Can cockatiels eat sunflower seeds?

Yes, but only unsalted and a little: cockatiels can eat sunflower seeds. The Merck Veterinary Manual says many parrots prefer sunflower seeds. According to Merck, they are low in calcium and protein and high in fat. RSPCA Australia puts their fat content at 49%, and NC State says seeds and nuts make great treats but should be used sparingly. Germany’s Veterinary Association for Animal Welfare (TVT) and the Swiss animal welfare society (STS) treat seeds as the staple food. The Merck Veterinary Manual suggests a 30–40% seed mix for small birds such as cockatiels. The RSPCA says cockatiels need some seeds each day, but no more than a tenth of their diet, so we err on the side of caution.

How to serve it: unsalted, just a few seeds

Good to know: The cockatiel care sheets from the TVT and STS don’t mention sunflower seeds specifically.