List of Macaw Foods

Macaw parrots come from Central and South America, where they live in the tree tops of tropical forests. Kept often as pets, there are 17 species of macaw, such as the Hyacinth and Noble Macaw. These birds have over-sized heads and beaks, long wings and tails and slender bodies. Macaws eat a wide variety of foods.

  1. Palm Fruit

    • The diet of wild macaws consists primarily of the flesh of the palm fruit. The flesh of this fruit is similar in texture to a raw potato and is housed between the brown skin and the nut.

    Nuts

    • Both wild and domesticated macaws enjoy a wide variety of large nuts, which their beaks allow them to consume easily. The nuts recommended for macaws include macadamia nuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pecans and almonds.

    Pellets

    • Formulated macaw diets, such as pellets, seed mixes and parrot mixes, are available in many pet stores. While macaws do enjoy these foods, the Animal World website recommends feeding formulated diets alongside daily servings of fresh vegetables and fruits.

    Fruit

    • Macaws, as well as many species of parrot, adore fresh fruit. Provide quantities of fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, grapefruit, pear, pineapple, coconut, mango, melon, berries, plums, papaya and peaches on a daily basis. While you should wash the fruit prior to giving it to your macaw, they can peel fruits, such as bananas, themselves.

    Vegetables

    • Fresh vegetables are also suitable foods for macaws. Give your bird choices such as tomato, asparagus, sweet potato, broccoli, spinach, kale, corn, cucumber, pumpkin, sprouts and peppers. The Parrot Times website recommends not feeding avocado, which can be toxic to macaws.

    Additional Foods

    • Many human foods can be included in your macaw's diet if they are nutritious options. Experiment with giving your macaw small portions of cooked beans, pasta and wild rice. Foods such as bagels, scrambled eggs and crackers are also suitable for macaws, as well as cooked meat.