Cockatiels and lovebirds are small birds with fast metabolisms, strong opinions and a habit of eating the same thing every day if you let them. Getting the diet right is the single biggest thing you can do for their health.
This guide covers what a daily diet looks like, how seed fits in, what to avoid, and how to spot a bird that is not eating properly.
What a daily diet should look like
A good routine gives your bird variety, not just volume.
- A measured seed or pellet base. Seed mixes are the familiar starting point for cockatiels and lovebirds. Measure it, so you know what your bird is actually eating each day.
- Fresh vegetables daily. Dark leafy greens, carrot, broccoli, capsicum, squash and peas suit most small parrots. Chop small and offer them in a separate dish.
- A little fruit now and then. Fruit is a treat, not a staple, because it is high in sugar.
- Clean water, changed daily. Two water sources if your bird tends to dunk food.
- Optional enrichment foods. Millet spray, seed pods and hanging treats give birds something to work at rather than something to gulp.
Seed-only diets are a common reason birds end up at the vet. A seed mix on its own is not a complete diet, so the goal is a mixed plate where seed is one part of it, alongside vegetables and a formulated food if your bird will take one.
Portioning, for cockatiels and lovebirds
- Measure daily. For a single small bird, roughly one to one and a half tablespoons of seed mix per day is a common starting point, adjusted for the bird's condition and activity. Always follow the guide on your product's packaging.
- Watch the favourites. Birds pick out the high-fat seeds and leave the rest, which is where the imbalance starts. Offer only what will be eaten in a day, then remove the leftovers.
- Weigh your bird monthly. A kitchen scale is more reliable than an eyeball. A steady weight is a good sign. A sudden drop needs a vet.
- Adjust for the season. More active birds and breeding birds need more. A quiet, caged bird needs less.
- Ask about pellets. Many avian vets recommend a proportion of formulated pellets. Converting a seed-addicted bird is slow work, so ask your vet for a plan that suits your bird.
Foods and hazards to keep away
- Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and salty or fatty human food.
- Onion, garlic and stone fruit pits.
- Anything mouldy, and any seed mix that smells musty or has been open a long time.
- Non-stick cookware fumes, aerosols, smoke and scented candles around birds.
- Small shiny objects and open water containers a bird can fall into.
If you think your bird has eaten something harmful, contact your vet straight away.
Water, dishes and storage
- Wash food and water dishes daily with hot soapy water and rinse well.
- Scrub cages and perches weekly, and check that seed hulls are not building up under the grill.
- Store seed in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, and finish it within the period on the pack.
- Keep fresh vegetables in the cage for a few hours, not all day, especially in warm weather.
Enrichment that supports good eating
Birds are foragers by nature. Hanging treats and seed pods give them something to pull apart, which reduces boredom and gives the beak and feet a workout. Rotate enrichment items so they stay interesting, and check them for wear.
A simple daily routine works well:
- Fresh water and fresh vegetables in the morning.
- Measured seed in a clean dish.
- A few minutes of attention, training or out-of-cage time.
- Leftover fresh food removed in the afternoon.
- Cage check before bed.
Signs of a healthy bird, and when to worry
A healthy bird is alert, eats through the day, has bright eyes, clean feathers and steady weight. Fluffed up and quiet is often the first sign a bird is unwell, because small parrots hide illness well.
Contact an avian vet if you notice any of the following:
- A bird that stops eating or leaves its food untouched for a day.
- Weight loss, or a breastbone that feels sharper than usual.
- Long periods sitting fluffed on the cage floor.
- Changes in droppings, breathing, or discharge around the eyes and nostrils.
Common questions
Can cockatiels and lovebirds eat the same seed mix? Often yes, particularly mixes sold for small parrots, and both species benefit from the same vegetables. Check the packaging for the species it is intended for, and adjust the portion to the bird.
How much seed should I give my bird? Start with the measurement on the pack for one bird and adjust based on weight and what your bird actually eats. Remove leftovers daily rather than topping up on old seed.
Is millet good for birds? It is useful as a treat and for training, and handy for encouraging a shy bird. It is high in carbohydrate, so keep it to a small part of the weekly diet.
Do birds need grit? Not all species do, and the advice differs by bird. Ask your vet what applies to yours rather than adding grit by habit.
A measured seed base, fresh vegetables every day, clean water and a watchful eye on weight cover most of what your bird needs from you.
Two things from our shelves: Trill Expert Cockatiel Mix 2kg as a seed base for cockatiels, and Whistler Cockatiel & Lovebird Hang Pod Fruit & Spice 210g, sold as a trade carton of eight pods, for foraging enrichment. Both stocked and sent out by our small Australian team.