About feeding a cockatiel
Cockatiels are affectionate small parrots prone to obesity and fatty liver on seed-heavy diets. They're also famous for being fussy converters from seed to pellets.
How much should a cockatiel eat?
Calorie needs use the veterinary formula 129 × weight(kg)0.75 (the Resting Energy Requirement), multiplied by a lifestyle factor of ×1 for a typical bird at the life stage shown. Enter your own animal's details in the calculator for an exact figure.
| Body weight | Daily calories |
|---|---|
| 80 g | 19 kcal |
| 86 g | 20 kcal |
| 91 g | 21 kcal |
| 97 g | 22 kcal |
| 103 g | 23 kcal |
| 109 g | 24 kcal |
| 114 g | 25 kcal |
| 120 g | 26 kcal |
What to feed
A pellet-based diet with fresh vegetables and limited seed suits cockatiels. Chop and 'sprouted' veg mixes help fussy birds accept greens.
How often to feed
Offer measured pellets and veg daily; a cockatiel eats roughly 8-12 g of food a day.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I feed a cockatiel?
A cockatiel eats about 8-12 g of food a day. Base the diet on pellets and vegetables with seed as a treat, and monitor weight to catch obesity early.
How much should I feed my bird?
It depends on species: a budgie (30 g) eats roughly 5-8 g of food a day, a cockatiel (90 g) around 8-12 g, and larger parrots proportionally more. Offer measured pellets plus fresh veg and weigh your bird weekly.
Are seeds bad for pet birds?
Seeds aren't toxic, but as a staple they're too fatty and lack vitamins A and calcium. Use them as a small treat and make formulated pellets and vegetables the base of the diet.