Safe & Toxic Food for Parrots

Tips on Feeding your Avian Companion: Purchase only enough fresh vegetables and fruits to last a few days to insure freshness. Where available, offer as much organic produce as possible.

For optimal health, a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is crucial. Just think if we were to eat the same foods day in and out, no doubt we all would get bored!

By offering your birds a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, will ensure they are getting the proper essential vitamins and minerals. Preparing a new batch of fresh fruits and vegetables every two to three days so that it is always fresh, changing the variety each time. The mixture is easily stored in an airtight zip-baggie for daily use.

Did You Know... In some situations, diet plays a role in behavioral problems. Birds that lack certain vitamins & minerals in their diet can resort to biting, plucking, etc. When we think of humans who are nutritionally deficient they can suffer from depression, anxiety, etc. The same can apply with parrots but they will resort to different behavioral problems.

FRESH FRUITS & VEGETABLES

I thought it would be helpful to provide a listing of fresh fruits and vegetables we offer our flock. Our birds are provided with a variety of approximately 16-18 different fruits and vegetables every day. Changing the mixtures variety every week. Please do not offer any canned vegetables or fruits to your birdies. The nutritional content is minimal and the sodium is very high. Whenever changing your bird’s diet, we highly recommend discussing with your avian vet.

The Fresh Food Mix: Always ensure one fruit and vegetable has a high vitamin A (beta-carotene) content in it (i.e. papaya, sweet potatoes, yam, cantaloupe, acorn squash, pumpkin). Vitamin A aids in Calcium absorption. Offering approximately 6 fruits and 6 vegetables daily. Several leafy green vegetables which have a high Calcium content (i.e. Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, Dandelion Greens, etc) are always mandatory in the mix.

Fresh Fruit: Apples (cored), Papaya (birds love Papaya Seeds), Mango (pitted), Oranges (seeded), Cantaloupe (Cantaloupe seeds are thoroughly enjoyed by our flock), Melon, Star Fruit, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Blueberries, Gooseberries), Pears (cored), Peaches (pitted), Plums (pitted), Kiwi (peeled), Banana (peeled), Cherries (pitted), Cranberries, Grapefruit (seeded), Tangerines (seeded), Cactus Pear (peeled), Banana (peeled), Apricots (pitted).

Fresh Vegetables: Red Beets (peeled)- can be offered raw or steamed, Radishes, Turnips, Carrots, Cooked Sweet Potatoes, Radicchio, Endive, Mustard Greens, Beet & Turnip Greens, Dandelion Greens, Swiss Chard, Kale, Parsley, Basil, Cooked Red Potatoes, Peeled Squash (Acorn, Spaghetti, Butternut, Summer, Pumpkin, etc.) Can be offered raw or steamed. Note: the seeds are a big hit with parrots!), Green Beans, Tomato, Sweet Red & Green Peppers, Hot Peppers, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Broccoli Rabe, Turnip Greens, Snow Peas, Tofu, Fennel, Kohlrabi, Sugar Snap Peas, Artichokes - can be stuffed with pine nuts as a foraging toy, Corn (can be either cut in chunks or cut off the cob).

NATURAL FLAVORINGS

Just like humans, parrots enjoy pizzazz in their food! Here are some helpful tips I use to "change" the flavor. This keeps birdies interested and guessing what the next meal will bring! Note: I like to alternate what "flavor enhancements" we put on our flock’s food. You may use these tips as aiding your birdy in eating a better variety of fresh foods.

Natural Flavorings: Fresh Squeezed Lemon or Orange Juice (Vitamin C ~ boosts the immune system), Diced/Minced Garlic (wonderful antioxidant), Peeled & Diced Ginger, Chopped Parsley or Basil, Ground Nuts (walnuts, almonds, pine, brazil, pecan), Chopped Cilantro, Dried Chili Peppers. You can also finely chop up some Birdy Bread and sprinkle on top of your bird’s food.

For more tips on getting your parrot on the road to eating healthy foods, be sure to read our article To Peel or Not to Peel.

SPROUTING

I provided a small list of items you can use to start sprouting. I recommend using GSE for sprouting. GSE (Grapefruit Seed Extract) aids in preventing mold growth. Sprouts are at their peak nutritional level when they first start to "pop".

• Seeds: Broccoli, Alfalfa, Kale, Sesame, Sunflower, Radish, Mustard, Millet, Red Clover, Dill
• Beans: Garbanzo, Adzuki, Mung (Note: Beans never should be offered dried)
• Grains: Oat Groats, Rye Berries, Wheat Berries, Whole Kernel Corn, Barely, Buckwheat, Quinoa, Amaranth

Here is a link to our recommended Sprouting Instructions.

TOXICITY

This is a brief list of toxic items. An excellent rule of thumb to follow is "When in doubt, do not offer it to your parrot!"
• Chocolate or cocoa should never be fed to birds in any form.
• Table salt when fed excessively will cause increased thirst to increase water consumption to increased urination. As well as foods with large amounts of sugar, grease, preservatives, artificial coloring.
• Never feed your pet parrot foods you yourself would not eat (Examples: Moldy foods, raw meats)
• Excessive amounts of Cooked and Raw Onions can be toxic to your bird. Onions contain the chemical n-propyl disulfide which denatures hemoglobin. This will in turn destroy Red Blood Cells. Causes: Anemia, Jaundice, Bloody Urine.
• Alcoholic beverages should be avoided at *all* costs.
• Apple Seeds contain Cyanide. Be sure to always remove apple seeds before giving a portion to your birds.
• Mushrooms have mold spores and have a potential of being toxic.
• Dairy items are not digested in birds. Birds do not have the digestive enzymes necessary to process milk. There are some products that are available on the market as an alternative to dairy products. Soy Milk, Tofu Cheese, etc. Which can be given to your birds as an alternative to dairy items.
• Carbonated AND Caffeinated beverages should be avoided at all costs.
• Avocado is toxic to birds as well due to the high fat content.

By Monica Gonzalez
Published/Revised 9/1/08.
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