Diet for Birds

Bird watching and owning pet birds are popular hobbies, and for both activities, it's important to know about the dietary needs of birds. Different species of birds have varying diets, from vegan diets to ones that are completely carnivorous. Your knowledge about bird diets will help pet birds live long healthy lives, and will keep wild birds returning to your feeders.

  1. Seed-Eating Birds

    • Thousands of species of birds enjoy a diet of seeds from a variety of sources, but seeds alone are not enough to sustain a healthy pet bird because humans cannot offer the array of seeds that it would have access to in the wild. Offering pellet food for wild birds is a great way to be sure that you are not providing them with a version of unhealthy fast food.

    Seed Types

    • When trying to feed wild birds from a feeder it is usually best to have a mixture of seeds to attract the greatest variety of birds. A favorite for many birds is the black oil sunflower seed, which is high in healthy protein. Black oil sunflower seed mixed with the nyjer (thistle) seed and the grains millet and corn will keep birds and birdwatchers happy. When seed is offered to pet birds they will tend to pick out their favorite seeds and leave the rest. This can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and ultimately poorer overall health. Switching pet birds from a seed-based diet to a pellet-based diet is a good idea. The pellets are specially formulated with vitamins and minerals, and they provide almost all of the pet birds' dietary needs.

    Vegetable, Flowers And Fruit

    • Vegetables and flowers provide an excellent source of nutrients and minerals for many species of birds. According to peteducation.com, 15 to 30 percent of pet bird diets should consist of these foods while fruit should only take up about five percent as it is high in sugars. Always wash the fruits or vegetables. Try to make it somewhat difficult for your birds to get their meal as this will simulate natural foraging conditions and stimulate their brain and senses. Having to work a bit for their food intrigues and engages pet birds who have to stay in a cage for large amounts of time.

    Insects

    • Many birds include insects in their diets. This is because these birds do not get all of their required nutrients from seeds, fruits and vegetables. A good substitute for insects is suet, which can be obtained from meat counters and butchers, and is packaged specifically for the birds in grocery, variety and pet stores. Suet is made from beef kidney fat and does not last very long, especially in warm weather.

    Nectar

    • Nectar is a mixture of sugar and water and is enjoyed by hummingbirds. The ratio of water to sugar is four to one; the sugar is dissolved in boiling water and then left to cool. Like the suet, nectar should also be changed frequently; the nectar tends to mold which can be harmful to the hummingbirds. Because hummingbirds are attracted to bright colors, especially red, most of their feeders are colorful. Red food dye should never be added to the nectar as a way of attracting these birds, because it is potentially dangerous for them; the colorful feeders themselves will attract hummingbirds.