Food and Nutrition for Parrots
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Nutrients are most available when food is fresh and whole. Go organic when possible. VARIETY is the key, and is essential for PHYSICAL and MENTAL health and enrichment.
Parrot nutritional needs may vary not only by species, but also by individuals within that species due to possible food allergies, sensitivities, health conditions, etc.
Provide water in a bowl, and change the water frequently to help prevent bacteria, but give your bird a chance to enjoy this “water feature.” Many birds dunk their food or take a bath in their water dish.
Pay attention to what your bird actually eats, not just what you provide. If your parrot has not learned to eat fresh foods, try mixing minced food into pellets or seed, make a mash with a favorite item sprinkled on top to create curiosity, or demonstrate to your parrot that it is yummy to eat a particular food. Don’t give up. Your bird can learn to eat other healthy foods in addition to pellets!
Parrot nutritional needs may vary not only by species, but also by individuals within that species due to possible food allergies, sensitivities, health conditions, etc.
Provide water in a bowl, and change the water frequently to help prevent bacteria, but give your bird a chance to enjoy this “water feature.” Many birds dunk their food or take a bath in their water dish.
Pay attention to what your bird actually eats, not just what you provide. If your parrot has not learned to eat fresh foods, try mixing minced food into pellets or seed, make a mash with a favorite item sprinkled on top to create curiosity, or demonstrate to your parrot that it is yummy to eat a particular food. Don’t give up. Your bird can learn to eat other healthy foods in addition to pellets!
Calcium and parrots
Calcium is a key element for all parrots. Calcium-rich foods include leafy greens, carrots, unhulled sesame seeds, broccoli, dandelion and other greens, yogurt and almonds. To absorb calcium, vitamin D3 is needed, which can be acquired through sunlight naturally, or in pellets as a supplement. Let your parrot enjoy some safe time outdoors or provide access to a full spectrum light. Light filtered through window panes is not full spectrum, as glass blocks out the helpful UVA and UVB rays that birds need.
More on full spectrum light
If using a full spectrum bulb, it is important to get one that includes both UVA and UVB, and follow the directions for that bulb so birds aren't too close or far away from the bulb to receive the UV benefits. Replace at the recommended time as well, as the UV usually wears off before the bulb burns out.
The sun is the best source of full spectrum light and beneficial UV rays, so taking a bird outside safely in a carrier or aviary is not only great enrichment, but has physical health benefits as well.
More on full spectrum light
If using a full spectrum bulb, it is important to get one that includes both UVA and UVB, and follow the directions for that bulb so birds aren't too close or far away from the bulb to receive the UV benefits. Replace at the recommended time as well, as the UV usually wears off before the bulb burns out.
The sun is the best source of full spectrum light and beneficial UV rays, so taking a bird outside safely in a carrier or aviary is not only great enrichment, but has physical health benefits as well.
Vegetables, Fruits, and Vitamin A
Foods which help produce vitamin A are also essential for parrots. Deep orange vegetables and fruits are rich in beta carotene (hot peppers, yams, pumpkin, carrots, winter squashes, mango, papaya, apricots and cantaloupe, as are leafy greens, Brussel sprouts, and broccoli). Make vitamin A and calcium-rich foods a regular staple in your bird’s daily diet. Unhulled sesame seeds are a great source of calcium (hulled sesame seeds, on the other hand, are not). Dark green and orange vegetables are especially nutritious, and are good sources for Vitamin A, which is very important for a bird's overall health.
Corn is mostly starch, so while it may be delicious, and can be used to entice picky eaters to try a mixture or mash of foods, it should be fed in moderation.
Fruits are a delectable part of the diet of many parrots. Darker fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple provide the best nutrition. White-colored fruits such as grapes have higher levels of sugar so use those more sparingly. Keep dried fruits to a minimum and make sure they are always unsulphured. Grapes are mainly sugar, so can be given as a special treat, but should be given in moderation, or safe for those important behaviors like returning to the cage or going in a carrier.
Corn is mostly starch, so while it may be delicious, and can be used to entice picky eaters to try a mixture or mash of foods, it should be fed in moderation.
Fruits are a delectable part of the diet of many parrots. Darker fruits such as mango, papaya and pineapple provide the best nutrition. White-colored fruits such as grapes have higher levels of sugar so use those more sparingly. Keep dried fruits to a minimum and make sure they are always unsulphured. Grapes are mainly sugar, so can be given as a special treat, but should be given in moderation, or safe for those important behaviors like returning to the cage or going in a carrier.
Grains
Grains can be fed dry, soaked, sprouted or cooked. Sprouts are especially nutritious. Healthy grains include quinoa, buckwheat, groats, brown rice, kamut, amaranth, spelt, rye, unhulled barley, couscous, and oats. These can be cooked, sprouted or simply soaked. Quinoa is also an excellent source of protein and amino acids.
Legumes
Legumes should not be fed dry. Instead, they should either be fully sprouted (with tails) or cooked before fed to parrots. The most recommended legumes for parrots are mung, adzuki, garbanzo, green pea, and lentil. Legumes are a natural “seed” packed with enzymes.
Seeds, Nuts, and Protein
Healthy seeds contribute to the health of your parrot. These include: sprouts, soaked or sprouted grains, legumes, nuts, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and unhulled sesame seeds. Please do not feed your bird a packaged “bird seed” diet. Not only does this diet lack essential ingredients like vitamin A, calcium and protein, but most packaged seed diets are high in fat and lead to ill health. Smaller birds such as parakeets, cockatiels and lovebirds need more grains than pellets; such as oat groats, flax, canary seed and other grains.
Protein needs vary by parrots species. In addition to seeds or nuts, protein sources for parrots may include limited amounts of eggs and fish. Other animal protein is not recommended. Quinoa is considered a complete protein. In addition to protein, it is an excellent source of essential amino acids.
Protein needs vary by parrots species. In addition to seeds or nuts, protein sources for parrots may include limited amounts of eggs and fish. Other animal protein is not recommended. Quinoa is considered a complete protein. In addition to protein, it is an excellent source of essential amino acids.
More on sprouting and soaking
One very nutritious way for a parrot to eat “seeds” is by sprouting. Not only are sprouts super rich in live enzymes, as living plants, but sprouts can also be one of the least expensive, organic foods available. Grains and legumes can be bought in bulk or on-line. They are easy to grow, and best of all, uncontaminated by pesticides and other chemicals when we grow them ourselves. In addition, many birds will eat sprouts readily with no hesitation. Sprouts are a living food with a short shelf life, though, and will spoil quickly if not attended to properly.
Many grains can be soaked, which in essence brings them to “life.” For a meal, soak a small amount (as needed for one or two feedings) for 10-12 hours. The little birds like parakeets and cockatiels especially enjoy soaked grains. Try these for the best results: oat groats, kamut, brown rice, millet, unhulled barley, rye, spelt or buckwheat.
Many grains can be soaked, which in essence brings them to “life.” For a meal, soak a small amount (as needed for one or two feedings) for 10-12 hours. The little birds like parakeets and cockatiels especially enjoy soaked grains. Try these for the best results: oat groats, kamut, brown rice, millet, unhulled barley, rye, spelt or buckwheat.
ESSENTIAL fatty acids!!
Essential Fatty Acids (Omega 3, 6, 9) support key functions of the body and must be obtained through the diet. High sources of EFAs include flax seeds and flax seed oil, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, leafy vegetables, eggs and fish.
Pellets
Parrots evolved to eat natural, unprocessed foods. However, pellets provide a lot of vitamins and nutrients for birds. Look for pellets with organic ingredients, and that do not include unnecessary additives like dyes (ie avoid brightly colored pellets that look like breakfast cereal). Avoid extruded pellets made with high heat which greatly lowers the nutritional value. Pellets are not recommended as the ONLY available diet for any bird, but especially small species like budgies and cockatiels, or those with special dietary requirements like Eclectus.
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