Best Food for Cockatiels
Cockatiels are one of the most popular pet birds, and many of them live on seed alone. Seeds are a natural food for cockatiels, but a seed-only diet is high in fat and low in vitamins, so a better mix makes a real difference over a cockatiel's long life.
What cockatiels need
- More than seed. Adding fortified pellets and produce to the seed they love fills nutritional gaps.
- Vitamin A. Carrots, sweet potato and dark leafy greens are great additions.
- Calcium and minerals. Especially important for hens that lay eggs.
Our pick: Ultimate Blend III (Seed)
Blend III is made for small birds like cockatiels. It keeps the seeds cockatiels enjoy and adds what plain seed is missing:
- Small fortified pellets
- Freeze-dried peas and dehydrated carrot chips
- Mango, papaya and pineapple granules and dehydrated apple
- Oats, flax seed and pumpkin seeds
- White proso millet, canary grass seed and sunflower seeds
- Ground limestone for calcium
Shop: By the pound · 5 lb bag · 10 lb bag · 20 lb bag
Switching to a new food
Because Blend III still contains familiar seeds, most cockatiels take to it easily. Mix it with your bird's current food and increase it gradually over two to four weeks.
Keep about two weeks' supply at room temperature in a sealed container and refrigerate the rest. Don't freeze it.
More species guides
See food guides for every bird we carry
Every bird is different. If your bird has a health condition or you're making a big change to its diet, check with an avian veterinarian.