Parrot Diet

The one thing that remains the same for all parrots regardless of their size and species is the need for a healthy diet. A nutritional diet will help them live longer and enjoy a better quality of life.

Seeds

There isn’t enough research currently to assess the type of diets that parrots sustain for a long period of time in the wild.  Experts are not in agreement regarding the best diet for pet parrots.  They do agree however, that a seed diet alone is not healthy for the majority of parrots.  Some parrots do well on a diet based on seeds but that is due to the hardiness of the parrot rather than the balanced seed diet.  Seeds are deficient in vitamin A and calcium and other nutrients as well.  Seeds are also high in fat. Seeds should only make up a small percentage of their healthy diet.  Budgies and cockatiels (natural seed eaters) can tolerate about twenty-five percent seeds in their diets.

Pellets

Pellet foods especially concocted for parrots are made from grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits plus vitamins and minerals.  The pellets provide a nutritious and balanced diet.  Just like you however, parrots would get bored eating the same things all of the time. These birds that crave varied stimulations.  Pellet food should only be the base of your parrot’s diet. It should comprise no more than about fifty to sixty percent of what he eats on a daily basis.

Fruits and Vegetables

You should offer your parrot fresh fruits and vegetables also.  They can be chopped into chunks for your parrot to hold and gnaw on.  To provide your parrot with stimulation, you should hang some pieces on the sides of the cage.  It is a good idea to feed your parrot as varied a diet as possible so that your parrot receives a well-rounded variety of nutrition.  Parrots like carrots, eggplant, cucumber, sweet potatoes, green beans, corn, cauliflower, sweet peppers, etc.  And they love fruits but try to feed them a variety of tropical fruits that they might have been exposed to in the wild; e.g. mangos, kiwi, melons, pineapple, papaya, and pomegranates.  Parrots also enjoy fruits like peaches, cherries, grapes, apples, oranges, or bananas.  When you are feeding your parrot these fruits, make sure he does not eat the pits of the fruit nor the apple seeds because they can be toxic.  Other toxic foods to avoid feeding your parrot are avocado, guacamole, chocolate or cocoa, alcohol, caffeine, and mushrooms.  Parrots should not eat a large amount of salt, sugar, grease, preservatives, food coloring, or other additives.

Grains

More great sources of nutrients for your parrot are grains such as cooked brown rice, oats, barely, wheat, and pasta.  Some parrot caretakers feed their birds whole wheat breads or unsweetened whole-wheat cereals.

Because parrots are such sensitive birds, you must really be careful about the diet that they are given.  Most problems with parrots stem from malnutrition.  You must understand the importance of your parrot’s diet and be willing to provide all their nutritional needs.