Parrots are omnivores. They can eat a variety of foods which are rich in nutrients and have great health benefits. By serving food, you can bond with your parrot. But question is that which type of food can parrot eat? As a parrot owner, you already know that all food items are not save for parrots to consume.
In this article, I will tell you about the food items that are safe and suitable for parrots to consume.
Read | Can Parrot Eat Cabbage?
1. Fruits and Berries
Fruits are full of vitamins and nutrients for parrot species. 80% wild parrots and 60% pet parrots eat fruits. Mango, watermelon, banana, apple, guava etc are all the fruits which are serve to parrots. As a parrot owner, it is your choice that which fruit you can serve to parrots. But, at the same time, preference of your parrot is important. Fruits in parrots diet keeps them healthy, strong and active.
You can add various types of berries to parrots like strawberries, blueberries etc . Parrots love to eat berries. Don’t serve pits and seeds of fruits to parrots as it is toxic for parrots.
List Of Fruits That Parrots Eat
Fruits are vital for parrots. You should serve fruits to parrots which are full of all nutrients. Fruits are safe and healthy for parrots. It provides great health benefits. You will add 15 to 30% of fruits to parrots diet. Parrots eat those fruits that fulfill energy requirements of their body.
As a pet owner, I will tell you banes of fruits that parrot species can eat. These fruits are as follows:
- Strawberry
- Banana
- Pineapple
- Orange
- Dragon Fruit
- Kiwi
- Mango
- Banana
- Blueberries
- Tomato
- Coconut
- Grapes
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Papaya
- Pear
By the Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology, fruits having nectarine affects parrots. Other than, your cutie pie can eat all fruits.
2. Vegetables
Wild parrots survive on eating different vegetables. Fresh vegetables are good for parrots to eat. You can add vegetables to parrot pellets to make your diet healthier and balanced. You can serve fresh veggies like peppers, cucumber, radish and carrots to your parrot for fun.
Leafy green vegetables are a good source of omega 3. Parrots need it to to maintain their skin and feathers healthy. Leafy green vegetables include kale, spinach, mint, celery, mustard etc. All are beneficial for parrots to eat but in moderation.
List of Vegetables That Parrots Eat
60% wild parrots and 70% pet parrots eat vegetables. If you want that your parrot bond with you, then serve it vegetables. There are many vegetables that parrots love to eat. As a parrot owner for 8 years, I will explain the list of vegetables which are good and healthy for parrots. It ensures the longevity of parrots’ lives.
Let’s discuss it!
- Cauliflower
- Carrot
- Pumpkin
- Kale
- Asparagus
- Broccoli
- Peas
- Corn
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Cabbage
3. Peppers and Chillies
Parrots can eat peppers and chillies without affecting their taste buds. The reason is that parrots have no taste receptors. So, they don’t feel the spiciness of these chillies and parrots. You cans serve green chilli, jalapeno pepper to your parrots according their mood.
4. Nuts
Nuts are of the lovely food item of your parrot. It has great health benefits. Walnuts are rich in many essential nutrients as compared to other nuts. Parrots love to eat nuts and they find a lot of fun in eating it. Nuts serve as playing toy for parrots. It is good for parrots in beak exercising. The names of nuts are as follows:
- Almond
- Cashew
- Brazil nuts
- Peanut
- Pistachios
- Hazel nuts
- Pine nuts
- Walnuts
- Pecans
5. Pasta
Parrots love to eat pasta whether it may cooked or uncooked. It is full of carbohydrates diet for your cutie pie. Boil pasta and mix other vegetables and serve to parrots. Adding vegetables will enhance its taste. If your parrots love raw pasta, then add nuts and small amount of macaroni or spaghetti to parrots.
6. Popcorn
Popcorn is one of the food item which is favorite food for parrots. You can serve popped or unpopped kernels without any hesitation to parrots. You can serve boil kernels to parrots. You can add coconut powder in popcorn and then serve it to parrots.
While serving popcorn to parrot, make sure that you can’t serve microwaved popcorns to parrots. This is because it is rich in fat, oil and salt which are toxic for your feathery friend.
Read | Can parrots eat popcorn?
7. Beans
Parrots love to eat beans. Beans are full of proteins for parrot species. It also rich in fiber which keeps parrots digestive system to work. Boil bean soap for 15 minutes. Never add salt, oil or seasonings in beans soap. Cool the beans and then serve to parrots. You can never serve raw beans to parrots as it is toxic for parrots.
8. Sprouts
Sprouts is one of the favorite food item which they like to eat on regular basis. It is the best source of carbohydrates, amino acid, calories, energy etc . Before serving to parrots, wash it because it contains pesticides. It has great health benefits for parrots. It is a source of raw nutrition for parrots.
9. Pellet
For a healthy diet, it is must for parrots that its diet consume 50% pellets food. Although a large amount of pellet food is beneficial for parrots. You can serve various fruits and vegetables as compared to pellet food. You can always choose a balanced diet pellet to parrots. There are several pellets which you can serve to your parrot, such as:
- Nutrisoft Macaw
- Cockatoo food
- Health Parrot Food
- Fiesta Natural Conure Food
10. Cereals
Farmers complaint that wild parrots eat their crops. Hungry wild attack on these crops in no time. Cereals and grains are rich of nutrients which are not found in other parrots. It provides great health benefits to parrots. Cereals are full of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. You can serve different cereals to parrots like:
- Oats
- Barley
- Wheat
- Maize
- Rice
- Millet
- Corn
- Sorghum
- Jowar
List of Food That Parrot Do Not Eat
Many food items are not safe for parrots to eat. As a parrot owner, it is mandatory to have a complete knowledge about the food item that you serve to parrot. Here is a little bit about these food:
- Seeds and pits
- Avocado
- Raw beans
- Celery sticks
- Mushrooms
- Raw rhubarb
- Garlic
- Onion
- Oil
- Salt
- Chocolate
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which Nutrients are Essential for Parrots?
Wild parrots like to eat seeds as well as insects, fruits and vegetables. This type of food is is full of nutrients and minerals that are essential for parrots for healthy living. Seeds are good source of Vitamin A, fiber, carbohydrates, calories and other nutrients. So, eating seeds causes starvation in parrots. So, sunflower seeds have more fats and calories that lead to obesity in parrots.
But, pellet food provides a balanced diet for parrots which are rich in all nutrients. Balanced diet leads to good health of parrots. There are several pellets which you can serve to your parrot, such as:
- Nutrisoft Macaw
- Cockatoo food
- Health Parrot Food
- Fiesta Natural Conure Food
How to Serve Food to An Adult Parrot?
Adult parrots need a large amount of pellet food about 70 to 90%. They need a very small amount of vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts etc. The reason is that pellet food is rich in balanced nutritious necessary for parrots.
The quantity of food which you serve to your feathery friend depends on the weight, age and parrot type. Read the instruction written on the back side of pellet food. Serve food to parrot two times daily for best health results.
Which Is Best Time for Serving Food to Parrots?
The best time to serve any food to parrots is morning and evening. If your parrot doesn’t like to eat fresh fruit and vegetables, don’t force your parrot to eat again.
You should clean water at every time to your feathery friend. Parrots like to pellets in evening.
Before serving food to the parrot, it is better to know which diet is appropriate for your parrot. Always consult a specialist in this matter.
Thanks for Reading!
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I’m Amna, and I absolutely adore birds, especially parrots. I’ve been immersed in the world of these colorful feathered friends for over 10 years. While I’m not a bird doctor, I’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge on how to care for and understand them.
My experiences extend to various bird species like parrots, macaws, cockatoos, canaries, and finches. In addition to my personal adventures with birds, I’ve dedicated time to volunteering at a local bird rehabilitation center.
My true passion lies in sharing what I know about parrots and birds with you. Through my articles, I aim to share the information you need to provide the very best care for your avian companions. So, let’s embark on this journey together and make your feathered friends’ lives as joyful and healthy as possible!