About feeding a cockatoo
Cockatoos are large, demanding, long-lived parrots that are prone to obesity and to plucking when bored — diet and enrichment go hand in hand.
How much should a cockatoo 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 |
|---|---|
| 300 g | 52 kcal |
| 400 g | 65 kcal |
| 500 g | 77 kcal |
| 600 g | 88 kcal |
| 700 g | 99 kcal |
| 800 g | 109 kcal |
| 900 g | 119 kcal |
| 1 kg | 129 kcal |
What to feed
A formulated pellet base with abundant vegetables, limited fruit and very limited nuts and seeds. Foraging enrichment helps manage both weight and behaviour.
How often to feed
Offer fresh pellets and vegetables daily, using foraging toys to slow intake.
Frequently asked questions
What should I feed a cockatoo?
A pellet base with lots of vegetables, limited fruit, and only small amounts of high-fat nuts and seeds. Foraging toys spread the meal out and support mental health.
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.