How to Feed Parrots
Most pet birds, from the tiny budgie to the huge hyacinth macaw, are parrots. There are 360 species of parrots, of which over 100 are commonly kept in captivity. Parrots are native to nearly every part of the world, and their diets in the wild vary tremendously. Some parrots, such as the hyacinth macaws, are specialized feeders that eat only one or two foods. Others eat a wide variety of fruit, nuts, seeds, leaves, bark, flowers and insects. In captivity, parrots should generally be fed in a way that takes their natural diet into consideration. However, data on the wild diet of a particular species is not always available, and when it is, it may be difficult or impossible to replicate. Because of this, parrots are often fed using the "shotgun method"--feeding a wide variety of foods in an attempt to cover as many nutritional requirements as possible.
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Things You'll Need
- High quality pelleted diet
- Sprout mix for birds
- Fresh produce
- Cuttlebone or mineral block
- Clean drinking water
- Healthy treats
Instructions
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Research your parrot's specific nutritional needs. Generally speaking, books and websites on specific species rather than parrots in general are most useful. If you are unable to find any information about specific dietary needs of the species you own, try searching for the genus your parrot belongs to. For example, if you have a Senegal parrot (Poicephalus senegalus), search for "Poicephalus nutrition."
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Choose a high quality pelleted diet to feed your parrot. Consider the fat and protein content of the pellets when you make your choice. Parrots that have higher fat diet requirements, such as macaws and Aratinga conures, should be fed pellets containing 10 percent or more fat. Cockatoos, Amazon parrots, cockatiels, budgies and other species that are prone to obesity should receive pellets that have a fat content of 4 to 5 percent. Most parrots do well on a pellet containing moderate (12 to 14 percent) protein levels. Depending on the size and species of your parrot, he may consume anywhere from 1 tsp. to 1 cup of pellets each day.
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Offer your parrot sprouted seeds once or twice a day. Most parrots love seeds, but dry seeds are nutritionally deficient. Parrots usually enjoy sprouted seeds as much or more, and the nutritional composition of the seed is greatly improved by the sprouting process. Sprout mixes for birds are available from bird specialty stores and online retailers, or you can make your own mixture using whole grains from a health food store.
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Feed your parrot a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. In general, you should feed your bird three to five different varieties each day and change the selection each week. Good choices include kale, peppers, berries, papaya, apples, cantaloupe, apricots, figs, and broccoli. The fruits and vegetables you choose should be reflect your parrot's specific dietary needs whenever possible.
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Attach a cuttlebone or mineral block to the side of the cage to provide additional calcium and micronutrients. Additional calcium supplementation may be necessary for certain species, especially African grey parrots. Consult your avian veterinarian before adding any form of calcium to your bird's food or water.
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Make sure a source of fresh, clean drinking water is available to your parrot at all times. The water dish must be washed with hot, soapy water at least daily, and more often if it becomes soiled. Never add anything to the water, including vitamin mixtures, unless your avian veterinarian has advised you to do so.
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Offer your parrot a variety of healthy treats, including small amounts of nutritious "people food." Good choices include baked sweet potatoes, cooked beans, whole wheat pasta, popcorn, corn on the cob, nuts and unsweetened cereal. Avoid foods that are high in salt, sugar, or unhealthy fats, such as ice cream, pizza, cookies, potato chips, and french fries. Dairy products should be fed in moderation, since all birds are lactose intolerant.
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Tips & Warnings
Although small pellets are usually sold for smaller birds, and large pellets for large birds, the nutritional content of pellets does not vary by size. Choose the size of pellet based on your parrot's preference. Some small parrots prefer large pellets and vice versa.
Lories, lorikeets, fig parrots, hyacinth macaws, and eclectus parrots have specific dietary needs and should never be fed using the "shotgun method." These birds require a specialized diet and can become quite ill if they are given a generic parrot diet.
Chocolate, coffee, avocado, rhubarb, raw onions and garlic, and uncooked amaranth are toxic to parrots and may cause illness or death if eaten.
Never make significant changes to a parrot's diet suddenly. Be sure that your parrot is eating the new foods before removing the previous diet.
