soon as you suspect mold (German Animal Welfare Federation) – moldy or spoiled leftovers are life-threatening (German Animal Welfare Federation). Moldy or rancid food must not be fed (STS); always use fresh food and store it properly (Merck).

Obesity is a big problem (German Animal Welfare Federation), and budgies in particular put on weight easily (BLV). Weigh your bird once a week (Merck). Weight loss should be slow – no more than one gram a week, says the German Animal Welfare Federation – with more free flight and a change in diet; ask an avian vet (German Animal Welfare Federation).

Yes. The kitchen is no place for a pet bird (German Animal Welfare Federation, Purdue): cooking releases fumes, especially from overheated nonstick pans, that are toxic and often fatal to birds (German Animal Welfare Federation, TVT, AAV, RSPCA Australia, Merck). If your bird is exposed to such fumes and still alive, move it to fresh air immediately and take it to a vet at once (Merck).

Budgies that are visibly sick and not eating should see a vet without delay (STS). If your budgie ate something toxic or seems unwell, the AAV says to get help from an avian vet immediately, even if you only suspect it.

Then we rate it more cautiously and say so. The TVT, for example, lists fruit as part of the daily diet, while the German Animal Welfare Federation says only small amounts – we rate all fruit “Only a little.” UC Davis and Purdue mention citrus fruits, while the German Animal Welfare Federation calls them unsuitable. Bread, cheese, yogurt and honey appear in advice from Purdue or the RSPCA, while other sources advise against dairy products, salty food, table scraps or seed sticks with honey. All five are rated “Better not.” The AAV says fruit pits and apple seeds should never be fed, though an occasional apple seed won’t harm your bird (“Toxic”). For animal protein, the TVT says only during molting, the STS usually once a week. Sources also disagree on the basic diet (seeds or pellets) and on grit.