Best Cockatiels Bird Food of 2026

Janie Foster Avatar
Janie Foster
Last Updated: Jan 11, 2026

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Cockatiels are a popular pet bird species, known for their friendly and playful nature. To keep them healthy and happy, it's important to provide them with a balanced and nutritious diet. Cockatiel bird food is specially formulated to meet the dietary needs of these birds, providing them with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. There are a variety of options available, including pellets, seeds, and fresh fruits and vegetables. When choosing a cockatiel bird food, it's important to look for high-quality ingredients and avoid fillers and additives that can be harmful to your bird's health.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Bird Food, 4 lb Cover #TOP 1
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Bird Food, 4 lb
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Kaytee Cockatiel Pet Bird Food, 5 lbs Cover #TOP 2
Kaytee Cockatiel Pet Bird Food, 5 lbs
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Kaytee Fiesta Cockatiel Food 2.5 lbs Cover #TOP 3
Kaytee Fiesta Cockatiel Food 2.5 lbs
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Cockatiels Bird Food

#TOP 1

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Bird Food, 4 lb

100552005
4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Bird Food, 4 lb Cover
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health+Safflower Nourish+Protect Cockatiel Food, Supports Breeding and Molting, Nutrition Backed by Science, Digestive and Brain Health, 4 pounds

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel Bird Food is a great choice for supporting your bird's overall health. The food is enriched with Omega 3's to support brain and heart health, and it enhances skin and feather health for a vibrant, healthy plumage. With naturally preserved ingredients, the food is kept fresh for longer, and Safflower is used instead of Sunflower seeds, which can cause obesity in birds.

What We Like
High-quality ingredients
Fortified with essential nutrients
Birds enjoy the mix
Convenient resealable bag
Minimal waste and dust
#TOP 2

Kaytee Cockatiel Pet Bird Food, 5 lbs

100502104
5 Pound (Pack of 1)
Kaytee Cockatiel Pet Bird Food, 5 lbs Cover
Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Nourish+Protect Cockatiel Food, Comprehensive Nutrition Backed by Science, Digestive Health, Immune Support, 5 pounds

Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Cockatiel food contains Omega 3's to support heart and brain health, and prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health. Antioxidants are included for general health and immune support, while enhancing skin and feather health for vibrant, healthy plumage. Kaytee is a Veterinarian Recommended Brand, and with over 150 years of nutritional experience, they provide your small pet with the best nutrition for a long and healthy life.

What We Like
Contains Omega 3's to support heart and brain health
Antioxidants included for general health and immune support
Supports skin and feather health for vibrant, healthy plumage
Contains prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive health
Veterinarian Recommended Brand
#TOP 3

Kaytee Fiesta Cockatiel Food 2.5 lbs

100032275
Browns
Kaytee Fiesta Cockatiel Food 2.5 lbs Cover
Kaytee Fiesta Cockatiel Food, Nutritious and Fun Blend, Supports Skin, Feather, Digestion, Brain and Heart Health, 2.5 pounds

The Kaytee Fiesta Cockatiel Food offers a fun and engaging mealtime experience with a mix of different shapes and textures that encourage your bird to forage naturally and stay entertained. It contains a premium blend of grains, seeds, fruits, and vegetables, including tasty flavors like pineapple, carrot, and coconut, making it a delicious choice your cockatiel will enjoy. This food is also packed with natural antioxidants, omega-3s, probiotics, and prebiotics, which help support your pet’s immune system, brain, heart, and digestion. Additionally, it promotes healthy skin and vibrant feathers, keeping your cockatiel looking its best.

What We Like
Varied textures and shapes
Nutritious blend of ingredients
Antioxidants and omega-3s
Supports digestion and immunity
Enhances skin and feather health
#TOP 4

ZuPreem Sensible Seed Bird Food Blend 2 lbs

1008010
Multicolor
2 Pound (Pack of 1)
ZuPreem Sensible Seed Bird Food Blend 2 lbs Cover
ZuPreem Sensible Seed Bird Food, Cockatiel, Lovebird, Quaker, Small Conure, Seed and Pellet Blend for Medium Birds, Food Mixer Topper, Enriching Variety, Made in the USA, (M, 2 lbs)

The ZuPreem Sensible Seed Blend is a perfect choice for medium birds like Cockatiels, Lovebirds, and Small Conures. This seed mix offers a thoughtful variety of ingredients, including real squash seeds and pumpkin seeds, which help provide a nutritious and tasty diet. It's designed to add fun and variety to your bird’s daily meals, encouraging natural foraging instincts that keep your pet active and engaged. You can safely offer this blend as up to 30% of your bird’s diet, giving them a rewarding and enriching feeding experience.

What We Like
Varied seed blend
Real, natural ingredients
Supports natural foraging
Ideal for medium birds
#TOP 5

Wild Harvest WH-83541 Cockatiel Food

WH-83541
Wild Harvest WH-83541 Cockatiel Food Cover
Wild Harvest WH-83541 Wild Harvest Advanced Nutrition Diet for Cockatiels, 4.5-Pound

Wild Harvest Cockatiel Food is designed to meet the dietary needs of your feathered friend. It features a delightful mix of seeds, grains, and vegetables, ensuring your cockatiel gets a balanced and tasty diet. This formula is enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, and Omega-3 fatty acids, promoting healthy skin and shiny feathers. The unique blend of ingredients mimics what cockatiels would naturally forage for, encouraging their instinctual behaviors. By providing 2 to 4 tablespoons daily, you can easily maintain your pet's health and happiness.

What We Like
Balanced nutrition
Supports healthy feathers
Encourages natural foraging
Tasty variety
#TOP 6

ZuPreem Natural Bird Pellets, 2.5 lb

1008079
Multicolor
ZuPreem Natural Bird Pellets, 2.5 lb Cover
ZuPreem Natural Bird Pellets, Daily Bird Food for Cockatiel, Lovebird, Quaker, Small Conure, Lorikeet, Core Nutrition for Medium Birds, Added Vitamins, Cockatiel Pellets (M, 2.5 lbs)

ZuPreem Bird Pellets provide a wholesome diet for your medium birds, such as Cockatiels and Lovebirds. These pellets are made from all-natural ingredients, ensuring your pet receives a healthy meal without artificial additives. You can rest easy knowing that these pellets meet your bird's nutritional needs, combining essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for daily health. Plus, the delicious taste means your bird will enjoy every bite, making feeding time a pleasure for both of you.

What We Like
Colorful and appealing pellets
Nutritious and digestible
Good value for quantity
Birds enjoy different flavors
Affordable compared to other brands
#TOP 7

ZuPreem Smart Selects Bird Food

1008002
Multicolor
ZuPreem Smart Selects Bird Food Cover
ZuPreem Smart Selects Pellets & Seed Blend, Daily Food for Cockatiel, Lovebird, Quaker, Conure, Lorikeet, Core Nutrition Food for Medium Birds, Essential Vitamins, Conure Feed (M, 2.5 lbs)

ZuPreem Bird Food is specially crafted for Cockatiels, Quakers, Lovebirds, and small Conures. It offers a healthy and delicious blend of nutrition containing smart pellets, seeds, vegetables, and fruit. This bird food provides essential daily nutrition to keep your bird healthy. By feeding ZuPreem Bird Food daily, you're ensuring your bird maintains a balanced diet. It includes ZuPreem pelleted products that should make up at least 60 percent of your bird's diet for optimal nutrition.

What We Like
Specially crafted for specific bird species
Healthy and delicious blend
Essential daily nutrition
#TOP 8

Wild Harvest Universal Blend for Medium & Large Birds 10lbs

P-99285
Wild Harvest Universal Blend for Medium & Large Birds 10lbs Cover
Wild Harvest Universal Blend for Medium and Large Birds 10 Pounds; Fortified Nutrition

Wild Harvest Universal Blend for Medium & Large Birds is a premium blend of seeds and vegetables that is enriched with important vitamins and minerals for medium and large birds. This nutrient-rich blend food is perfect for cockatiels, parrots, lovebirds, and other hookbills. It is specially formulated to support healthy skin and shiny feathers, while providing an irresistible taste that birds love. The daily feed ensures that your bird gets maximum nutrients, and the fresh seed provides maximum freshness. Additionally, the food is easily digestible and perfect for birds with sensitive stomachs.

What We Like
Enriched with important vitamins and minerals
Irresistible blend of premium seeds and vegetables
Specially formulated for medium and large birds
Fresh seed ensures maximum freshness
Easily digestible and perfect for birds with sensitive stomachs
#TOP 9

Vitakraft Vita Smart Cockatiel and Lovebird Food

34492
4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Vitakraft Vita Smart Cockatiel and Lovebird Food Cover
Vitakraft Vita Smart Gourmet Cockatiel and Lovebird Food - Vitamin-Fortified - Daily Pet Bird Food 4 Pound (Pack of 1)

Give your bird a taste of the wild with Vitakraft Vita Smart Cockatiel and Lovebird Food. This premium, all-natural mix of bird seed, grains, and fruits is perfect for providing your pet bird with the vitamins and minerals they need to stay healthy. With an exciting blend of millet seed, safflower bird seed, peas, papaya, carrots, rose hips, berries, chamomile flowers, coconut, and pineapple, this nutrient-fortified food simulates natural foraging and provides for species-specific nutrition. The small-batch production and resealable bulk food bag ensure that the food stays fresh and tasty.

What We Like
Nutrient-fortified with Lysine, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, and Riboflavin
Simulates natural foraging and provides for species-specific nutrition
Small-batch production and resealable bulk food bag ensure freshness
#TOP 10

Higgins Mayan Harvest Yucatan Bird Food Mix

Higgins Mayan Harvest Yucatan Food Mix f
Multi
1 Count (Pack of 1)
Higgins Mayan Harvest Yucatan Bird Food Mix Cover
Higgins Mayan Harvest Yucatan Food Mix for Cockatiels, Lovebirds & Conures, 3 lbs.

The Higgins Mayan Harvest Mix is a natural seed blend designed to provide your cockatiels, lovebirds, and conures with a nutritious diet. It contains essential vitamins and minerals that help support your bird’s overall health and vitality. You won’t find any artificial colors or preservatives in this mix, making it a wholesome choice for your feathered friends. Plus, the inclusion of whole bee pollen helps strengthen their immune system, giving you peace of mind about their well-being. This mix is a convenient way to keep your birds healthy and happy.

What We Like
Natural seed blend
Added vitamins and minerals
No artificial colors or preservatives
Includes immune-boosting bee pollen
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can cockatiels eat regular bird food?

Cockatiels can eat regular bird food, such as budgie food. Both birds require a balanced diet of seeds and fresh vegetables, so they can be fed the same types of food.

2. How often do you feed a cockatiel?

Cockatiels should be fed approximately 1.5 to 2 level tablespoons (30-40 grams) of seed or pellets per day. Some owners like to provide a midday meal for their cockatiels, but the total amount of food should not exceed the recommended daily intake.

3. Should cockatiels have food all the time?

Cockatiels do not tend to overeat, so it is safe to provide them with as much seed or pellets as they are willing to eat. However, fresh food should also be offered once or twice daily, as they will consume less of the seeds or pellets when provided with fresh food.

4. Should I feed my cockatiel seeds or pellets?

It is recommended to start hand-raised cockatiels on pelleted diets. However, mature cockatiels may be difficult to convert to pelleted diets. Different formulations of pellets are available for different life stages, but generally, pellets are considered the ideal diet for cockatiels.

5. What seeds can cockatiels not eat?

Cockatiels should not eat apple, cherry, and pear seeds, as they contain cyanide which is toxic to birds. Additionally, the pits of cherries and pears may also contain cyanide. It is important to avoid feeding cockatiels other tree fruits like apricots, nectarines, peaches, and plums, as their stones may contain trace amounts of cyanide.

6. Do cockatiels need to be covered at night?

It is not necessary to cover cockatiel cages at night. While some birds may prefer it or it may be necessary to limit daylight for certain reasons, covering the cage is generally not required. However, providing a nightlight can be beneficial for cockatiels as it helps prevent night frights.

7. Should cockatiels be in a cage all day?

Cockatiels are social and active birds that require time outside of their cages. It is recommended to let them out of their cages for a minimum of 2-3 hours per day. This allows them to stretch their wings, interact with their environment, and get exercise.

Editor's Notes

During our cockatiels bird food research, we found 24 cockatiels bird food products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 237,642 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cockatiels bird food list. We found that most customers choose cockatiels bird food with an average price of $15.02.

The cockatiels bird food are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cockatiels bird food, including Kaytee, ZuPreem, Wild Harvest, Vitakraft, Higgins. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Janie Foster Avatar

Janie Foster is a writer & pet blogger from Los Angeles, she enjoys living with her two cats and three dogs. She owned her first dog 10 years ago and then started her personal blog to record her dog's daily life. Throughout her personal life, she has developed specialized knowledge in pet care, pet nutrition, feeding habits, and more.