Bird nutrition is one of the most important aspects of responsible bird ownership. You can directly control what goes into your bird, and only you can make sure his nutritional needs are being met. The proper type of bird nutrition depends on the breed of your bird.
Many birds eat a diet consisting primarily of seeds which is fine for some breeds. For example, budgies and cockateils eat a diet consisting largely of seeds. For Parrots and most other psittacine birds, however, a seed diet can be detrimental. In general, seeds are high in fat and this may not only increase your bird’s weight but may also hinder his ability to absorb calcium. For parrots, palletized foods formulated specifically for the nutritional needs of parrots are a much better choice.
Proper bird nutrition goes beyond specialized pellets. Many birds enjoy and benefit from some of the same foods healthy humans eat. Vegetables and fruits can be very beneficial to birds - with a few warnings. Some types of avocados are toxic to birds, so all types of avocados should be avoided. Some fruit seeds contain dangerous chemicals or compounds, so fruit seeds should be removed before the fruit is fed to the birds. One example is apple seeds which contain cyanide. The pits of peaches, plums, apricots, and cherries may be dangerous as well, and should be removed before these fruits are fed to pet birds.
Never feed a bird chocolate; this is toxic to most birds. In general, birds shouldn’t eat the fatty, salty, fried foods that we humans shouldn’t eat either. Foods that are bad nutritional choices for humans are also bad bird nutrition.
Varied and balanced bird nutrition can sometimes be tricky to introduce to a pet bird. Birds tend to be naturally cautious about trying new foods. In the wild, birds usually will not eat something they do not see another bird eating. Take this into consideration when introducing new foods - whether pellets or fruits and vegetables. Be patient, and allow the bird to watch you eating a particular food before you feed it to him; seeing you eat something may actually help him decide to try it.
If your bird is still hesitant to try new foods, you may want to mix the new food in with his current seeds; he might inadvertently taste it while looking for seeds. Another option is to tie a piece of new fruit or vegetable to his perch. If he doesn’t want to try it, he will want to throw it to the cage floor. In the process of removing it from the perch, he may eat a small piece and decide he actually likes it.
Determining the proper bird nutrition for your breed is one of the most important things you can do for him. If you find you have been feeding your bird the wrong diet, make the changes slowly and gradually; he’s more likely to accept the change this way. Proper bird nutrition can help ensure good health over the life of your bird.
QC-PR-011607-AM
