Do you want to see your feathered friend live a long and healthy life? Then proper nutrition for your pet bird is needed. Majority people want to feed seed mixes to their pet birds. But you have to think beyond the seed mixes for their optimal health.

So what should we feed our pet birds? Get expert tips about what to feed your parrot. A proper nutritious bird diet comprises a balanced portion of seeds, nuts, pellets, fruits and vegetables. 

Keep in mind that not all birds have the same dietary requirements. It’s better to talk to your veterinarian before you bring them home. It is also recommended to feed them the same food when you first bring them home. Any changes in diet should be made gradually afterwards.

Now let’s discuss some basic information about their diet and nutrition.

What Do Parrots Eat

Parrot’s diet varies with their species. For example, small birds’ diets differ from larger birds. There is no ideal or perfect diet for them. Sometimes they become very picky, especially when it comes to food. You often see them only eat their favorite ingredients and won’t touch the rest. To keep them best in their interest we should offer a variety of foods.

Choosing a proper diet and getting them used to it could be challenging for us. The dietary needs of parakeets differ from the african grays, a growing bird’s diet differs from the older. Even a bird’s breeding condition influences their dietary needs. 

We will delve deeper into exploring ways to meet these needs.

Seeds and Nuts

Some common seeds from the seed mixes are millets, sunflower, canary, hemp and so on. Those seeds are high in carbohydrates and fats. It doesn’t contain enough vitamin A, vitamin B12, amino acid, calcium, protein, or trace minerals for the pet parrots. Keeping these in everyday diets or feeding them often could lead to some health issues, as veterinarians recommend. Illness such as atherosclerosis, fatty liver, and diabetes could result from overfeeding the seed mixes.

It is recommended to offer these seeds only as treat or for training purposes, limiting their consumption to maintain the birds’ well-being.

Larger birds such as macaws, african grays, and conures require an additional source of protein. As we know, nuts are a great source of protein and they play a vital role in their diet. Some common nuts such as walnuts, brazilian nuts, hazelnuts, cashews can be offered to your pet birds. Don’t forget to avoid the salted or honey-roasted nuts. It is highly recommended to offer them the raw nuts for the best source of protein. 

Pellets

Pellets have become more popular in recent days among bird owners. First, let’s begin with how they are made. They consist of ground-up grain, vitamins and minerals that are baked at a low heat and formulated in different shapes.  You can find some colored pellets in pet stores, while most of them have natural colors. These custom-made feeds offer a rounded source, constituting a significant portion of your bird’s pelleted diet, typically ranging from 60% to 80%.

It is highly recommended from the veterinarian and most of the avian professionals to include these in their daily diets. Remember, quality matters, so choose some reputable brands such as Harrison’s, Kaytee, and Zupreem.

Fruits and Vegetable

This might surprise you, but your pet birds love some dark-leafy green fresh vegetables. Many vegetables consist of vitamin, calcium, protein, fiber and other nutrients. On the other hand, fruits are also high in vitamins, and they love the taste and colorful look of fruits. When keeping a bird indoors, it’s important to include fruits and vegetables in their diet, making up 20% to 40% of their daily food intake. Some great choices are:

Keep in mind, do not add any dressing when you serve these food to your pet birds.

Supplements and Special Dietary

Most birds typically receive all the nutrients they need from a balanced diet. However, there are times where additional dietary supplements might be required. This could be due to:

• Special dietary needs

• Stress

• Illness

• Deficiency in the diet

Let’s delve into the topic of supplements and specialized dietary needs for our feathered friends.

Types of Supplements

Various types of supplements such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids are available for birds. However, it’s important to use these supplements responsibly and under the guidance of a professional or a veterinarian. They also can benefit from organic supplements as they provide nutrients that may not be present in their regular diet. 

When to Consider Supplements

How do you know if your bird has vitamin deficiency? You can tell by looking at these sign:

• Nasal discharge

• Sneezing

• Swelling around the eyes

• Difficulty breathing

• Increased drinking and urinating

• Poor feather quality

• Feather picking

• Anorexia

Calcium and magnesium are important minerals for them. Calcium plays a vital role in new cell formation, especially in feathers and bones. It also helps with muscle contraction, blood clotting and heart function. Meanwhile, magnesium helps prevent disease and maintain physiological function.

How Often to Feed Pet Birds

Birds like to have their meal during the daytime everyday. The amount of food actually varies among different sizes and species. It is a good idea to fill the bowl at least half to three-quarter full for them every morning and evening. Sometimes you should change the food and give them some fresh fruits and vegetables. If they don’t eat these fruits and veggies for more than four hours, then it is recommended to replace them with other foods. 

Toxic Foods for Birds

Since we learned what to feed our birds, we also need to learn what to avoid. Yes, there are some foods that are toxic for our feathered friends. Certain foods that humans regularly consume can be toxic for them and cause serious health issues. Additionally, overfeeding and unsafe preparation could harm your birds. Here are some toxic foods listed below:

• Chocolate or cocoa

• Avocado

• Garlic

• Cassava (tapioca)

• Caffeine

• Dairy products

• Uncooked beans

• Onion

• Scallions

• Meat

• Mushrooms

• Alcohol

• Peanuts

• Fruit seeds and pits

• Apple seeds

Also, food with salts, sugars, fats need to be avoided for their healthy diet. We also need to look after overfeeding and unsafe food preparation. It is better to clean their feeder everyday. Be safe, and take care of your birds.

Mohammad Solaiman

About Author

I’m a bird lover & breeder living in New York. I always love to share the journey I have with my friends, family, and the people surrounding me. On this website, I only share my personal experiences related to birds and some informational content based on my research and the knowledge of some of my bird lover friends. While I’m not a veterinarian, none of these articles are intended to replace professional veterinary advice. If your bird has medical concerns, always seek professional assistance or take them to a vet.