What Does a Just-Born Baby Cockatiel Eat?

While cockatiels are kept as pets, they are native and live wild throughout Australia. In the wild, just-born baby cockatiels (called chicks) eat regurgitated food from the mother's beak, a mash made of seeds, flowers, nuts and grasses. In captivity, just-born chicks are fed a commercial mixture formulated to replicate their natural diet.

  1. Infant Formulas

    • Commercial infant-chick formulas are categorized by species and target nutritional standards that meet the nutritional needs of that species. There are several brands on the market, and only vitamin-fortified foods eliminate the need for added supplements under optimal conditions. Higher quality infant formulas have healthy fat levels, are free from added sugars and dyes and are made from real fruit and vegetables; most pet-food supply stores carry major brands.

    Weaning Formulas

    • Weaning pelleted formulas are the next stage of food for optimal health, and unlike infant formulas that are fed as a wet mash, weaning formulas are fed as dry or moist kibble. Like infant formulas, quality foods are vitamin-fortified for the growing life-stage. Weaning ages differ between species, but is primarily dependent upon when the bird is able to eat and digest kibble and pelleted foods. A gentle, patient and consistently trusting hand-rearing process results in a confident and socially healthy bird.

    Adult Formulas

    • In the wild, cockatiels fledge at six weeks and will be independent two weeks after that. During this time, the parents teach the fledgling how to forage for seeds and nuts, pick fruits and flowers and what grasses are edible. In captivity, adult cockatiels are fed quality pelleted foods, vitamin-fortified seed mixes, fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked pastas. In the wild, cockatiels live to 14 years; however, optimal environmental and nutritional conditions can increase the captive cocktatiel's life expectancy to 25 years.

    Warnings and Considerations

    • Like baby African greys, infant cockatiels require 24-hour care for many weeks. (See References 1)

      Hand-feeding cockatiel chicks should only be performed by veterinarians or experienced avians. There are several potential dangers such as aspiration and overfeeding that can result in death. Sanitary conditions, optimal warmth and humidity are required to prevent chills and illness. In the wild, cockatiels nest in tree trunks away from predators and extreme temperature and lighting conditions.