Owning and feeding a cockatiel is relatively easy; as long as you keep their meal components varied, some seeds, vegetables, fruits, etc., will do the trick. Feeding comes with certain questions and worries, specifically ones like “can cockatiels eat cilantro?”
We’ll answer this question, but before we do, we go through some informative knowledge about cockatiels and cilantro, shall we?
The cockatiel is a popular choice for a pet bird, especially for first-time owners.
These small birds are friendly, gentle, and super affectionate, like to be held and petted. That reason and their physical appearance; they have a variety of color patterns and crowns, make them quite popular and loved in the pet world.
Because of their small size, cockatiels are easier to care for and tame than other cockatiel species.
They can mimic speech sounds, although they may be difficult to understand.
Why cockatiels are loved
Cockatiels are relatively vocal birds, with males calling more than females. You can teach cockatiels to sing specific melodies and say many words and phrases in any language.
They also learn to imitate certain human or environmental sounds without being taught how to do so.
The distinctive crest of the cockatiel expresses the bird’s emotional state. When the cockatiel is frightened or excited, the crest is distinctly vertical, gently tilted in a neutral or relaxed state, and flattened near the head when the animal is angry or defensive.
The crest also remains flat, protruding outward on the back when the cockatiels try to be seductive or flirtatious. When the cockatiels are tired, the crown is positioned upward, with the tip usually curled upward.
Compared to most cockatoos, the tail feathers of cockatiels are longer, accounting for about half of their total length. The cockatiels are the smallest cockatoo at just 30cm to 33 cm (12 to 13 in).
Other birds in the cockatoo family are usually larger, between 30 and 60 cm (12 to 24 in).
The “common gray” or “wild” cockatiel has predominantly gray plumage, with a distinct white flash on the outer edge of each wing.
The male’s face is yellow or white, while the female’s face is primarily gray or light gray, and both sexes have a circular orange area on their ears, often referred to as the “cheddar cheeks.
This orange coloration is usually vibrant in adult males and generally very pale in females. Variants of this bird can often be visually sexed.
Can cockatiels eat cilantro?
The prefix of this article was pretty interesting, right?
We are sure you must have learned a thing or two if you did read through it all.
Now, for the big question, the reason you came to petcaneat.com.
So, Can cockatiels eat cilantro? The answer is Yes.
Cilantro (also known as coriander or parsley) is an herb that is safe for cockatiels. This herb is nutritious and can be an excellent snack for your pet.
One of the interesting things about these herbs is that most birds love them, including cockatiels.
Most people think of cilantro as just a part of a delicious salad or any tasty dish. However, it can also be something that our pet birds can enjoy too.
If you have some cilantro to give your cockatiel, you may want to take some time to read more about it. Just as you learned a few things about cockatiels, we’re almost convinced you’ll also find some valuable information in reading this part.
Let’s get started!
Can cockatiels eat cilantro with any adverse reactions?
Is cilantro safe for cockatiels?
Cilantro and other herbs are safe for cockatiels, just like they are for other birds. It is rich in a variety of nutrients that your pet will love.
In addition, cilantro has a great taste and smell that cockatiels will love. Therefore, if you are introducing this plant, you will have no difficulty.
To learn more about its nutritional value, check out these nutritional facts. One particular article states that one cup (16 grams) of raw cilantro can provide
- 3.68 calories
- 0.083 grams of fat
- 0.587 grams of carbohydrates
- 0.341 grams of protein
- In addition to these components, cilantro offers a wide range of vitamins, such as
- Vitamin C.
- vitamin A pro
- Vitamin K
It also contains trace amounts of the following substances
- Folic acid
- Potassium
- Manganese
- Choline
- carotene
- Cryptoxanthin
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
Although nutritious, cilantro should still not be an essential part of a cockatiels’ diet.
Can Cockatiels eat cilantro – Risks
There is no significant risk in feeding some cilantro to your cockatiel.
When feeding, the only thing you should be careful about is never to offer more than the proper amount.
As I said before, cilantro and other herbs may be rich in nutrition and flavor, but that doesn’t mean you can do as you please. As always, limit cilantro and other herbs to a few bites and a few mouthfuls.
Because these herbs taste so good, a few bites will be enough for your cockatiel. Any more than that may be unhealthy for them.
Another thing to watch out for is feeding cilantro with other seasonings and foods.
While cilantro by itself is harmless, adding some seasoning can make your pet so.
How much cilantro can a cockatiel eat?
Cilantro, like other herbs, is not something you can give your cockatiel in large quantities.
Cockatiels need a balanced diet. Therefore, although cilantro is nutritious, it cannot sustain a cockatiel’s needs for a day.
For this same reason, it is important to think of cilantro as a snack only, rather than making up more than 10% of your cockatiel’s diet.
The most important part of a cockatiel’s diet should be pellets, as it is the best food to meet their nutritional needs. Therefore, it should make up at least 60% of their daily food intake.
Another large part of their diet should be vegetables. Feeding different vegetables should be suitable for your cockatiels. In addition, it should make up more or less 30% of their diet.
The remaining 10% or less can be part of the snacks and occasional treating for your birdie. In addition to herbs such as cilantro, you can also offer nuts, fruits, and seeds.
Do cockatiels like cilantro?
Cockatiels love cilantro. They even like to have it mixed with a variety of herbs and spices.
Because cilantro is rich in nutrients and flavor, it can be a delightful snack for your pet.
That said, You don’t have to give your pet large amounts of cilantro just because they like it; suitable moderation has to apply.
As always, limit your birdies consumption of cilantro and other herbs.
Other herbs that are safe for cockatiels
In addition to cilantro, there are other herbs you can offer your cockatiel. This list should give you a picture of which herbs are suitable for cockatiels.
- Basil
- Cayenne pepper
- Chamomile
- Chicory
- Celery leaves
- Dandelion
- Dill
- Ginger root
- Fennel
- Lemon lip balm
- Marjoram
- Peppermint (not too much)
- Oregano
- Cilantro
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Dried cinnamon
As I said before, all kinds of snacks can be healthy, but in limited quantities. In addition, it is best to take herbs once in a while, rather than all the time.
Conclusion
cockatiels can eat cilantro, and it is one of the herbs you can give to your pet as a snack or a treat. It is nutritious and tasty, and your bird will love it.
The most important thing you need to be aware of when feeding this type of food to your birdie is that they should not be an essential part of their diet, although nutritious. Cockatiels need a balanced diet, so be sure to limit cilantro snacks to small amounts.
Just keep a balanced diet and feed cilantro from time to time without worry.
