How Much and What to Feed a Parakeet

Parakeets, also known as budgerigars, budgies or by their scientific name, Melopsittacus undulatus, are small members of the parrot family. According to Petco, they are the most popular pet bird species in the United States. These brightly-colored birds grow to be about seven inches long and can live between 10 and 20 years, given the correct housing and diet.

  1. Base Diet

    • Parakeets naturally live on grass seeds and other grains, as well as plant leaves, flowers and fruit. Most captive parakeets benefit from a base diet of pellets formulated specifically for their species. Petco recommends that these pellets make up around 60 to 70 percent of the birds' diet. Avoid fortified seed mixes, since they are less nutritious than pellets and can encourage obesity in parakeets. Provide a cuttlebone to give parakeets extra calcium.

    Supplemental Foods

    • In addition to a pellet-based core diet, parakeets should receive fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains and even flowers. Chopped greens, tomatoes, root vegetables and squash all benefit parakeets. They also enjoy flax seed, oats, wheat berries, barley, brown rice, wild rice and oats. They can consume some pasta and couscous, but should receive only whole grain products, rather than refined grains. Legumes, such as beans, lentils, peas and soybeans, also make good parakeet supplements.

    Treats

    • Many commercial parakeet foods include large amounts of nuts and seeds, such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. These foods are cheap, and parakeets enjoy them, but they provide too much fat and can cause nutritional deficiencies if fed as a staple. Offer nuts and seeds as occasional snacks to provide interest and reward good behavior. Flowers, including dandelions, hibiscus, lilac, honeysuckle violets and roses, make good treats, but must be obtained from herbicide and pesticide-free sources.

    Feeding

    • Free-feed parakeets by filling a small bowl or birdseed container with pelleted foods. Allow the parakeet to eat as much as it wants, unless it becomes obese. Inspect the dish regularly and change the pellets if they become damp or stale. Wet pellets can become moldy or encourage insect infestations. Provide fresh food on a daily basis, but remove any uneaten food within 24 hours to avoid spoilage. Offer a variety of food to keep the parakeet interested.

    Warning

    • Not all fresh food is safe for parakeets to eat. Fava and navy beans, as well as their sprouts, can poison these birds. They should also never receive apple seeds, avocado, cabbage, onions, potatoes, lemons or grapefruit or foods containing caffeine. Avoid animal-based foods, such as butter. Avoid providing prepared human foods, which may be high in salt or other undesirable additives.