Dr Cockatiel Food safety list

Cockatiel Food: Every Food Checked, Plus Diet and Feeding Guides

Every food checked safe or unsafe, plus diet guides and feeding how-tos. 159 guides.

Open the food safety list

Check a food before you offer it

Each guide answers one question: can cockatiels eat it, which parts, and how much. The cockatiel food safety list covers more than 130 foods at a glance. Popular single guides include apples, banana, grapes, broccoli, spinach and sunflower seeds.

Foods to keep away from your bird

Some foods are dangerous in any amount. Avocado, chocolate, onions and coffee are all on the list of foods that are toxic to cockatiels. If your bird has eaten one of them, contact an avian vet immediately, even if it seems fine.

Building the everyday diet

A healthy cockatiel diet is roughly 60% quality pellets, 30% fresh vegetables and greens, and 10% seeds, fruit and treats. Start with cockatiel pellets, add vegetables as chop, and keep snacks and treats small. For more on what each part of the diet provides, read a cockatiel's nutrition requirements.

All 159 cockatiel food guides

Pied cockatiel standing on a log on grass

What Can Cockatiels Eat? 150+ Food Safety List
Pile of mixed bird seed on a wooden table

Can Cockatiels Eat Wild Bird Seed?
Beekeeper lifting a honeycomb frame from a hive

Can Cockatiels Eat Honey? Is It Safe for Them?
Glass of milk on a white surface

Can Cockatiels Drink Milk? Is It Safe?
Fresh green lettuce leaves

Can Cockatiels Eat Lettuce? A Feathery Feast Unraveled
Sprigs of fresh mint on a blue background

Can Cockatiels Eat Mint? Safe Herbs List Included
Fresh tomatoes on the vine

Can Cockatiels Eat Tomatoes?
Half a white cabbage on a plain background

Can Cockatiels Eat Cabbage?
Lemons and limes arranged with leaves on a white surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Lemon? Safe but Rarely Worth It
Roast turkey on a serving platter

Can Cockatiels Eat Turkey? Tips from Dr Cockatiel
Assorted dried mushrooms arranged on a white surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Mushrooms? A Comprehensive Guide
Salted pretzels on a green background

Can Cockatiels Eat Pretzels? A Nutrition Guide for Your Pet
Cup of black tea with loose tea leaves scattered around it

Can Cockatiels Drink Tea?
Aloe vera plant growing in a terracotta pot

Can Cockatiels Eat Aloe Vera? What You Need to Know
Dried red kidney beans

Can Cockatiels Eat Kidney Beans?
An avocado cut in half showing the stone

Can Cockatiels Eat Avocado? Is It Safe?
Wedge of cheese on a board with tomatoes and basil

Can Cockatiels Eat Cheese? 7 Types Compared
Person holding red apples in cupped hands

Can Cockatiels Eat Strawberries
Two cockatiels perched on branches in an aviary

Can Cockatiels Eat Grapes? (6 Important Things To Remember)
Fresh coriander growing in a garden

Can Cockatiels Eat Parsley? A Comprehensive Guide
Bowl of cooked white rice

Can Cockatiels Eat Rice? Cooked vs Uncooked
Slices of watermelon on a green background

Can Cockatiels Eat Watermelon?
Cream crackers on a grey plate

Can Cockatiels Eat Crackers? (Is It Good or Bad?)
Fresh asparagus spears on a wooden board

Can Cockatiels Eat Asparagus? (4 Things To Know)
Cockatiel perched inside a cage seen through the bars

Can Cockatiels Eat Spinach? 5 Healthy Recipes
Squares of dark chocolate on a white plate

Can Cockatiels Eat Chocolate? The Surprising Answer
Grey cockatiel perched on a cage bar

Can Cockatiels Eat Kiwi? What to Feed Your Pet Bird
Bowl of fresh green peas

Can Cockatiels Eat Peas? (6 Important Things To Know)
Fresh green beans in a crate

Can Cockatiels Eat Green Beans? Yes - Raw or Steamed
Uncooked fusilli pasta

Can Cockatiels Eat Noodles?
Alfalfa sprouts growing in a seedling tray

Can Cockatiels Eat Alfalfa Sprouts? Benefits & Risks
Bowl of ring-shaped oat cereal with a spoon

Can Cockatiels Eat Cheerios?
Bulbs of garlic in a pile

Can Cockatiels Eat Garlic?
Cockatiel perched on a branch with its crest raised

Can Cockatiels Eat Potato Chips? Know Their Diet
Plate of roasted potato wedges on a table

Can Cockatiels Eat Sweet Potato? (Cooked vs Raw)
Fresh red cranberries

Can Cockatiels Eat Dried Cranberries? (Is It Even Safe?)
Dried chickpeas spread on a metal tray

Can Cockatiels Eat Chickpeas? Cooked, Canned & Sprouted
Two cockatiels feeding from a shared bowl

Can Cockatiels Eat Bacon?
Cut leek stems standing upright

Can Cockatiels Eat Leeks?
Brown and red onions in a pile

Can Cockatiels Eat Onions?
Fresh ginger root on a chopping board

Can Cockatiels Eat Ginger? Benefits and Risks
A large pile of fresh carrots

Can Cockatiels Eat Carrots? (Answer, Benefits and Concerns)
Dish of raisins and nuts

Can Cockatiels Eat Raisins? A Sweet Treat Unveiled!
Mixed bird seed with a wooden scoop

Cockatiel Pellets: The Best Food for Your Pet Cockatiel
Grey cockatiel perched on a wooden dowel

What Do Cockatiels Eat in the Wild?
Bowl of pumpkin seeds

Can Cockatiels Eat Pumpkin Seeds: Are They Safe For Them?
Sliced zucchini on a wooden board

Can Cockatiels Eat Zucchini?
Bowl of rolled oats on a white surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Oats? Yes - Raw, Cooked & Portions
Ripe blackberries growing on the bush

Can Cockatiels Eat Blackberries? Nutrition and Diet
Fresh arugula leaves

Can Cockatiels Eat Arugula? (5 Important Things To Know)
Bowl of shelled peanuts surrounded by peanuts in their shells

Can Cockatiels Eat Peanuts?
Trays of shelled peanuts at a market

Why Is My Cockatiel Eating So Much?
Bird seed and grain scattered on a tree stump

Can Cockatiels Eat Parakeet Food? (4 Things To Know)
Lavender flowers in bloom

Can Cockatiels Eat Lavender?
Dandelion seed head growing among green leaves

Can Cockatiels Eat Dandelion Leaves?
Sliced eggplant stacked on a white surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Eggplant?
Person whisking eggs in a bowl in a kitchen

Can Cockatiels Eat Scrambled Eggs?
Bowl of mixed nuts and dried fruit

What Nuts Can Cockatiels Eat? Safe List + Portions
Plated dish of seared tuna with garnish

Can Cockatiels Eat Tuna (Is It Safe?)
Rows of coloured mineral blocks and treat cakes

Can Cockatiels Eat Rice Cakes?
Three pears on a grey surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Pears? Serving Size & Safety
Bunches of fresh radishes

Can Cockatiels Eat Radishes? Benefits & Risks
Sliced jalapeno and chilli peppers on a chopping board

Can Cockatiels Eat Jalapenos?
Bone-shaped dog biscuits on a pink background

Can Cockatiels Eat Dog Food?
Bowl of macadamia nuts in their shells

Can Cockatiels Eat Macadamia Nuts?
Cockatiel perched on a wooden play stand

How Long Can a Cockatiel Go Without Food?
Snow pea pods and shelled peas on a wooden board

Can Cockatiels Eat Snow Peas?
Fresh figs, whole and halved, on a cloth

Can Cockatiels Eat Figs? Yes - Fresh & Dried Safely
Jar of peanut butter beside peanuts in their shells

Can Cockatiels eat Peanut Butter?
Grey cockatiel perched on a cage bar

Can Cockatiels Eat Budgie Food? (8 Important Things To Know)
Two cockatiels eating together from a yellow food bowl

Toxic Foods for Cockatiels: The Full List
Close-up of mixed seed and pellet bird food

Cockatiel Nutrition Requirements: Expert Guide
Cockatiel eating seed from a person's cupped hands

What Foods Your Cockatiel Should Avoid: 10 Kinds
Pile of shelled almonds

Can Cockatiels Eat Almonds?
Bowl of red and green apples on a table

Can Cockatiels Eat Apples? Important Things You Need To Know
Pile of raw potatoes

Can Cockatiels Eat Potatoes? A Comprehensive Guide
Bowl of popcorn spilling onto a table

Can Cockatiels Eat Popcorn? Plain vs Buttered
Hands carving a cooked roast chicken

Can Cockatiels Eat Chicken? Safe Portions
Two cockatiels eating side by side from a bowl

Can Cockatiels Eat Clover?
White blossom on a fruit tree branch

Can Cockatiels Eat Flowers?
Stack of folded newspapers

Can Cockatiels Eat Newspaper?
Purple thistle flower growing in a meadow

Can Cockatiels Eat Thistles?
Dark plums in a wooden bowl

Can Cockatiels Eat Plums? Uncover the Truth
Fresh peaches in a wooden crate

Can Cockatiels Eat Peaches? Guide to Safe Feeding Practices
Close-up of mixed bird seed

Cockatiel Training Treats: Boost Your Bird's Learning Fun
Cooked prawns on a plate

Can Cockatiels Eat Shrimp? Safety & Nutrition Guide
Two bags of Higgins Sunburst fruit and veggie treats for small birds

5 Best Training Treats for Cockatiels
Cockatiel feeding from a person's hand outdoors

Best Pellet Food for Cockatiels
Cockatiel holding food in its foot

Best Diet for Cockatiels: What Owners Really Feed
Stainless steel fruit and vegetable skewer for bird cages

Best Bird Cage Food Skewers: Top Picks
Fresh blueberries

Can Cockatiels Eat Blueberries? (Health Benefits & Tips)
Raw salmon fillets on a kitchen bench

Can Cockatiels Eat Fish? Cooked Yes - Safe Types
Cockatiel perched on a mossy branch in a garden

Can Cockatiels Eat Eggs?
Cockatiel perched on a branch outdoors

Can Cockatiels Eat Cucumbers? 3 Health Benefits
Baby cockatiel being hand-fed formula with a syringe

When Can Baby Cockatiels Eat Seed? The Complete Guide
Fresh basil plant growing in a pot

Can Cockatiels Eat Basil? Safe Herbs Explained
A whole orange pumpkin

Can Cockatiels Eat Pumpkin?
Two lutino cockatiels huddled together on a branch

Can Cockatiels Survive in Cold Weather?
Lutino cockatiel gripping the side of its cage

Can Cockatiels Eat Sesame Seeds?
Two cockatiels eating from a yellow bowl

Can Cockatiels Eat Grass? Everything You Need to Know
Pile of dried dates

Can Cockatiels Eat Dates?
Eucalyptus stems in a vase against a white wall

Can Cockatiels Eat Eucalyptus Leaves?
Freshly harvested green and black olives

Can Cockatiels Eat Olives? Explore the Surprising Truth
Ice cream cone with sprinkles

Can Cockatiels Eat Ice Cream?
Cup of coffee on a saucer with scattered coffee beans

Can Cockatiels Drink Coffee?
Glass of coconut water beside a halved coconut

Can Cockatiels Drink Coconut Water?
Bunches of bananas hanging at a market stall

Can Cockatiels Eat Banana? (6 Things to Learn)
Diced fresh mango on a plate

Can Cockatiels Eat Mango? (4 Important Things To Know)
Bunch of fresh coriander leaves

Can Cockatiels Eat Cilantro? 5 Things To Keep In Mind
Red, yellow and green bell peppers

Can Cockatiels Eat Bell Peppers? Yes - Even the Seeds
Cockatiel perched on a wooden branch beside its cage

Can Cockatiels Eat Pineapple?
Live mealworms in a metal bowl

Can Cockatiels Eat Mealworms? Is It Even Safe?
Cockatiel perched on a snow-covered branch

Can Cockatiels Eat Bread? What to Know First
Mandarins ripening on a tree

Can Cockatiels Eat Oranges? Pet Bird Nutrition Guide
Green coconuts growing on a palm tree

Can Cockatiels Eat Coconut? Fresh vs Dried vs Water
Bunch of celery on a dark background

Can Cockatiels Eat Celery?
Bowl of fresh cherries

Can Cockatiels Eat Cherries? (Is It Good For Them?)
Uncooked red and white quinoa

Can Cockatiels Eat Quinoa? Yes - How to Prepare It
Half a pomegranate surrounded by seeds

Can Cockatiels Eat Pomegranate? Yes - Seeds & All
Whiteface cockatiel perched on a person's finger

Can Cockatiels Eat Pistachios? Benefits and Risks Explained
Apples, grapes and pears arranged together

Can Cockatiels Eat Raspberries? Things You Need to Know
Fresh broccoli florets

Can Cockatiels Eat Broccoli? (Is It Safe?)
Chia seeds spilling from a wooden spoon

Can Cockatiels Eat Chia Seeds? Dry vs Soaked, Daily Limit
Whole walnuts in their shells arranged on a surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Walnuts? Yes - Portion Limits
Fresh curly kale leaves

Can Cockatiels Eat Kale?
Whole cauliflower in a wooden crate

Can Cockatiels Eat Cauliflower?
Slices of cantaloupe melon arranged on a white plate

Can Cockatiels Eat Cantaloupe?
Cinnamon sticks and star anise in a basket

Can Cockatiels Eat Cinnamon?
Bowl of roasted cashew nuts

Can Cockatiels Eat Cashews? 5 Things to Know
Fresh beetroot with stems on a wooden surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Beetroot? Yes - Root, Leaves & All
Red lentils spilling from a cloth bag with a wooden scoop

Can Cockatiels Eat Lentils? Cooked Yes, Raw No
Raw chicken breasts in a bowl on a kitchen bench

Can Cockatiels Eat Meat?
Scattered pecans and shelled nuts

Can Cockatiels Eat Pecans?
Ripe oranges growing on a tree

Can Cockatiels Eat Mandarins? Yes - In Small Amounts
Bowl of shelled sunflower seeds

Can Cockatiels Eat Sunflower Seeds?
Fresh apricots on a board with leaves and blossom

Can Cockatiels Eat Apricots?
Sweetcorn kernels in a metal strainer

Can Cockatiels Eat Corn? Fresh, Frozen & Cob
Whiteface cockatiel perched on a person's finger outdoors

Can Cockatiels Eat Dragon Fruit? Serving Size & Benefits
Pale cockatiel perched on a branch against a dark background

Can Cockatiels Eat Fennel?
Wheat breakfast biscuits in a dish on a table

Can Cockatiels Eat Weetbix? What Aussie Vets Say
Lemongrass stalks and a slice of lime

Can Cockatiels Eat Lemongrass?
Green papayas growing on a tree

Can Cockatiels Eat Papaya? (Comprehensive Guide)
Grey cockatiel perched in front of a window

Can Cockatiels Eat Guava?
Plate of hot chips

Can Cockatiels Eat French Fries? 
Fennel seeds in a small glass bowl with a spoon

Can Cockatiels Eat Flax Seeds? All You Need to Know
Slices of grapefruit and orange

Can Cockatiels Eat Grapefruit?
Jackfruit growing on a tree

Can Cockatiels Eat Jackfruit? Safe Amount, Prep & Risks
Raw salmon fillet on a white surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Salmon?
Fresh lychees on a dark surface

Can Cockatiels Eat Lychees?
Cockatiel perched on a branch inside an aviary

Can Cockatiels Eat Brussel Sprouts?
Bowl of hazelnuts on a checked cloth with nutcrackers

Can Cockatiels Eat Hazelnuts? 
Three cockatiels perched in a row outdoors

Can Cockatiels Eat Pasta? A Guide to Their Dietary Needs
Bean sprouts growing against a red background

Can Cockatiels Eat Bean Sprouts?
Two cockatiels feeding at a seed dispenser in an aviary

Can Cockatiels Eat Yogurt?
Cockatiel with its wings spread over a tray of seed

Feeding Your Feathered Friend: Do Cockatiels Eat Insects?
Two cockatiels standing close together indoors

Chop for Cockatiels: What Is It and How Do I Make It?
Fresh fruit and vegetables displayed in a supermarket

Top Picks: Best Human Food for Cockatiels
Automatic seed dispenser clipped to a cage

Best Automatic Bird Feeders for Cages: Top Picks
Cockatiel standing on a cage beside a bowl of seed

Best Cockatiel Treat Sticks for Healthy and Happy Birds

Frequently asked questions

What do cockatiels eat?

A healthy cockatiel diet is roughly 60% quality pellets, 30% fresh vegetables and greens, and 10% seeds, fruit and treats. Fruit is high in sugar, so keep portions small.

Which foods are toxic to cockatiels?

Avocado, chocolate, onions, garlic, caffeine and alcohol are among the foods cockatiels should never be given. Check any new food against the food safety list before offering it.

Is it an emergency if my cockatiel stops eating?

Yes. A cockatiel that stops eating needs an avian vet within 24 hours.

How do I check whether a food is safe?

Look it up in the food safety list, which rates more than 130 foods, or open the single guide for that food to see which parts are safe and how much to give.