Kensington Aviary
Bird Knowledge

A high-quality cockatiel pellet or formulated diet is designed to provide balanced nutrition in each bite. Pellets help reduce the problem of selective eating, where a bird picks out only favorite seeds and leaves the healthier parts behind.

Do not suddenly remove all seeds from a bird that is used to them. Some cockatiels do not recognize pellets as food immediately. A sudden diet change can reduce appetite, especially in a newly rehomed bird. Offer pellets alongside familiar seed and gradually increase the pellet portion over time.

• Introduce pellets when the bird is calm and eating well.
• Offer fresh pellets daily rather than letting old food sit for many days.
• Use seed and millet as transition tools instead of eliminating them abruptly.
• Watch actual eating, not just food disappearance; birds may hull seeds and leave debris that looks like food.

Seeds are not “bad,” but they should not be the entire diet. Cockatiels are strongly attracted to seeds, especially millet and high-fat seeds, so an unlimited seed bowl often leads to selective eating. Seed can remain part of the diet, but it works best as a controlled portion, a training reward, or a familiar transition food.

Vegetables are usually the best fresh foods to offer cockatiels. Wash them well, chop them into manageable pieces, and serve them plain. Do not add salt, oil, butter, dressing, garlic, onion, or seasoning.

• 🥬 Leafy greens: kale, romaine, collard greens, dandelion greens, mustard greens
• 🥦 Green vegetables: broccoli, green beans, snow peas, zucchini
• 🥕 Orange/yellow vegetables: carrot, cooked sweet potato, yellow squash, bell pepper
• 🌽 Occasional extras: corn in small amounts, cucumber, cauliflower
• 🌿 Herbs/greens: parsley or Swiss chard in moderation

New foods may be ignored at first. Offer small amounts repeatedly and eat your own safe vegetables nearby so the bird can observe. Cockatiels often need repeated exposure before accepting a new food.

Fruit can be offered in small amounts, but it should not replace vegetables. Fruit is higher in sugar and many cockatiels will choose it over healthier foods if given too often.

• Safe options include apple without seeds, banana, berries, mango, papaya, melon, and small pieces of grape or orange.
• Remove all pits from peach, apricot, plum, cherry, and similar fruits.
• Remove apple seeds before feeding apple pieces.
• Offer fruit as a small treat, not a daily large portion.
• Remove fresh fruit before it spoils.

Fresh water should be available at all times. Many cockatiels dunk food in the water bowl, so water can become dirty quickly. Wash bowls daily, and more often if they are contaminated with food or droppings.

• Use separate bowls for dry food, fresh food, and water.
• Place bowls where droppings will not fall into them.
• Remove fresh foods before they spoil, usually within a couple of hours.
• Check the food cup daily; empty seed hulls can make the bowl look full.
• Do not rely on vitamins in water unless directed by a veterinarian; they can encourage bacterial growth and reduce water intake if the taste changes.