“Can cockatiels eat tomatoes?”

“Are tomatoes safe for birds to eat or are they toxic?”

A lot of misinformation is spread about the toxicity of tomatoes for cockatiels, especially on Reddit and other forums. Most assume that tomatoes are completely toxic and 1 bite is enough to poison a cockatiel.

But this isn’t true. 

Tomatoes are in fact safe for cockatiels, but only in tiny amounts. 

This article explains the benefits & risks of feeding tomatoes to cockatiels.

You’ll also learn how to prepare tomatoes in ways that are safest for cockatiels and whether the leaves are safe or not. 

Are Tomato Leaves & Stems Safe For Cockatiels?

Although the tomato fruit is safe, tomato leaves and stems are toxic to cockatiels.

This is thanks to a compound called “solanine”, which tomato leaves and stems contain a lot of. Parrots, including cockatiels, have sensitive digestive systems, which make them highly susceptible to the poisonous effects of solanine.

The tomato fruit contains solanine as well, but not nearly as much as the leaves.

Just small amounts of tomato leaves can make your bird sick.

Consuming large amounts of solanine can lead to death.

However, small amounts of tomato fruit are still safe for cockatiels when fed in moderation.

When feeding tomatoes, ensure your bird has NO access to the stems or leaves.

Can Cockatiels Eat Tomato Seeds

Tomato seeds are not the healthiest snack for cockatiels.

They contain a compound called “oxalates”, which are known to cause kidney problems in humans when consumed in large amounts. Since tomato seeds cause kidney issues in humans, it would take a much smaller amount to negatively affect birds.

And according to Gardening Know How, tomato seeds also contain solanine.

Based on this, I’d say it’s best to avoid feeding tomato seeds to cockatiels.

Again, you can still feed the tomato fruits in small amounts, just not the seeds, stems, or leaves.

Benefits Of Tomatoes For Cockatiels

Tomatoes contain a range of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are beneficial to cockatiels in small amounts.

Here are the main nutrients your cockatiel will get from eating tomatoes:

• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Folate
• Vitamin K1
• Beta carotene (antioxidant)
• Choline
• Fibre

Info sources: Healthline.com, MedicalNewsToday.com

However, cockatiels can get these nutrients from less “risky” foods.

Risks Of Feeding Tomatoes To Cockatiels

The main risk of feeding tomatoes to parrots is overfeeding.

Tomatoes are highly acidic and contain large amounts of solanine, both of which are toxic to cockatiels in high amounts. If you don’t know where the limit is, you might accidentally overfeed, which can make your bird sick.

Additionally, you may accidentally feed an unripe tomato.

Unripe tomatoes are normally green and are even more acidic than red tomatoes.

The extra level of acidity makes unripe tomatoes bad for cockatiels, even in small amounts.

Accidentally feeding the stalk or stems is also a notable risk.

Safest Ways To Prepare Tomatoes For Cockatiels

To make tomatoes safe for birds, they must be fed in moderation and properly washed.

Pesticides are used on tomatoes, which is a substance used for preservation purposes and is toxic to parrots. Below is an explanation on the various ways you can serve tomatoes and if they’re safe for your feathered friend.

Dried Tomatoes

A lot of the acidity is removed from the tomato when dried, making them safer for birds.

After all, it’s mainly the acidity that makes tomatoes an issue for birds.

As long as the ones you buy have no added sugar, salt, fat, or artificial colours or flavours, dried tomatoes make for a good occasional snack. Sun-dried tomatoes are exactly a same, good in small amounts and less acidic.

If you feel the need to serve tomatoes, dried tomatoes might be your best option.

Ripe Tomatoes ONLY

As mentioned earlier, unripe tomatoes are toxic to birds due to their higher acidity levels.

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to identify an unripe tomato as they’re all green while ripe tomatoes are red and a bit softer. Ripe and red tomatoes are safe for cockatiels in tiny amounts, but green tomatoes should NEVER be fed.

“If it ain’t red, it cannot be fed”

Keep this little rhyme in mind.

Raw Or Cooked Tomatoes? Which Is Better For Parrots?

Both raw and cooked tomatoes are safe for cockatiels to eat.

Raw tomatoes are better sources of vitamin C than cooked tomatoes while cooked tomatoes contain more of certain antioxidants. It’s also important to know that tomatoes become more acidic the longer they cook.

Due to this, raw tomatoes are assumably safer for cockatiels than cooked tomatoes.

But as long as you’re only offering a bite or 2, raw and cooked tomatoes are ok for birds.

What Fruits Can Cockatiels NOT Eat?

Many bird owners assume tomatoes are toxic, but we now know that to be false as they’re safe in small amounts. When bird owners think of toxic fruits, their minds automatically think about tomatoes.

Considering what we know now, here are some fruits that are actually toxic to cockatiels:

• Avocados
• Rhubarb
• Apple seeds
• Cherry pits
• Apricot seeds

Avoid feeding the listed items to your cockatiels.

Short Summary | Conclusion

So, can cockatiels eat tomatoes or not?

In short, raw or cooked tomatoes are safe for cockatiels in tiny amounts only.

The main issues with tomatoes are the acidity levels and solanine, both of which are harmful to cockatiels in large amounts.

Although the inner fruit is safe, you MUST avoid feeding the tomato leaves or stems.

These contain the highest levels of solanine and will make your bird sick if fed.

It’s also important to only offer ripe tomatoes to your parrot as unripe tomatoes are more acidic.

One final note…

If you believe there’s still a big risk in feeding tomatoes, you can simply avoid offering them. There are plenty of other fruits high in nutrition, so tomatoes aren’t needed. If you’d rather stick to the extra safe side, don’t feed any tomatoes at all.

But still know that they’re safe in limited amounts.

Thank you for reading

Learn How To Feed A Nutritionally Balanced Cockatiel Diet Here