Food for Smaller Parrots, such as Cockatiels, Lovebirds, Parrotlets, etc.

Bird Nutrition

The key to a good diet is variety. A cockatiel's diet should consist of a quality small parrot mix (some are listed below), supplemented with various fruits, green foods, millet spray, and occasionally some mealworms (or other forms of protein - as listed below). Ensuring a varied diet for our pet cockatiels may sound easier than it really is. Cockatiels are known for their "pickiness" when it comes to trying out new food items. It is best if fresh foods and a varied diet is provided from early on. But if they did not have that advantage, it does time, patience and persistence! to get them to accept healthy food items.

• One of my favorite tricks is to place a shallow dish on top of their regular food dish (I found some that fit snuggly - so no soft food gets mixed into their actual seed dish). Alternatively, take out the seed dish and exchange it for one filled with fresh food items at those times of the day when your cockatiels are most likely to eat (usually first thing in the morning or in the evening).



• Role modeling: Even the pickiest birds try new foods if they watch other birds eat them ... So a "birdie" role model would be great -- but not everybody has another "willing" bird for that purpose. Human caretakers can also be such a role model. When eating a healthy food item, I usually allow my birds to get their pickings off my plate ...

Base Diet:

• I would start with a good quality (if possible organic) dry food / seed mix. You may want to try this healthy bird food mix: Dr. Harveys ... Just look at the ingredients of that amazing bird food! Dr. Harvey’s was given an award for “Outstanding Service and Commitment To Advancing And Promoting Avian Medicine and Stewardship” by the Association of Avian Veterinarians. By putting together such a quality diet for our birds, I feel he has done more for bird health than anybody else I can think of.
  • Bee Pollen Granules: The ultimate whole food
  • Nuts: Macadamia, Brazil pieces, Almond pieces, Filbert pieces, Cashew pieces, Pecan pieces, Pistachio meats, Pignolia pieces, Walnut pieces
  • Dried Fruit: Banana Chips, Apples, Mango pieces, Coconut Chips, Orange Peel Strips, Raisins, Cranberries
  • Vegetables: Petite peas, Carrots, Celery Stalk & Leaf, Parsley Flakes, Green Beans, Spinach Flakes, Red & Green Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Zucchini
  • Seeds: Canary Grass, White Millet, Canola, Safflower, Sunflower, Niger, Caraway, Hemp, Sesame, Flax
  • Grain: Oat Groats
  • Bean: Soy Bean
  • Herbs: Echinacea Augustifolia, Dandelion Leaf, Red Clover blossoms, Papaya Leaf, Oat Straw, Peppermint Leaf, Calendula Flowers, Red Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa, Fennel Seed, Thyme Leaf, Rose Hips, Rosemary Leaf, Basil Leaf

This bird food mix lacks the harmful additives that are commonly found in commercial mixes and has a great variety of quality ingredients that are not found in other commercially available bird mixes.. You may want to ask your local store to add quality bird food items, such as Dr. Harvey's, to their product line. Oftentimes, bird stores (compared to pet stores) are more than happy to oblige. Bird stores generally have a better selection of bird foods than petstores, but they also carry those brands that contain harmful chemicals. Reading the list of ingredients is really important. The general rule is: if you can't pronounce it -- don't buy it! All ingredients should be natural and healthy.

• Another option: A good quality formulated diet. Vets often recommend Harrison's -- which is a good diet, but mostly available at vet's offices and, as is the case with pellets in general, acceptance may be an issue.

Vegetables and fruits should be part of a cockatiel's daily diet. This includes apples, grapes, many garden vegetables such as spinach, watercress, field lettuce, poppy, chickweed, dandelions, carrots, corn on the cob, peas, endives and sweet potatoes.

• Convenient Sources of Fruits / Veggies:
  • For days when I am too busy to prepare something for my pet birds, I always have available jars of baby food with fruits & vegetables (i.e. Gerbers).


• Sprouting or germinating is an excellent method (and most certainly one of the most cost-effective) of providing nutrient-dense (living) foods to birds. Even those that are less cooperative in eating their daily portions of fresh foods in many cases will enjoy eating sprouted seeds.
  • Sprouted seeds are healthier as the sprouting changes and enhances the nutritional quality and value of seeds and grains. Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
  • Sprouted seeds will help balance your bird’s diet by adding a nutritious supply of high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
  • Soaked and germinated "oil" seeds, like niger and rape seeds, are rich in protein and carbohydrates; while "starch" seeds, such as canary and millets, are rich in carbohydrates, but lower in protein.
  • It is in invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds. Sprouted seeds also serve as a great rearing and weaning food as the softened shell is easier to break by chicks and gets them used to the texture of seeds.

    Sprouting is easy -- this webpage has step-by-step instructions. Simple Sprouts is an excellent sprouting mix, but you can also buy the ingredients at your local health food store and mix a batch yourself ... You can also germinate the sprouting mix - rather than going through the process of sprouting, which may be somewhat intimidating initially. Germinated seeds offer their own unique sets of valuable nutrition and are quicker to obtain and less likely to spoil.



• Superior Nutrition Food:
  • Medicinal Herbs (an excellent herb mix with numerous health-supportive properties -- that birds actually like!)
  • Healthy Dried Fruits & Veggies

Additional proteins should be offered such as cottage cheese, hardboiled eggs, monkey chow, and even dog food.

Peanuts are also a valuable source of protein -- however, peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds and other animals. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Caution is advised when feeding peanuts. Some bird owners, opting to be on the safe side, are eliminating peanuts from their pets' diet.

A cuttlebone, mineral block, gravel and oyster shell can be provided to provide the necessary calcium & minerals

Fresh water should be provided daily.

Never feed: caffeinated drinks, alcoholic beverages, chocolate, pits of most fruits, avocado ... More on "toxic foods"

---

Generic Diets & Additional Food Items: Healthy Bird Treats & Snacks ... Superior Nutrition Food: Herbs Specifically for Bird Health & Healthy Dried Fruits & Veggies - Make Excellent Healthy Bird Treats & Food! ... Cooked Diets ... Splay Millet & Millet Accessories ... Mineral / Calcium Blocks & Accessories

Dr. Harveys Colosssal Cockatiel Food - 2 & 4 lbs Dr. Harvey's Whole Foods for Birds use nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, herbs and bee pollen in unique blends that combine to give your companion bird the balanced nutrition that it needs to maintain health and longevity, vibrant color and remarkable plumage. Bee pollen is so packed with vitamins and amino acids that one tablespoon is the equivalent of three servings of fruits and vegetables. Bee Pollen Granules: The ultimate whole food Nuts: Macadamia, Brazil pieces, Almond pieces, Filbert pieces, Cashew pieces, Pecan pieces, Pistachio meats, Pignolia pieces, Walnut pieces Dried Fruit: Banana Chips, Apples, Mango pieces, Coconut Chips, Orange Peel Strips, Raisins, Cranberries Vegetables: Petite peas, Carrots, Celery Stalk & Leaf, Parsley Flakes, Green Beans, Spinach Flakes, Red & Green Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Zucchini Seeds: Canary Grass, White Millet, Canola, Safflower, Sunflower, Niger, Caraway, Hemp, Sesame, Flax Grain: Oat Groats Bean: Soy Bean Herbs: Echinacea Augustifolia, Dandelion Leaf, Red Clover blossoms, Papaya Leaf, Oat Straw, Peppermint Leaf, Calendula Flowers, Red Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa, Fennel Seed, Thyme Leaf, Rose Hips, Rosemary Leaf, Basil Leaf

Nutri-Berries:. Nutri-Berries were formulated by Dr. T. J. Lafeber and an avian nutritionist. They contain only nutritious natural ingredients-hulled canary seed, red millet and oat groats blended with savory peanuts-rolled into berry-shaped pieces and coated with vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and protein.
Pretty Bird Small Daily Select Extruded Foods: Packed in Nitrogen flushed, Resealable packaging to insure freshness, cleanliness, and freedom from insects. For all types of Cockatiels, Lovebirds, and Parakeets.
Tropical Carnival Gourmet Small Hookbill Food 2.5 lb: Vitamin and mineral enriched food and treat, formulated to provide the proper nutrition your pet requires. Resealable zipper. Tough barrier laminate film combined with CO2 flushing protects products from infestation damage. From mangos to bananas, carrots to peas, pistachios to almonds and pasta to macaroni wheels, we have added only the finest ingredients. Beneficial pro-biotics: Insure proper digestion.
Tropical Carnival Gourmet Cockatiel Lovebird Small Parrot Food: Tropical Carnival Foods are vitamin and mineral enriched food and treat, all in one, formulated to provide the proper nutrition your pet requires. Beneficial pro-biotics: Insure proper digestion Formulated for the active life of your pet.
Nutrition Plus Vitamin and Mineral Fortified Cockatiel Food: Formulated to provide the proper nutrition that your bird requires. Tough barrier laminate film combined with CO2 flushing protects product from infestation damage. Nutrition Plus is vitamin and mineral fortified. We've blended the high grains together and topped it off with our colorful, vitamin-packed shapes. Especially designed seeds and grains used for cockatiels.
Fruit Bites Banquet Super Premium Cockatiel 2 lb Diet: A fun-filled meal and treat, all-in-one! Vitamin fortified diet is jam-packed with real pineapple or papaya fruit bites in zesty fruit flavors. Sweet and crunchy veggie bites.
Fruit Bites Treat Garden Gourmet Veggie 1.5oz: Made with real fruit. Six great combination flavors. Soft and Chewy. Sun-ripened, all natural treat. Sweet, light and crunchy, freeze-dried veggies. Contains: peas, corn, carrots, etc.
Tropical Carnival Gourmet Cockatiel Fruity Treat 8oz: Tropical Carnival Treats are vitamin and mineral enriched food and treat, all in one, formulated to provide the proper nutrition your pet requires. The box is reclosable to maintain freshness. Tough barrier laminate film combined with CO2 flushing protects products from infestation damage. This treat is jam packed with exotic fruits and nuts such as papaya, mango, coconuts, bananas, raisins, almonds, and pistachios, just to name a few. (*AvianWeb Note: Raisins have the potential of toxicity if fed in too high a quantity. Caution is advised)
Farm Fresh Fixins Treat 16oz: Loaded with bushels of garden fresh vegetables. Topped off with nuts, seeds, and sun-ripened fruits. For small animals and parrots.
Birdy Banquet Cooked Diet: Prepare a delicious gourmet banquet for your feathered friend! Pretty Bird's Birdy Banquet is a nutritious and exciting pasta meal for all parrots! A delicous blend of fruit, veggies, beans and other flavors together with tender pasta and a vitamin and mineral supplement make this banquet fit for a winged king!

Foods to Feed Only in Moderation:	Those veggies containing a high amount of oxalates. Some common examples include: spinach, chard, and bok choy. Fruits, which can provide too much sugar in the bird's diet. Diets that are based 100% on cooked beans/grains/pasta. These diets often have too much phosphorus and are very high in calories which can result in an obese bird. The diet should not be based on seeds. Seed diets contain too much fat and are deficient in many nutrients.
Foods you may consider NOT feeding	*Peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds and other animals. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Especially peanuts with dark spots on them should be considered suspect, but even those that look clean and perfect could possibly be contaminated.
Foods to NEVER Feed:	Caffeine Chocolate The pits of most fruits, such as plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines, contain cyanide. Cyanogenic glycosides are enzyme inhibitors that cause nausea, vomiting, and eventually coma Raw Beans: Many raw beans contain a trypsin inhibitor that interferes with protein metabolism; as well as hemaglutin (another toxin). Cooked or sprouted beans are fine. Eggplant, potato, tomato leaves, and green potatoes. Their leaves contain alkaloids that are poisonous for birds. Symptoms of ingestion in a bird include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Avocado: The toxin persin is mostly found in the leaves, rind, and bark from avocado trees. However, even the fruit should be off-limits for pet birds. Persin poisoning causes respiratory distress and heart failure. Nutmeg contains a narcotic, myristicin, that can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting in birds. Rhubarb leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid, an intestinal irritant. Large doses are fatal. Tobacco contains the poisonous alkaloid, nicotine. Birds that ingest tobacco leaves suffer vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and other symptoms.