What to Feed Your Cockatiel — Complete Diet & Nutrition Guide

Whether you're searching for a cockatiel parrot for sale or already have one at home, the first question is always the same: what do I feed it?

Most owners start with seeds — and never move beyond them. A seeds-only diet is one of the most common causes of early illness, dull plumage, and shortened lifespan in cockatiels.

After years of raising and breeding cockatiels at Biki's Aviary in Kolkata, here is everything we know about feeding them right. For the full care picture, read our Complete Cockatiel Care Guide.

What you'll find here:

1. The ideal diet breakdown 2. Best vegetables to offer 3. Safe fruits 4. Toxic foods — never feed these 5. Where to buy good food in Kolkata 6. Daily feeding schedule 7. Common feeding mistakes

1. The Ideal Cockatiel Diet

In the wild, cockatiels eat grass seeds, flowers, fruit and insects. A captive diet must reflect this variety.

•      Pellets (40–50%): The most nutritionally complete option. Choose a veterinary-approved brand.

•      Seed mix (25–30%): Millet, canary seed, small amount of sunflower. Seeds as part of the diet, not the whole diet.

•      Fresh vegetables (15–20%): A small portion every day.

•      Fresh fruit (5–10%): 3–4 times a week.

•      Treats (under 5%): Millet spray, small piece of boiled egg — occasional only.

Important:

Never switch the diet abruptly. Introduce new foods gradually over 2–4 weeks to avoid digestive upset.

2. Best Vegetables for Cockatiels

Vegetables are the primary source of Vitamin A, calcium and minerals that seeds cannot provide. Offer a small portion daily.

•      Spinach: Iron and vitamin K — widely available in Kolkata

•      Carrot: Beta-carotene — excellent for feather condition and eye health

•      Broccoli: High in calcium and vitamin C

•      Coriander leaves: Easily available locally, cockatiels generally enjoy it

•      Pumpkin: Beta-carotene and fibre

•      Cabbage: Offer tender inner leaves

•      Raw corn: Good occasional treat

Soak vegetables in lightly salted water for 5 minutes to reduce pesticide residue, then rinse clean before serving.

3. Safe Fruits

Fruit is a treat — offered a few times a week, not daily. The sugar content can cause problems in excess.

•      Mango: Vitamin A and C — particularly enjoyed during Kolkata summers

•      Guava: Excellent vitamin C source, available year-round

•      Apple: Remove all seeds before offering — apple seeds contain cyanide

•      Watermelon: Good hydration during hot months

•      Papaya: Aids digestion

•      Pear: Remove seeds — safe in small amounts

Citrus fruits are highly acidic. If offered at all, keep portions very small.

4. Toxic Foods — Never Feed These

Memorise this list. Some of these can cause death from a single small serving.

•      ❌ Avocado: Fully toxic — even a small amount can be fatal within hours

•      ❌ Chocolate and caffeine: Destroys the nervous system

•      ❌ Onion and garlic: Causes haemolytic anaemia

•      ❌ Grapes and raisins: Cause kidney failure

•      ❌ Apple, cherry, plum seeds: Contain cyanide compounds

•      ❌ Mushrooms: Cause liver damage

•      ❌ Alcohol and salt: Harmful in any quantity

•      ❌ Rhubarb: Oxalic acid — toxic to kidneys

Emergency:

If your bird accidentally eats any toxic food, take it to an avian vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms.

5. Where to Buy Good Cockatiel Food in Kolkata

•      Galiff Street bird market — seeds and millet spray

•      Well-stocked pet shops — Harrison's or Zupreem brand pellets

•      Local markets or Reliance Fresh — fresh vegetables and fruit

•      Amazon India or Heads Up For Tails — imported pellets online

Unsure what to buy? Contact Biki's Aviary and we'll point you in the right direction.

6. Daily Feeding Schedule

Morning (7–9 AM)

•      Replace water — fresh water every single day

•      Offer fresh vegetables — a small portion

•      Top up pellets

Afternoon (4–6 PM)

•      Seeds — measured portion, not free-flowing

•      Fresh fruit 3–4 times per week

Evening

•      Remove all leftover fresh food — spoiled food causes illness

•      Leave pellets in overnight

In Kolkata's heat, remove uneaten fresh food after 2–3 hours, especially during summer.

7. Common Feeding Mistakes

•      Seeds-only diet: The single most common mistake. Causes slow malnutrition.

•      Too many sunflower seeds: High fat — offer sparingly as part of a mix.

•      Sharing human food: Salt, spices, oil — all harmful to birds.

•      No variety: Rotate vegetables and fruits for better health outcomes.

Over-supplementing: If your bird eats good pellets, additional vitamins are usually unnecessary.

FAQ

My cockatiel refuses pellets. What do I do?

Mix pellets with seeds and gradually increase the pellet ratio while reducing seeds over 2–4 weeks. Most birds convert with patience.

How much should I feed per day?

One to two teaspoons of seeds and pellets combined, plus a small portion of fresh food. Adjust based on what is left over.

Can I give rice or bread?

Plain cooked rice (unsalted) is fine in small amounts. Plain wholegrain bread occasionally. Avoid anything seasoned, buttered, or processed.

Final Thoughts

What you feed your cockatiel directly determines how long and how well it lives. Looking for a healthy, well-nourished cockatiel parrot for sale from a trusted breeder in Kolkata? Get in touch with Biki's Aviary.

For the full care picture — cage setup, training, health, breeding and more — read our Complete Cockatiel Care Guide.

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