Can cockatiels eat peanuts?

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With caution
Peanuts · for cockatiels

Yes, with care — human-grade, shelled, unsalted peanuts are okay as an occasional treat. The risk is aflatoxin, a mold poison that causes liver disease in birds.

What it means for cockatiels

Because cockatiels are prone to fatty liver and vitamin-A deficiency, treat peanuts as an occasional, rationed treat rather than a regular food — a little goes a long way for a bird this size. Offer a small, cockatiel-sized portion.

The full picture on peanuts

Peanuts themselves are not toxic; the danger is Aspergillus mold, which produces aflatoxin and thrives inside peanut shells — especially in bulk bins and bird-feed-grade nuts. Chronic low-dose exposure causes liver disease; a moldy nut can cause acute poisoning. Peanuts are also fatty enough to crowd out better foods.

See the full peanuts guide or the Cockatiel diet guide for more.

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