Cockatiel seed
Cockatiel seed is a seed mix formulated for cockatiels specifically, usually built around a blend of millet, canary seed and sunflower seed in proportions suited to the species. A good seed mix is a genuine part of a cockatiel's diet, but seed alone, particularly a mix heavy on sunflower and other fatty seeds, is not considered a complete diet on its own.
What's actually in a cockatiel seed mix
Millet and canary seed typically make up the bulk of a proper cockatiel mix, with sunflower seeds included in smaller amounts because they're higher in fat than a cockatiel needs as a large share of its diet. A poor-quality mix, by contrast, can be heavier on sunflower and other fatty seeds simply because birds pick them out first and enjoy them.
Cockatiels are also selective eaters, and a bird given a big bag of mixed seed will often pick out its favourites and leave the rest, which over time can mean they're eating an unbalanced version of what looks like a balanced mix on the bag.
Why seed alone isn't the whole diet
Seed-only diets are widely considered nutritionally incomplete for cockatiels on their own, since they tend to be low in certain vitamins and minerals a bird needs. Many owners supplement seed with a pelleted complete food, fresh vegetables and the occasional treat to round out the diet, rather than relying on seed exclusively.
If you're not sure how to balance seed against other foods for your cockatiel, it's worth asking an avian-experienced vet or an established bird-keeping resource for guidance specific to your bird, since getting this wrong over a long period can affect their health.
Storing and feeding seed
Keep seed somewhere cool and dry, since damp conditions can cause it to spoil or grow mould, which is a genuine risk to a bird's health if fed. Buy in amounts you'll get through in a reasonable time rather than a large bag that sits around for months.
Refresh the seed dish regularly rather than just topping it up, since empty husks left in the bowl from a bird picking out favourite seeds can look like there's still plenty of food there when there isn't.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Vitakraft Cockatiel Cocktail
A fruit, nut and seed treat mix for cockatiels, lovebirds and parrots, with weekly amounts given
£4.30
Bestpets Cockatiel & Parakeet Exotic Bird Mix
A complementary seed mix for cockatiels and parakeets, built around a high sunflower seed content
£32.99
Vitakraft Australian Cockatiel Stick Honey 180g
A pair of honey-flavour treat sticks for parrots and cockatiels, baked onto a wooden stick
£6.20
Vitakraft Australian Cockatiel Fruit Stick 180g
A pair of fruit-flavour treat sticks for parrots and cockatiels, baked onto a wooden stick
£6.20
Johnson's Cockatiel/Parrot Nut & Honey Bar
A 50G seed, nut and honey bar treat for cockatiels, parrots and similar birds
£1.89
Johnston & Jeff Cockatiel & Parakeet
A plain seed mix for cockatiels and parakeets, formulated as a complete foodstuff
£2.85
Johnston & Jeff Cockatiel & Parakeet Feed
An eleven-ingredient seed blend for cockatiels and parakeets, not grain-free
£8.49
Vitakraft Kracker Feather Care for Cockatiels & Parrots
A cage-clipped seed treat for cockatiels and parrots, aimed at moulting birds
£6.20
Johnson's Cockatiel/Parrot Nut & Honey Bell
A 50G bell-shaped seed, nut and honey treat for cockatiels, parrots and similar birds
£1.89
Johnson's Cockatiel/Parrot Fruity Stick
A 45G fruit and honey seed stick treat for cockatiels, parrots and similar birds
£1.89
Common questions
- Is seed alone enough for a cockatiel?
- No, seed-only diets are generally considered nutritionally incomplete for cockatiels on their own. Most owners combine seed with a pelleted complete food and fresh vegetables to give a more balanced diet overall.
- Why does my cockatiel only eat certain seeds from the mix?
- Cockatiels are naturally selective eaters and often pick out their favourite seeds, sunflower in particular, and leave the rest. This can lead to an unbalanced diet over time even from a well-formulated mix, which is one reason seed shouldn't be the whole diet.
- How much seed should I give my cockatiel each day?
- This varies by bird, but seed is generally meant to be part of a varied diet rather than fed in unlimited amounts. An avian-experienced vet can advise on a suitable balance for your individual bird.
- How should I store cockatiel seed?
- Keep it somewhere cool and dry in a sealed container, and buy amounts you'll use within a reasonable time. Damp storage conditions can cause seed to spoil or develop mould, which is unsafe to feed.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.