Bird Foods for Small Parrots

Feeding your parrot a varied diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains and vitamin-fortified bird pellets is vital to its health. Diet is not only a factor in a bird's well being, but also in their behavior. The nutritional deficiency believed to cause birds to pluck and mutilate their feathers is unknown; however, pet birds that are fed a diet low in fruits and vegetables are more likely to bite, scream, mutilate and pluck than birds fed appropriately. Feed your smaller parrot a diet that is a modified version of a larger parrot's diet, suggests Doctors Foster &Smith, a pet education website.

  1. Formulated Pellet

    • A formulated pellet is a combination of seeds, vegetables, fruits, vitamins and different proteins ground into a dough and baked. According to Doctors Foster &Smith, formulated pellet is better for birds than a seed mixture, because the pellet has all the essential nutrients. This diet also helps in behavior and plucking issues, because the food provides needed nutrients that the bird was lacking.

    Fruits and Vegetables

    • Parrots can eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, and with so many your vet can suggest a complete food list for your parrot. Typically, parrots enjoy radish, bell pepper, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant and corn. Fruits include watermelon, strawberry, apple without the seeds, pitted fruits without the pits, star fruit and kiwi. Parrots can also eat certain herbs such as cilantro, aloe vera, St. Johns Wort, cinnamon and chamomile, which are great for their health. Feed dry or fresh herbs with other fruits and vegetables. All fresh items should be organic and chemical free.

    Grains, Nuts and Meats

    • Feed your small parrot a variety of meats such as fish, scrambled egg, chicken, and grains such as bulgar wheat, brown rice and millet. You can feed them nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans and filberts. Serve only cooked meat for your parrot, and purchase nuts that are already shelled. Small parrots have strong beaks, but their beaks are not strong enough to shell tough nuts like walnuts and almonds. Meat, grains and nuts can also be given mixed with cooked or raw vegetables.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Parrots can't tolerate salt or high-fat foods and small parrots are at greater disadvantage because their smaller bodies absorb these foods more rapidly. Never feed your small parrot junk food such as chips or fried foods. There are also fresh foods that are dangerous or even poisonous to your bird, such as avocado, fruit pits, onions and mushrooms. Additionally, never give your bird any food that contains caffeine or alcohol, because these items are deadly to parrots.