Parrot Diet & Nutrition
We all want what's best for our parrot companions. But did you know that one of the main causes of a shorter lifetime, behavioral issues and poor health in parrots is a lack of proper nutrition? Pet stores are often not equipped with staff knowledgeable in avian nutrition.
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No two parrots are the same, and depending on the species of parrot you have, diet information may differ. But we're going to provide some general guidelines that can help you make diet choices. For more detailed, species specific information, we recommend you speak with your local avian veterinarian. We'll also put some useful links at the bottom of the page to explore.
Let's learn how to provide your friend with a healthy and whole diet. It'll make them feel good right away and help contribute to a long, happy life together for you and your bird.
So, Let's take a look at what a parrot should eat and how much.
This is just a very general guideline. These amounts may be different depending on the species of parrot.
*Some veterinarians recommend 60% pellet and others have said up to 80% is ideal.
Your best resource will be your bird's vet.
When people think of a parrot diet, they often think of them as eating mostly seeds and fruit. While this may be the case for some species, it's also important for us to consider a parrot's lifestyle in the wild vs. in our homes.
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In the wild, parrots can fly several miles per day. So, they will use up the calories they consume in seed and fruit. But due to the domestic nature of our parrots, consuming high amounts of sugar and fat is actually bad for their health, because they aren't as active as they would be in the wild.
Just as with humans, parrots can gain weight and have serious health problems from excess fat and sugar and lack of exercise. These are arguably the most common issues vets face when someone brings a parrot in with health issues.
So, is seed completely bad for birds?
No! Seed can play an important role in your bird's nutrition. The key to adding seed into a bird's diet is moderation and balance. Also, understanding your parrot's species specific nutritional needs can help you choose the right seed mix that will provide some of the vital nutrients that the bird needs to be healthy. Not all seed is created equal, so avoid cheap mixes from supermarkets and grocery stores. Never give your bird seed that is meant for wild birds.
Let's talk about pellets. Here's why they are important and how to choose the right kind .
Pellets are extremely important to a bird's diet because they are formulated with the nutrients that parrots need and are balanced to be the foundation of a bird's diet.
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Pellets should have the correct fat content, vitamins, and minerals to keep your bird healthy. The best pellets to feed your parrots are those that do not contain sugar or dyes. However, fruit flavored pellets can aid in converting a stubborn parrot from an all seed diet to pellet due to their more stimulating color, shape and taste. When choosing a pellet, aim for one that has a lower energy output as opposed to something high in calories and fat. Diets high in these can contribute to increased hormone production and behavior issues. Remember, the birds in our home require less calories than those in the wild!
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Here are some common veterinarian recommended brands of pellet. However, this is not a complete list and your avian vet should be your first source when finding the right food for your parrot.
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Harrison’s
Lafeber
Roudybush
Zupreem Naturals or Fruitblend Pellets
(Zupreem Fruitblend can be used as a way to convert a bird from seed to pellets as it has bright colors and a bit of sweetness - however the Naturals option is a more ideal choice long-term)
What about foods that can hurt your bird?
There's a lot to cover here. So, as far as foods that can actually hurt or kill your bird, we HIGHLY recommend that you visit this page for more info and speak with your avian vet so you can know what to never give your bird.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/foods-toxic-pet-birds
Arm yourself with as much information as you can to keep your feathered companions safe.
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