What can cockatiels eat?

We rate six pages “Toxic”: avocado, onions, garlic, chocolate, coffee, tea and caffeine, and alcohol. The AAV’s cockatiel care sheet says cockatiels must not get access to chocolate, avocado, salt or alcohol. The AAV adds that chocolate and caffeine are toxic to birds and that onions and garlic are toxic to many species. Salty food is rated “Better not,” but the AAV warns that salt poisoning can occur. Fruit pits are rated “Better not” here too: according to the AAV, they contain small amounts of cyanide, and while an occasional apple seed won’t harm your bird, you shouldn’t give fruit seeds on purpose. In a blog post, the AAV goes further and says pits and seeds should never be fed to pet birds. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) says poisonous plants such as poinsettia or philodendron must be kept out of reach. Overheated nonstick pans give off toxic fumes, the TVT warns; if your bird breathed them in, Merck says to move it to fresh air immediately and take it to a vet at once. If your cockatiel ate some or seems unwell, the AAV says to get help from an avian vet immediately, even if you only suspect it.

Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) and the Swiss animal welfare society (STS) treat a seed mix made for cockatiels as the staple food. The AAV puts pellets (a formulated diet) first, followed by a good seed mix, plus vegetables and fruit. The Merck Veterinary Manual suggests 40–50% pellets and 30–40% seeds for small birds such as cockatiels. The RSPCA says small parrots like cockatiels need some seeds every day, but no more than a tenth of their diet. RSPCA Australia, on the other hand, notes that some cockatiels run into problems on too much formulated diet. Our sources disagree here; if you’re unsure, the RSPCA suggests talking to your vet.

Every day. Germany’s TVT says fruit and vegetables should be fed daily, and the Swiss STS recommends fresh food daily, such as greens, vegetables and small pieces of fruit. Vegetables should outweigh fruit: Merck suggests 10–15% vegetables and 5–10% fruit for small birds such as cockatiels. The STS also recommends varying the menu a little.

The Swiss STS suggests millet spray as a special treat once a week. It lists protein foods such as sprouts, insects or cooked egg usually once a week in small amounts, while Germany’s TVT says animal protein can be added only during molting and chick rearing, and only in small amounts. NC State calls seeds and nuts great treats to use sparingly, and RSPCA Australia treats fruit and seeds as treats.

Germany’s TVT says drinking water must always be available and water containers should be cleaned thoroughly every day. The Swiss STS says cockatiels need water freely available, offered fresh every day. The AAV recommends clean, fresh water changed often, and NC State says fresh water should be available at all times.

Slowly, with a scale, and only with a healthy bird. The Merck Veterinary Manual says a switch should only be made with a bird that isn’t underweight and isn’t sick; if the bird is under veterinary care for an illness, don’t start one. Before you make any changes, the RSPCA says to talk to your avian vet to make sure your bird is healthy. The AAV says a cockatiel weighing 100 g before the switch shouldn’t lose more than 5–10 g; if it loses more, contact an avian vet. Merck also stresses tracking weight throughout the switch, and NC State suggests introducing new foods gradually in small amounts.

The Swiss STS says birds that are visibly sick and not eating must see a vet without delay. If your cockatiel ate something toxic or seems unwell, the AAV says to get help from an avian vet immediately, even if you only suspect it.

Our sources disagree on grit. Germany’s TVT says grit must always be available, and the Swiss STS says it must be offered in a shallow dish. The Merck Veterinary Manual, however, says parrots that hull their seeds before eating don’t need grit. Purdue says most avian vets consider grit unnecessary, though a pinch a month does no harm – just don’t offer unlimited amounts. Cuttlebone hung on the cage bars gives cockatiels calcium and something to whet their beaks on, the STS says, and Purdue also suggests cuttlebone for smaller caged birds. The STS adds that Swiss law requires bird sand to be freely available.

Then we rate it more cautiously and say so. The TVT lists fruit as part of the daily diet, the STS mentions small pieces, the Merck Veterinary Manual suggests 5–10%, and RSPCA Australia calls fruit a treat – we rate all fruit “Only a little.” The TVT and the STS treat seeds as the staple food, Merck suggests 30–40%, and the RSPCA says cockatiels need some seeds each day, but no more than a tenth of their diet – that’s why millet, sunflower seeds, oats and wheat are rated “Only a little.” The STS, on the other hand, lists grass seed heads with fresh food, so fresh grass is rated “Yes.” The TVT counts millet spray as part of the staple diet, while the STS suggests it once a week as a treat. The STS says cockatiels need protein foods such as sprouts, insects or cooked egg usually once a week, the TVT says animal protein can be added only during molting and chick rearing, and Purdue says meat and dairy together should make up about 5% – we rate meat, insects and eggs “Only a little.” The RSPCA and Purdue mention peanut butter, Purdue cheese and yogurt, and the RSPCA honey as a trick when switching diets, while other sources advise against them – all four are rated “Better not.” Sources also disagree on the staple diet (seeds or pellets) and on grit.