Strawberries are seasonal fruits that are much loved for their juicy texture, sweetness, and aroma. Can cockatiels eat strawberries? Is it a good idea to add them to a cockatiel’s diet? I answer these questions below.
Yes, you can give strawberries to your pet bird. Fresh strawberries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, manganese, potassium, and other nutrients.
The fruit helps maintain blood pressure and reduces the risk of diseases like cancer in birds.
Strawberries are safe, but you should give them in moderate quantities to cockatiels to avoid health issues.
If you want to learn how, how much and in what form you should offer your bird strawberries, read on.
Strawberry Nutritional Info: Is It Good For Cockatiels
Strawberry is an excellent source of nutrients necessary for a cockatiel’s growth. So you can give this fruit to your feathered friend.
100 grams of raw strawberries contains the following nutrients.
- Water -90.95 grams
- Energy -32 Kcal
- Total lipid fat -0.3 gram
- Carbohydrate -7.68 gram
- Protein -0.67 gram
- Fiber -2 gram
- Sugar -4.89 gram
- Calcium -16 mg
- Iron -0.41 mg
- Magnesium -13 mg
- Phosphorous -24 mg
- Magnesium -13 mg
- Potassium -153 mg
- Sodium -1mg
- Copper -0.048mg
- Vitamin C -58.8mg
- Vitamin B6 -0.047 mg
- Vitamin E -0.29mg
Vitamins
Vitamin C: Strawberries are good sources of vitamin C, which help maintain the immune system in cockatiels.
Vitamin B6: Vitamin B6 in strawberries helps in developing your bird’s brain. It even helps to keep the nervous system healthy.
Vitamin E: Strawberries contain Vitamin E, which is vital for good skin, feathers, beaks, and eyes.
Minerals
Manganese: Strawberries have manganese which aids in various processes in the body of cockatiel.
Potassium: Strawberries contain high potassium, which helps maintain fluid levels in cells and tissues. Simultaneously this mineral aids in maintaining blood pressure.
Other Vitamins And Minerals
One hundred grams of strawberries contain two grams of fiber which is highly required for feeding good bacteria and thus improving the digestive health of your little cockatiel.
Strawberries are a good source of antioxidants like ellagic acid and Pelargonidin, which help to keep your cockatiel healthy.
How Should Strawberries Be Given To Cockatiels?
You should clean the strawberries properly in water to remove any pesticides or insecticides, cut them into small pieces, and serve your bird.
Some cockatiels are scared of the red color, so cutting into pieces is the best way to feed the bird.
Strawberries are a juicy fruit, and cockatiels love such fruits because they help them maintain their water requirements.
Birds need a lot of fresh water, which they can either drink directly or get through such fruits and vegetables.
Different Forms Of Strawberries
Raw Strawberries
Raw strawberries are safe for birds. But store-bought strawberries contain chemicals, pesticides, and insecticides which can harm your bird.
If possible, give organically grown strawberries to your bird. If you can’t find them near you, thoroughly wash them in water before feeding your little bird.
Cockatiels have small beaks; hence, you need to cut the strawberries into small pieces (as mentioned earlier).
Put them on a flat plate and give them to your bird.
If you are trying it for the first time, observe the body language of the bird. If it does eat the fruits, wait for 2-3 hours and then remove the fruit from the cage.
You can try again later. Cockatiels change their mind about food often, so it’s important to try multiple times.
Strawberries stay in your bird’s crop for 12 hours, and the fruit can spoil faster than other fruits.
If the strawberry spoils, it can swell the crop, which can be very painful for your feathered friend. So ensure always to give only fresh strawberries to a cockatiel.
Strawberry Seeds
Certain fruit seeds, such as apple seeds, are toxic for your bird. But strawberry seeds are safe for cockatiels.
In my experience, most cockatiels enjoy eating crunchy strawberry seeds. The seeds contain fiber which is good for your bird’s gut health.
Strawberry leaves are also safe but wash them properly in water before giving them.
How Much (And How Often) Should You Give Strawberries To Your Bird?
Feeding one to two strawberries in a week to a cockatiel is recommended.
Cockatiels require about 30 calories a day, of which 25 to 30 percent should be fruits and vegetables, and the rest should include pellets and seeds.
So you can provide strawberries and other fruits like bananas, peaches and many more.
Are There Any Dangers To Giving Strawberries to Cockatiels?
Strawberries are a powerhouse of various nutrients and can be served as a delicious treat to a cockatiel.
But overfeeding can also be harmful to cockatiels.
As stated above, 100 grams of strawberries contain 4.89 grams of natural sugar.
If you give a lot of strawberries to the bird, it may have diabetes or obesity because of its high sugar content.
Also, giving more strawberries can cause gastrointestinal problems or diarrhea in your bird.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruits can a cockatiel not eat?
Most fruits are safe for birds. There are certain fruits whose seeds and pits contain cyanide and can be poisonous to cockatiels.
For instance, apple seeds are not good for the bird.
Similarly, pits of cherries, apricots, peaches, and plums should also be removed and then can be given to birds.
Can cockatiels eat strawberry seeds?
Strawberry seeds are not poisonous to cockatiels and can be served as a tasty treat. They contain fiber, which helps improve the bird’s gut health.
There are some seeds, such as apple seeds, that are dangerous for birds. This is because they contain a compound in them that can cause cyanide poisoning.
What fruits can cockatiels eat list?
We are listing below certain fruits which you can give your cockatiel.
Dates
Peaches(no pits)
Apple (not seeds)
Watermelon
Strawberry
Grapes
Kiwi
Pineapple
Can cockatiels eat strawberries and blueberries?
Yes, cockatiels can eat strawberries and blueberries.
They are packed with vitamins A, C,k and vitamins like potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, and calcium, which are vital for your feathered friend’s healthy growth.
So, you can add these fruits as a part of the diet. But try to feed in moderate quantities to avoid any adverse effects.
Wrap Up
Cockatiels should be given a varied diet that includes fresh vegetables like sweet potato, fruits, and pellets. Fresh fruits like strawberries are highly beneficial for them.
Pet owners can give strawberries as a special treat for their birds by chopping them up in small pieces and serving them on a plate.
Don’t overfeed, as it can cause blood sugar-related problems and obesity because of the high sugar content.
Thank you for reading this article.
