Safe and Toxic Foods for Budgies

Not all foods are safe for budgies. This page lists what foods you should offer and which ones to avoid to keep your budgie healthy. 

Feeding your budgie the right foods is one of the most important parts of keeping them healthy. While there are lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains that are safe (and even great) for budgies, there are also some foods that can make them very sick — or even be deadly.

This guide breaks down what’s safe to feed and what to avoid completely.

✅ SAFE FOODS FOR BUDGIES

These are safe, healthy, and recommended in moderation as part of a balanced diet:

🥦 Vegetables (best daily)

• Carrot (grated or sliced)

• Broccoli

• Silverbeet

• Kale (in small amounts)

• Bok choy

• Spinach (occasional)

• Zucchini

• Green beans

• Peas

• Corn (raw or lightly steamed)

• Capsicum

🟢 Offer fresh veggies daily — remove any leftovers after a few hours.

🍎 Fruits (treats only)

• Apple (no seeds)

• Pear

• Banana

• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

• Mango

• Kiwi

• Rockmelon or honeydew

• Watermelon

🟡 Only feed fruit 2–3 times a week — it’s high in natural sugar.

🌾 Other safe foods

• Cooked brown rice, quinoa, oats (plain, unsweetened)

• Wholegrain toast (tiny piece)

• Boiled egg (tiny piece, once in a while)

• Chia, flax, or hemp seeds

• Millet spray (treat only)

• Sprouted seeds

🚫 TOXIC FOODS TO AVOID

These foods can cause serious health issues or even be fatal — never offer these to your budgie:

• Avocado (very toxic)

• Chocolate

• Onion

• Garlic

• Alcohol

• Caffeine (tea, coffee, cola, energy drinks)

• Apple seeds and other fruit seeds/pits (contain cyanide)

• Rhubarb

• Raw beans

• Junk food (chips, cookies, candy, etc.)

• Sugary or salty foods

• Fatty, fried, or processed foods

• Dairy products (especially milk and cheese)

🧼 A Few Extra Tips

• Wash all fresh food to remove pesticides and dirt

• Introduce new foods slowly and watch for reactions

• Always remove uneaten fresh food after 2–3 hours

• Don’t put fresh food near perches where it might get dirty

• Variety is great — aim to mix up what you offer each week!

✅ QUICK REFERENCE

Great Daily Foods:

🥕 Carrot, broccoli, peas, corn, spinach, bok choy

Great Weekly Treats:

🍌 Banana, apple (no seeds), strawberries, millet spray

Absolutely NEVER Feed:

🛑 Avocado, chocolate, garlic, onion, alcohol, caffeine, apple seeds