Healthy Parrot Food

Parrots enjoy eating many of the same foods their human owners do. In fact, fresh foods help your parrot stay strong and cheerful. Along with a dry mix that includes dried fruits and vegetables, your parrot needs a variety of fresh foods. Introducing your bird to different types of food keeps his world exciting. Knowing what to feed your parrot is the first step in keeping him healthy and happy for years to come.

  1. Give Your Parrot Fruits and Vegetables

    • A healthy parrot diet includes lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Give them a variety of colorful foods with different shapes and textures. Apples, broccoli, beet greens, celery, chickweed, chicory, collard greens, cucumbers, kale, lettuce, mustard greens, parsley, spinach, sprouts, strawberries, turnip greens, watercress, watermelon and wheatgrass are some foods you should give your parrot. Make sure your parrot has enough vitamin A in his diet. Encourage him to eat dark leafy greens to keep him looking bright and decrease the odds of becoming ill.

    Offer Your Parrot Grains, Legumes, Nuts and Seeds

    • Your bird will also enjoy eating grains and nuts as well. Try whole grain bread, cereal and oatmeal along with barley, quinoa and wild rice. Beans, lentils and chickpeas are legumes you can feed your parrot. Almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans and walnuts are nuts that your parrot might enjoy.

      Sprouted seeds are another healthy alternative for your parrot. These seeds balance your bird's diet because they are high in vitamins and minerals. Some seeds and beans you can sprout are radish seeds, mung beans, lentils, sunflower seeds and wheat berries. Don't sprout soybeans, lima beans or kidney beans and don't sprout seeds intended for planting.

    Avoid Dangerous Foods

    • Some foods are harmful to your parrot if ingested. Don̵7;t feed your bird avocado, alcohol, apricot pits, caffeine, cherimoya fruit, chocolate, cocoa, guacamole, peaches, plums or prunes. In addition, your parrot does not need excess amounts of sugar, salt or fat. Avoid foods with additives or artificial colors that might be harmful. Don̵7;t feed your parrot any food that is moldy.