Can Cockatiels Eat Cilantro?[And Other Safe Herbs]
Owning a cockatiel is interesting as it is fun and social. However, getting the correct type of herbs to feed your cockatiel is challenging. Cilantro is a unique herb that adds flavor and taste to every meal. And cockatiels keepers may wonder if it is right to feed coriander to their cockatiels.
So, can cockatiels eat cilantro? Yes. Cilantro herb, commonly known as the coriander, is safe for consumption by cockatiels. The herb is rich in nutrients with a pleasant flavor and hence loved by cockatiels. Coriander should, however, be fed in small amounts as a snack.
This article further explains how to feed cockatiels on cilantro and other safe herbs for your pet.
Can Cockatiels Eat Cilantro?
Yes. Cockatiels love feeding on these flavored herbs, especially when they are fresh. Their flavor is an attractive aspect that even the cockatiels cannot resist.
Cilantro herb, also known as the Chinese Parsley, is rich in nutrients that cockatiels need for healthy growth. However, the coriander herb is known to contain some poisonous oil in small amounts at times, insignificant.
That being the case, it is recommended that you feed cilantro herbs to your pet in moderation. The pellets, fruits, and vegetables should form 90% of your pet’s meal, while cilantro makes up 10%.
Avoid feeding the roots as they are earthy and may contain some bacteria that may affect the cockatiel’s health. Also, clean the coriander before serving your pet.
To reduce food poisoning, ensure the coriander is cultivated organically with no chemicals. This is because some substances are helpful to the herb’s growth but harmful to the cockatiel.
Nutritional Value Of Cilantro Herbs
Fresh cilantro has a high nutritional value. Feeding your pet with these herbs gives them a balanced diet which boosts their strength and immunity. Below is the nutrient content of the 4-ounce coriander.
| Nutrient | Composition |
| Carbohydrates | 4g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Vitamin K | 350mg |
| Proteins | 2g |
| Manganese | 5g |
| Vitamin C | 200mg |
| Vitamin A | 7600 international units |
| Fats | 1g |
You should supplement their diet by using pellets to provide the missing nutrients.
Apart from the nutritional value, eating these cilantro herbs has benefits.
These include:
- Anti-inflammatory benefits due to the high levels of antioxidants.
- Reduction of blood clot formation in arteries.
- Vitamin A boosts the immune system and improves sight.
- Due to the antimicrobial aspect, it can help fight urinary tract infections.
- The fiber present helps improve digestion.
Other Safe Herbs Safe For Feeding Cockatiels
To avoid resistance by the cockatiel to the cilantro herb, it is advisable to introduce other herbs. These herbs should be safe for consumption and have nutritional value to the cockatiels.
Below is a list of safe herbs you can alternate with the coriander.
- Rosemary leaves
- Thyme
- Parsley
- Dandelion
- Lemon
- Ginger roots
- Cinnamon
Some of these herbs are locally available at the grocery. Purchase from organic farmers to get chemical-free herbs. It’s best if you can grow some in your kitchen garden.
What’s the difference between coriander and cilantro?
Most cockatiel owners wonder what the difference is between coriander and cilantro. Both names refer to the same herb. The wording is different depending on the place of use.
In Spanish-speaking countries, the herb is known as the coriander, while in American English, it is referred to as cilantro. The cilantro herb is also known as the Chinese Parsley or the Mexican Parsley.
Associated Risk Of Feeding Coriander To Cockatiels
The risks are minimal if you feed the cilantro herb in the prescribed manner. However, an excess of these leaves will leave your pet sick.
The poisonous oil in the herb affects the digestion system leading to death. Therefore, it is advisable to feed small amounts of coriander. Supplement the herbs with fresh vegetables and pellets that will help balance the toxicity of the cilantro.
The birds tend to bloat when fed on too much cilantro and develop digestion complications such as diarrhea. Another risk is providing dirty herbs with chemicals and bacterial infections on the roots.
Always inspect the herbs before feeding your pet to ensure they are of a good standard, especially if bought from the market.
FAQs
Here, we have responded to some of the frequently raised questions by cockatiel keepers. Read through for a better understanding of how to feed the cockatiels.
Can Cockatiels Eat Coriander Seeds?
Coriander seeds are rich in nutrients and fiber. Cockatiels eat these seeds in their raw nature. Since the seeds are earthy, consider washing them before feeding them to your pet. As with coriander leaves, feed the seeds in moderation since they contain some poisonous oil in little amounts. It would be safer if you heat them and grind them before feeding them to your cockatiels.
Is there a limit to how much cilantro I can feed my cockatiels?
Even though cockatiels love eating coriander leaves, you have to moderate their consumption. The herb is said to have some poisonous oil which, if taken in excess, can cause harm to your pet. Limit the herb consumption to three times a week. It would be best to feed the herb with other vegetables and fruits. In the feeding schedule, ensure the herb doesn’t exceed 15% of the total daily feed. Pellets and other feed should make up a more significant portion of the meal.
Can cockatiels eat the roots of cilantro?
The roots are exceptional to the cockatiels. This is because roots are in direct contact with the soil and other bacterial organisms, which might be helpful for the herb’s growth but harmful to the pet. Cut the herb at the base of the stem and clean the stalk before feeding it to your pet. However, one can thoroughly clean the roots and feed them to cockatiels. The aim is to provide a clean herb to reduce the chances of infections.
Conclusion
So, cockatiels eat cilantro. Cockatiels indeed love herbs and, in particular, coriander due to their flavor and nutritional value. The herb is safe for consumption by cockatiels—interchange with other herbs such as dandelion and rosemary leaves.
However, cilantro should not form more than 15% of the cockatiel’s diet. Too much of the cilantro herb is harmful to your pet. Supplement your pet’s diet with pellets which should form the more significant portion of their feed. Combine the cilantro with vegetables for a balanced diet.
