If you want your cockatiel to live a long and healthy life then there are a few things you need to know about its diet and nutrition. Native to Australia, the best foods for your cockatiel are ones that mimic the nutrition that these birds would get in the wild. So keep reading on and we’ll show which are the best cockatiel foods to buy as well as supplementary foods to enhance this diet.
Comparison of Cockatiel Foods
| Name | Image | Price | Type |  Our Rating | Our Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZuPreem Natural Bird Food |  | Check Price | Pellets | 5/5 | Best Overall |
| RoudyBush Daily Maintenance Crumble |  | Check Price | Pellets | 2.5/5 | |
| Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries |  | Check Price | Berries | 4.5/5 | Recommended |
| Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Fine |  | Check Price | Pellets | 4/5 | |
| TOP’s Parrot Food |  | Check Price | Pellets | 3.5/5 |
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Cockatiel Food Guide
Cockatiel Diet & Nutrition
The majority of a cockatiel’s diet (around 70%) should be made up of cockatiel pellets with the remaining 30% dedicated to fruits and vegetables. Cockatiel treats, such as bird seed, should only be given very sparingly and should not form a big part of the bird’s diet.
Cockatiel Food List: Pellets, Fruit & Vegetables
Fruit and vegetables should be served as fresh as possible whereas pellets can be stored for a longer time. However, seal your pellet bags to prevent bugs in bird seed. Listed below are recommendations for pellets, fruit, and vegetables.
Pellets
A good cockatiel pellet is designed to mimic the nutrition of the foods that a cockatiel would experience in nature. Some of the best pellet based cockatiel foods we could find are listed below:
- ZuPreem Natural Bird Food
- RoudyBush Daily Maintenance Crumble
- Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries
- Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Fine
- TOP’s Parrot Food
Detailed reviews for each of these pellets can be found below.
Fruit
Recommended fruits include the following:
- Apples (remove any seeds)
- Bananas
- Oranges
- Blueberries
- Melon
- Plums
- Watermelon
Vegetables
Vegetables you might want to consider feeding your cockatiels are:
- Lettuce
- Cucumbers
- Broccoli
- Carrots
- Leafy vegetables (spinach and kale in low amounts)
Fresh water
The water for your cockatiels should be changed each day to prevent it from going stale and accumulating bacteria. Also, if it is an open tray then it shouldn’t be placed at the bottom of the cage and then bird mess could enter the water supply. It is better to have the water placed higher up or use a water dispenser.
Foods to avoid
- Avocado
- Rhubarb
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Tea leaves
- Coffee beans
Other views on what not to feed a cockatiel can be seen in the video below:
Reviews of the 5 Best Cockatiel Food Brands
When reviewing these cockatiel foods, we looked at their nutritional profile, how organic they were, whether the bird seemed to like the food, and the price.
1. ZuPreem Natural Bird Food
Our Rating
5 out of 5
This natural mix from ZuPreem is specially designed for cockatiels, lovebirds, conures, and quakers. With a broad nutritional profile, it has the right mix to keep your bird healthy and includes protein, fiber, fat, and moisture. Without any artificial colorings added to the food it looks dull, but don’t be fooled, this is healthier for your birds. Fortified with vitamins and minerals, this is a great everyday mix to feed your cockatiel. Top notch quality and affordable as well.
- Provides a one-stop shop for a bird’s nutritional needs.
- Pellet size is just right for cockatiels and not too big.
- Doesn’t have an artificial flavoring.
- Good quality food for an affordable price.
- Aids birds in growing a healthy set of feathers.
- Will go off if not stored properly.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
2. RoudyBush Daily Maintenance Crumble
Our Rating
2.5 out of 5
This RoudyBush cockatiel feed used to be one of the best bird foods amongst small bird owners and was a bestseller. Then the company in charge decided to change its formula which caused a color change in the pellets. Some customers’ birds that were eating the previous pellets then began refusing to eat the new version. However, you may still be able to introduce your cockatiel to this food if they’re unfamiliar with the old formula.
- No artificial flavorings or colorings.
- Available in a range of pellet sizes (small, medium, large, etc.).
- Over the last few years, they changed their pellet formula.
- Customers now report that their birds are unwilling to eat this food.
- Some users have reported packaging difficulties.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
3. Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries
Our Rating
4.5 out of 5
A bestseller from Lafeber, these nutri-berries are so popular because birds just love to eat them. What’s more, they’re a fairly healthy treat for your cockatiel. The berries are produced in a unique way, whereby the seeds are hulled before being used. Made from ingredients that are GMO-free, with no flavorings, preservatives or colorings added.
- Provides a great sensory experience for cockatiels and it’s rare to find a bird that doesn’t like the taste.
- Sealable container provides good storage for the food.
- Has a broad nutritional profile for a treat.
- One package will last a long time when used as a supplemental food.
- Can assist with mineral deficiencies.
- The berries are prone to clumping.
- Shouldn’t really be used as a staple and instead are more of a treat.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
4. Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Fine
Our Rating
4 out of 5
Harrison’s are a company known for producing bird foods at the higher end of the market, which means better quality but also a bit more pricey. This bird feed mix comes “fine” in size meaning that it’s small and easy for cockatiels to eat. Whilst the coloring of the food doesn’t look great, this is just because the food is organic and so no artificial colors have been added. Ideal for maintaining the health of an adult pet bird.
- USA NOP Organic certified.
- Works well for improving the feather vibrancy.
- Ideal for maintaining a bird’s health throughout the year.
- Cockatiels seem to enjoy the taste.
- Might be out of the budget range for some people.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
5. TOP’s Parrot Food
Our Rating
3.5 out of 5
Another bird food that comes from very organic sources and is GMO free. This feed has a short shelf life once opened but this is what you get when buying an organic food free from preservatives. Not as well known as other bird foods, TOP’s still has a good reputation for producing high-end food from good quality sources.
- Has a broad nutritional profile for balancing your cockatiel’s diet.
- Corn and soy free.
- Uses organic preservatives such as rosemary, lemon, and orange peel.
- Strong sealed packing keeps the freshness inside the pellets.
- Pellet size might be too large.
- Aimed at larger birds but some cockatiel owners report good success with this feed.
^ Return to comparisons at the top
Loading ...Conclusion
In this article, we examined how good a cockatiel food was based upon how balanced the diet was, it’s organic qualities, how much the bird seemed to like the food and the price. After reviewing a range of the top cockatiel foods available we concluded that the ZuPreem Natural Bird Food is the best cockatiel food available.
To conclude, the Top 5 Best Cockatiel Foods for your pet bird are:
- ZuPreem Natural Bird Food
- RoudyBush Daily Maintenance Crumble
- Lafeber’s Classic Nutri-Berries
- Harrison’s Adult Lifetime Fine
- TOP’s Parrot Food
Further reading
References:
https://www.ncscockatiels.org/
https://www.hbw.com/species/cockatiel-nymphicus-hollandicus
http://www.birdsinbackyards.net/species/Nymphicus-hollandicus
