What Do Cockatiels Eat? NZ Diet Guide
A healthy cockatiel diet is far more than a seed bowl. The right balance of pellets, veg, seed and what to never feed. NZ owner's diet guide.
The quick answer: a healthy cockatiel diet is not just a bowl of seed — an all-seed diet is high in fat and a leading cause of illness in pet birds. Aim for a base of formulated pellets plus fresh vegetables and leafy greens, with seed as a smaller part and treat. Variety and fresh water round it out, and a few foods must be avoided entirely.
The problem with all-seed diets
Seed is tasty (cockatiels love it) but fatty and low in many nutrients. Birds fed only seed commonly become overweight and develop fatty liver and vitamin deficiencies over time. The fix is balance, not banning seed.
A balanced cockatiel diet
- Formulated pellets — a good-quality pellet designed for cockatiels/small parrots makes a solid base, providing balanced nutrition seed can't.
- Fresh vegetables and leafy greens — dark leafy greens, and other veg, daily. These add vitamins and variety.
- Seed mix — fine as a smaller portion and for foraging/training, not the whole diet.
- A cuttlebone or mineral block for calcium.
- Fresh water daily.
If switching a seed-addicted bird to pellets, do it gradually and watch that it's actually eating — birds can stubbornly refuse new food.
Treats (small amounts)
Millet spray is a favourite reward; small pieces of suitable fruit are okay occasionally. Keep treats minor.
Never feed
- Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, onion and garlic — toxic to birds.
- Salty, sugary or fatty human foods, and fruit pips/apple seeds.
- Anything mouldy.
NZ note
Quality pellets and bird veg are easy to source in New Zealand. A varied, mostly-pellet-and-veg diet plus a companion and enrichment keeps cockatiels healthiest — see do budgies need a companion in NZ (the same social principle applies to cockatiels).
Quick takeaways
- All-seed diets cause illness — use pellets + veg as the base.
- Seed is a smaller part and a treat, not the whole diet.
- Offer leafy greens/veg daily, a cuttlebone, and fresh water.
- Never feed avocado, chocolate, caffeine, onion/garlic, or mouldy food.
- Switch to pellets gradually and make sure the bird is eating.
Shop related categories at PetMall
Looking for cockatiel pellets, seed and treats in New Zealand? Browse the PetMall bird range for current options and nationwide delivery.
Related reading
References
- VCA Hospitals — Feeding Cockatiels, checked 2026-07-08: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/cockatiels-feeding
Important notice
*General diet information for NZ owners. For diet changes, weight concerns or signs of illness, consult an avian-savvy NZ vet.*
Related guides
petmall.co.nz
Shop at PetMall
The products below are practical support items for your pet. PetMall ships across New Zealand.
- Bird Food & TreatsA quality seed or pellet base plus fresh veg keeps cage birds healthier than seed alone.
- Bird ToysForaging and chew toys prevent boredom — rotate a few rather than crowding the cage all at once.
- Bird SuppliesA well-sized cage with the right perch variety helps long-term comfort — aim for space to fully stretch wings.