Can Cockatiels Eat Watermelon? Read the Benefits Before You Feed
Cockatiels require a balanced diet full of nutrients, minerals, and adequate water in order to survive. According to a study by the University of California, cockatiels must be fed a diet from a hatch with a measured ratio. And watermelon ticks many of these boxes.
Can Cockatiels eat watermelon? Yes, you can give watermelon to your beloved bird without any concern. Watermelon is full of water. It contains lots of vitamins, protein, sugar, anti-oxidants etc. All these come with low calories which gives a boost to the health of your Cockatiel.
However, you just can’t go and put a piece of watermelon in front of your cockatiel. There should be a proper way of doing it. Moreover, it isn’t the only fruit that you can feed your bird. Keep reading to learn about it in detail.
Can Cockatiels Eat Watermelon?
Cockatiels can eat watermelon. Besides, it turns out to be one of the favorite fruits of the bird. But it mostly depends on the bird’s mood, health, and taste. So don’t be surprised if it’s avoiding the fruit at times.
In that sense, after giving your cockatiel watermelon, wait for an hour or two. If it doesn’t eat in this period, take it away. But it’s unlikely since most cockatiels like its taste and will probably jump into it.
Furthermore, if your cockatiel doesn’t eat the watermelon, you can eat it or give it to one of your family members. But don’t force the bird to eat watermelon. This might end up bad.
You can watch this video, and you’ll know how much the bird enjoys eating watermelon.
Do Cockatiels Enjoy Eating Watermelon?
Almost all birds love watermelon and cockatiels are no exception. Be it seeds, the fruitbody, or even the rind; your bird will simply dig into it.
However, they mostly like the flesh, since it’s sweet and juicy. Its water content hydrates and refreshes them, so on hotter days, they’d love eating some chunks of watermelon.
Why Should I Feed My Cockatiel Watermelon? Nutritional Benefits
Watermelon is mostly made of water (92%). It is a low-calorie fruit with many health benefits. Let’s look at the nutrition facts of watermelon:
| Ingredients | Quantity |
| Calories | 46 |
| Fat | 0.2g |
| Sodium | 1.5mg |
| Carbohydrates | 11.5g |
| Fiber | 0.6g |
| Sugars | 9.4g |
| Protein | 0.9g |
| Vitamin C | 12.3mg |
| Vitamin A | 42.6mcg |
| Lycopene | 6890mcg |
These values are for 152g of diced watermelon according to the U.S. Department of agriculture.
Apart from these, it also contains minerals like Vitamin B5, Choline, Magnesium, Potassium, Copper and Iron. Let’s discuss the benefits of some of these ingredients for your cockatiel:
Water
Waters are really important for cockatiels. This element helps the bird stay hydrated in hot weather.
Protein
Cockatiels go through hormonal changes from time to time. Hence, they require energy, and an important amount of that energy comes from protein.
Vitamin A
Respiratory diseases are very dangerous for cockatiels. And foods containing vitamin A help to counter those diseases. Moreover, the maintenance of such birds is also assisted by vitamin A.
Vitamin B5
This vitamin helps to improve the sight of cockatiels. It also helps the bird to have a healthy gut.
Vitamin C
Likewise, the Vitamin C element is important for the immunity of not only humans but also animals. Besides, feathered animals require a healthy and proper immune system.
Copper
Bones are an important part of a bird’s body. Wings and legs are highly dependent on healthy bones. And copper ensures healthy bones for cockatiels.
Lycopene
Lycopene is an anti-oxidant. It helps to fight against various diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, etc., can not harm your cockatiel if you give it proper lycopene.
Potassium
Potassium is important for a bird’s fluid maintenance. The nervous system of the bird also highly benefits from a healthy balance of Potassium.
Magnesium
Accordingly, Magnesium helps to improve the neurons of a cockatiel. If your bird has pale feathers, this ingredient can surely help to return the glow.
When Should I Reduce Feeding My Bird Watermelon?
Anything excessive is injurious to health. The same goes for watermelon. Too much watermelon can lead to red and watery stool.
On top of that, if the cockatiel consumes too many watermelon seeds, there is a possibility that a seed can get stuck in its throat and choke. Hence, you should be careful.
Quantity And Frequency of Servings of Watermelon for Cockatiels
Let’s discuss the things you should consider about the quantity and frequency of intake of watermelon for your bird:
- Ensure the watermelon is organic before purchasing
- Wash it thoroughly before chopping to remove fungus and bacteria
- Cut it to as small a size as possible before serving it to your cockatiel
- If the pieces aren’t small, there can be a possible choking
- Make sure that the bird can hold the pieces with its claws
- A small slice of watermelon will be enough for your cockatiel
- If your bird isn’t drinking enough water but eating regularly, watermelon can be a really good option to cover the water deficiency
- You can consider adding fiber alongside watermelon to maintain the balance
- Feed your bird watermelon once or twice a week
- Within two hours, discard any leftover watermelon to avoid pollution
Can Cockatiels Eat Watermelon Skin?
You can feed fruit and seeds of the watermelon to your cockatiel. As for the skin, it’s best not to give it to cockatiels. However, if you can ensure the following things, it’s okay to feed your bird the skin:
- The watermelon should be organic
- The skin should be cleaned with care
If you can’t ensure these, don’t let your bird eat the skin of the watermelon as it can make the bird sick.
FAQ
If you’re considering watermelon or other fruits for your cockatiel, check out the answers to some more queries below.
Can cockatiels have watermelon juice?
It’s okay to give watermelon juice to cockatiels. Any food that is safe for the cockatiel can be given in a juice form too. However, don’t forget to properly maintain the dietary balance.
Can cockatiels eat grapes?
Yes, Cockatiels can eat grapes. They can have many benefits for cockatiels but make sure they’re consumed in moderation.
Key Takeaways
Can Cockatiels Eat Watermelon? Watermelon can be the answer to many of the dietary issues of your cockatiel. As it contains elements for almost all the health benefits, make sure to put small slices of this red fruit in the bowl of your bird.
Nevertheless, remember that a diversified diet is the best diet. So make sure to accompany watermelon with regular pellets and other ingredients to maintain the balance. And don’t force the bird to eat anything.
Resources:
- https://academic.oup.com/jn/article-abstract/121/suppl_11/S206/4744148?redirectedFrom=fulltext
- https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-lycopene
