Cockatiels are an omnivorous species of parrot. The ability to consume other bird species’ food, however, is in doubt.
Can Cockatiels eat Parakeet food while both are from parrot species? Yes, Cockatiels can eat Parakeet food because both birds have almost similar nutritional needs. But, there are some differences in the biology and nature of both birds.
Nonetheless, there are some other details regarding the quantity and manner of feeding you need to know. And here they are.
Can You Feed Parakeet Food To Cockatiels?
You can feed Parakeet food to Cockatiels without any issues since both parrots have similar physical characteristics and require the same nutrition. Feeding one’s food to another is safe. In a general sense, Parakeet food is a pre-packed meal containing mixed seeds for the parakeet diet. The same seeds can also be fed to Cockatiels.
In a large sense, when asked what Parakeet food is, we reply that everything Parakeets eat is Parakeet food. Now, what does a Parakeet eat? It eats vegetables, seeds, fruits, and insects like other species of parrots.
In the case of fruits, it loves to eat tropical fruits like watermelon, mango, and coconut. Even nuts are also a great food for Parakeets. And all these foods are considered to be safe for Cockatiels as well.
Although Parakeet food is safe for Cockatiels, we recommend keeping some variety in their diet due to the biological and nature-based differences. What are the differences? Both the parrots are small in size, but comparatively, Cockatiels are bigger than Parakeets. A Cockatiel is around 90-100 grams in weight, whereas a Parakeet’s weight is only around 30-40 grams.
The main difference is in their eating habits. Cockatiels choose food for themselves based on its taste. It is even smarter and more intelligent than a Parakeet. So, if you are thinking of feeding your Cockatiel Parakeet food, first make sure it loves the food. It is best not to force a cockatiel to eat something once it refuses to, even if other cockatiels do.
Why is it better to keep a separate diet? You already know the differences between the two birds. A Cockatiel requires more nutrition than a Parakeet because of its weight. So, it needs more food. And another thing is that feeding one item daily may not be good for cockatiels since they are very choosy about their food.
Do Cockatiels Like Parakeet Food?
In general, Cockatiels like Parakeet food. It is very exceptional that a Cockatiel denies eating it. Moreover, like other seeds, pre-packed food is a good option for cockatiels as a general meal.
And if you are giving all the food that a parakeet eats, then it’s up to the Cockatiel’s minds and preferences whether they will like it or not. If they don’t like it, you can’t feed a cockatiel forcefully against its will. Generally, however, Cockatiels love seeds, nuts, and other grains like Parakeets do.
Health Benefits For Cockatiels Eating Parakeet Food
Regarding health benefits, Cockatiels will gain the same nutrition as a parakeet if they share the same diet plan. To know about the nutrition value of Parakeet food, here a chart is given below-
| Parakeet Food | Food Name | Nutrition |
| Pre-Packed Food | Mixed food (Canary Seed, White Millet, Red Millet, Flax, Oat Groats, Vegetable Oil, Ascorbic Acid (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin Supplement, etc.) | Protein, Vitamin (A, C, E), Amino Acid, Zinc, Minerals, etc |
| Seeds | Sunflower Seeds | Protein, Carbohydrate, Vitamin |
| Seeds | Pumpkin Seeds | Vitamin K, Manganese |
| Pallets | Mixed Grains | Vitamins |
| Fruits | Tropical fruits (Apple, Mango, Watermelon, Coconut, Pineapple, etc.) | Vitamin (A, C) Minerals |
| Nuts | Almonds, Walnuts, Pecans, Pistachios, etc. | Antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids |
| Vegetables | Carrot, Pumpkin, Broccoli, Squash, Beets, Asparagus, etc. | Vitamin (A, B, E), Minerals, |
| Grains | Amaranth, Barley, Oats, Buckwheat, Quinoa, Rye, etc. | Carbohydrate |
Now you know the health benefits and nutritional value of Parakeet foods. In your Cockatiel’s diet, you must keep seeds, pallets, and vegetables as the main course for daily meals due to containing high vitamins and minerals. In addition, nuts, fruits, and grains are snack items for cockatiels. So keep them as an occasional food.
How Much Parakeet Food Should Cockatiels Eat?
Cockatiels should eat twice the quantity of Parakeet food that Parakeets eat due to their size. Now, if you are providing pre-packed Parakeet food, they may not contain all types of seeds. So you need to add other seeds like pumpkin and safflower seeds.
And if you are following a complete parakeet diet chart, then keep seeds and pallets daily. Feed your Cockatiel 1.5 – 2.0 tbsp of seeds and around 70% – 80% of the pallets daily. These are the main food for Cockatiels.
Again, keep around 20% of fruits, nuts, vegetables, and other grains daily. Change the item daily.
How Do You Prepare Parakeet Food For Cockatiels?
There is no such complication in preparing Parakeet food for Cockatiels. Just open the packet or jar, take the food and give it to their food pot.
But if you’re giving fruits and vegetables, then wash them first. Make sure there are no pesticides. It will be great if you get organic fresh fruits and veggies. Then chop them into pieces and feed them to your Cockatiels.
Can You Feed Parakeet Food To Baby Cockatiels?
Yes, you can feed Parakeet food to baby Cockatiels. What are baby cockatiels’ foods? A baby cockatiel needs a lot of vitamins and minerals. So it requires fresh food and water.
In the case of Parakeet food, either pre-packed or natural sources, you can feed them to baby Cockatiels. But, for fruits and vegetables, it will be better to feed in the form of juice.
In terms of eating parakeet feed, budgie and baby Cockatiels are the same. Both can eat the same food. Additionally, other parrot species can also eat parakeet food since it is a combined food.
FAQs
Yes. Parakeet food is absolutely safe for Cockatiels. That is because both are from the parrot species and can share the same diet plan.
Baby Cockatiels need to be fed every two hours for the first week or so of their lives. After that, they can take a four-hour nap at night.
Conclusion
Finally, as you can see, Cockatiels can eat Parakeet food. Make sure Cockatiels love to eat them since they have a temper and attitude that are distinctly their own.
Although both birds can share the same diet plan, better if you maintain a separate diet. Feed your Cockatiel what is required for its good health.
Do you know if your cockatiels can eat blackberries or carrots? Read our articles about it to learn more.
