A budgie weighs about as much as a few coins. That is why a nibble that would not bother you or your dog can matter a lot to a small bird. Some everyday foods are properly dangerous for birds, and a few others are simply not good for them in large amounts.
The good news is that the list is short and easy to learn. Use the checker below to look up a food, then read on for the rules behind it.
No match. If it is not on the list, ask an avian or exotics vet before offering it.
The checker sorts foods into four groups. Never means a food that can poison a bird, so it stays out of reach. Better avoided means not poisonous in a nibble but poor for a budgie, such as salty, fatty or sugary human food. Small amounts covers fruit and seeds that are fine as a treat but not as the main meal. Yes is the fresh veg and greens that can be part of every day.
Vets and welfare groups agree on the shape of it, even if the exact numbers vary. A good quality pellet made for budgies is the base, because a bird that picks out only its favourite seeds can miss important nutrients. Seed is rich in fat, so it works better as a smaller part. Fresh vegetables and greens go in daily, and fruit is more of a weekly treat. One bird-vet source suggests pellets should make up about 80% of the diet, so ask your vet what suits your bird, especially when changing over from seed.
Fresh food should be replaced at least once a day, and water must be fresh and always available. A cuttlefish bone or mineral block gives extra minerals. Some budgie guides recommend grit, but a parrot vet guide says parrots do not need it and too much can block the gut, so ask an avian vet before adding it.
If it is on the "Never" list, keep it out of the room, not just out of the cage. Budgies that fly free will find crumbs, cups and plates.
Most accidents are not deliberate feeding. A bird lands on the edge of your plate, nibbles a crumb of the avocado toast, or sips from your mug. If your budgie is out of the cage while you cook or eat, keep an eye on it and cover plates and cups. Non-stick pans and aerosols are a separate danger for birds (fumes), so keep them away from the bird's room too.
Fruit pips are the other sneaky one. A slice of apple is fine, but the core is not, so cut the slice before you hand it over.
Do not wait for signs. Call an avian or exotics vet or an emergency vet straight away and say what was eaten, roughly how much, and when. Do not try to make the bird sick: birds cannot vomit, and trying can cause harm. Take the packaging with you if you can. Small amounts are not always fatal, and quick treatment gives the best outcome.
Also call a vet if your budgie is fluffed up and sleepy, has watery droppings, breathes with effort, or loses interest in food, whatever the cause. This guide is general advice, not a diagnosis, and it can never replace a vet who has examined your bird.
Where sources differ, such as on lettuce, peanuts and grit, the guide says so. Guidance can change, so check with your own vet.