Foods to Avoid Feeding to Parrots

While variety is key to providing nutrition and enrichment for birds, there are definitely foods that should not be fed to parrots, and should be avoided.

Do not feed any of the following to birds:

Picture
  • Alcohol of any kind (may be deadly)
  • Avocado
  • Rhubarb
  • Raw onion
  • Chocolate
  • Caffeine (in any form)
  • Processed meats or ANY food containing nitrates, sulfites (including dried fruits) or monosodium glutamate (MSG)
  • Chemical dyes (includes some pellets)
  • Processed sugars and flours. Avoid commercial mixes with additives.
  • Peanuts not recommended -- may be contaminated with aspergillus and they produce a carcinogen called aflotoxin.
  • Cow’s milk (avian digestive systems do not digest lactose, as differentiated from lactase in yogurt)
  • Other processed foods, especially fast foods, high carb foods and ANY with high fructose corn syrup.
  • Garlic - Note: We used to recommend using some garlic for its healthy properties, but have since decided against using it as the allicin in it may be problematic for some parrots.