Cilantro (coriander) is the universal garnishing herb – it can make the flavor of any food come alive. But can cockatiels eat cilantro as part of their requirements for greens and veggies? Let me answer that for you.
When you have pet birds at home, what you need to be feeding them is a question you must be very careful with.
And if you are trying to add more veggies to the diet, you might be asking yourself about cilantro.
This nutritious herb is definitely a favorite among birds and is completely safe to eat in a regulated amount.
In this article, let me tell you about the benefit of adding cilantro to your pet cockatiels diet and how much you should give to them.
Cilantro Nutritional Info: Is It Good For Cockatiels?
Yes, cockatiels can eat cilantro, and it is actually a very healthy and one of the more safe herbs for them.
Cilantro, also known as coriander, contains a lot of different nutrients that are essential for the good health of your feathered friends.
With trace amounts of several vitamins and minerals, it helps to add some leaves to your bird’s diet.
Nutritional Info
One cup (approximately 16 grams) of raw cilantro contains the following nutrients:
- 0.34 grams of protein
- 0.5 grams of carbohydrates
- 3.7 grams of calories
- Vitamins C, K, and A
The leaves contain a tiny amount of fat, which can be helpful to add to your bird’s diet.
Cilantro also contains a number of trace minerals. The most useful ones are:
- Folic acid
- Manganese
- Potassium and Sodium
- Carotene
Below, let me explain what each of these nutrients does for your bird’s health.
Benefits
- Vitamins A and C are known to improve the blood circulation and skin health of your birds.
- Sodium and potassium help to maintain the electrolyte balance in your bird’s body, which keeps its nervous and circulatory systems healthy.
- Folic aid helps improve metabolism in birds and regulate their uric acid levels.
- Manganese is known to be important for the health of your birds’ eggs.
- Phosphorus, iron, and magnesium are also good additions to a bird’s diet. These can help in maintaining energy levels and overall health.
- Protein is essential for energy requirements and bone health.
- Calories in cilantro can help in the energy gain of your birds.
How Should Cilantro Be Given To Cockatiels?
When you are offering cilantro to your cockatiels, the best idea is to give them the leaves raw after washing them with fresh water.
The herb should be chopped up into tiny pieces so your cockatiel can munch on them as they like.
Young cockatiels can digest the herb easily when you give them shredded leaves.
Another option you have to feed cilantro to your birds is adding it to seed mixes.
This can become a great snack for them as the fresh veggies and nuts increase the nutritional value of their diet.
How Much (And How Often) Should You Give Cilantro To Your Bird?
If your cockatiel is on a pellet or seed diet, you can add cilantro as a healthy snack once or twice a week.
For bird owners, it is crucial to maintain what quantity of all types of food they need to feed their pets.
Everything – fresh vegetables, fruits, or seeds – has to be regulated.
When you are feeding them cilantro, it has to follow the rule set for all veggies and fruits – not more than 10% of the total diet.
Make sure that fruits and vegetables as a whole do not become more than 30% of their total diet.
Are There Any Dangers To Giving Cilantro to Cockatiels?
There are no specific risks of feeding cilantro to your cockatiels. The only thing that needs to be kept in mind is the amount.
As cilantro is a bit high in calories, eating too much of the herb could result in high blood pressure in birds.
Young cockatiels can sometimes have a problem digesting cilantro.
So if you are thinking of feeding cilantro to your baby cockatiel, make sure to shred it into very tiny pieces.
Only offer one or two shreds in the beginning, to see how the chick takes to cilantro. If there is no digestive distress, you can add a bit more next time around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cilantro OK for birds?
Yes, cilantro is one of the herbs that birds love to eat.
This aromatic and delicious herb has a number of nutrients that a bird can benefit from when they have it in a regulated amount.
This includes Vitamin A, C, and K and minerals like Manganese, sodium, potassium, and carotene.
Most birds will enjoy munching on chopped-up cilantro as an occasional snack.
What herbs can a cockatiel eat?
Cockatiels can eat a number of different herbs, like cilantro, basil, ginger root, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.
Herbs are a good addition to a bird’s diet and can be fed or with seed mixes like sunflower seeds and fruits.
Can budgies eat cilantro stems?
Yes, budgies can eat half-ripe and mature cilantro stems, though I would advise against giving it to them.
It could be slightly harmful to birds because of the high oil content. So it is better to feed them the leaves.
Is cilantro toxic to pets?
Cilantro is not one of the toxic foods for pets. It is a safe herb to feed to most animals.
Fresh cilantro is known to help with digestive issues. It also contains a lot of nutrients that are essential for the good health of your pets.
Conclusion
If you want to start feeding your birds herbs as part of their daily diet, cilantro is a good thing to start with.
Cockatiels enjoy eating the fresh leaves that you can offer them but chopping them up or blending them for the young birds.
It can make up for a great evening snack for your little feathered friends. Always remember to limit it only to a few tiny shreds mixed in with grains or seeds.
Thank you for reading!
