Can cockatiels eat nuts?

Yes, but only unsalted and a little: cockatiels can eat nuts. The RSPCA says it’s best to give parrots nuts only occasionally, in very small amounts. It mentions them as a reward, for example, and suggests whole nuts to crack open for enrichment. NC State calls seeds and nuts great treats to use sparingly, and Purdue counts nuts as “dessert,” the last 5% of the diet.

How to serve it: unsalted, a tiny piece

Good to know: The AAV notes that seeds and nuts are high in fat, and Merck names high-fat diets as one cause of obesity. None of our sources names individual nuts such as walnuts, hazelnuts or almonds as food – Purdue suggests fresh nutshells, such as walnut shells, to keep birds busy. Peanuts have their own page.