Can cockatiels eat fruit pits?

Better not: cockatiels shouldn’t eat fruit pits. According to the AAV, the seeds of cherries, peaches, apricots, plums and apples contain small amounts of cyanide. An occasional apple seed won’t harm your bird, the AAV says, but you shouldn’t give fruit seeds on purpose. In a blog post, the AAV goes further: the pits and seeds of apricots, peaches, plums, cherries, pears and apples should never be fed to pet birds. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises against feeding apple seeds to birds.

Good to know: If your cockatiel got hold of fruit pits or seems unwell, the AAV says to get help from an avian vet immediately, even if you only suspect it.