Parrot Diets

Whilst feeding your parrot may seem to be a little common sense mixed with a little trial and error some parrot diets include special nutritional needs.

The African Grey for example needs a regular calcium supplement or it will very quickly become ill.

Certain species of parrot have specific dietary needs and you should always seek as much information as you can concerning the breed of bird that you keep or intend to purchase.   The breeder will be only too happy to tell you all about the parrot's diet before he lets you leave with the bird.   If you go to buy a bird and the breeder cannot answer all your questions, particularly concerning feeding, then do not buy from that person.   Seek out a breeder who understands the parrot he/she breeds and is well informed in all matters connected with that species.

All birds are scavengers and therefore will eat most things set in front of them.   However, I will try to demonstrate here the basic guidelines for a parrot diet.

There are many very good pellets on the market, which are a total food for most breeds of parrot.   They usually contain all the nutrients your bird will require on a daily basis.   There is no truth in the rumour that seed is more fattening than pellets, or that sunflower seeds contain any more fat than safflower seeds.    As most parrots of all sizes enjoy spray millet and when I have given this to my parrots they devour them very quickly.   As a treat they will eat the odd chip and certainly any cooked green vegetable.   The parrot diet should include a mixture of pellet and natural ingredients.

Basic Parrot Diet:

Fresh food should consist of well washed vegetables such as; carrots, cabbage, chicory, dark spring greens, green peas, cooked sweet potato, broccoli, cauliflower and fruits such as apples, bananas, grapes, pomegranates, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and nectarines.   The list is endless with the exception of Avocado.   DO NOT give avocado pear to your parrot it will kill your bird almost certainly and if it does not then it will make the bird extremely ill.

As a rare treat include dairy products such as cheese and egg in your parrot diet.   Your bird will  enjoy such a treat.    These should be given very infrequently.   As your bird is living in an aviary or indoor cage it will not need as much protein as a wild bird.   Too much protein can cause your parrot to have lasting damage such as renal failure or even gout.  

DO NOT give your parrot chocolate this is very toxic to your bird but you can add some dried fruit to the food dish from time to time.

As with humans a parrot diet should be varied as much as possible.