Military Macaw Diet

A balanced diet is important for the health of all varieties of the macaw family of parrots, including the Military macaw. Military macaws can have a lifespan of 35 to 55 years, when provided with the proper diet and lots of loving care. A diet including premium commercial feed, and plenty of choices that come from nature can help to assure that your macaw will live a long and happy life.

  1. Seed And Pellet Diets

    • There are many premium seed-based mixes designed with large parrots like your Military macaw in mind. These mixes offer a variety of seeds and nuts, dried fruits, dried vegetables and often some pellets, or extruded food. This type of mix can give your macaw a suitable base for nutrition, which should be supplemented by offering various fresh foods on a daily basis. Look for popular parrot seed mixes like Kaytee, Hagen and Pretty Bird online, or at most bird specialty and pet stores. The Military macaw may eat 1/2 to 3/4 cup of parrot mix each day.

      Formulated pellet or extruded diets for large parrots provide an excellent nutritional base for your Military macaw, without the need for supplementation. Your parrot may have trouble adjusting to this type of diet, however, if it is new to it. Close monitoring may be necessary to determine if the bird is eating the pellets. Some popular brands like Harrison's and Pretty Bird may be found online, and at many bird specialty and pet stores. In order to keep it from becoming bored with the diet, fresh foods should be offered, as well.

    Fresh Foods

    • Fruits like apples (no seeds,) oranges, bananas and pitted cherries may be offered to your macaw. It may also enjoy mangos, papayas, peaches and pears. Pineapple, strawberries and blueberries are also macaw favorites.

      Vegetables of many kinds should be offered to your Military macaw. It may love broccoli, corn, peas and green beans. Peppers of all kinds may be enjoyed, along with various squash, sweet potatoes and greens. You may find the bird prefers carrots, cabbage or Brussels sprouts.

    Other Favorite Foods

    • Your Military macaw should be offered whole grain breads, whole grain cereals and plain cooked pasta. Cooked dried beans add protein to any parrot's diet. It may also enjoy brown or wild rice as a regular part of its repertoire. The Military macaw, like other macaws, requires a lot of fat and oil in its diet. Nuts are one of the best ways to fulfill these needs: Brazils, walnuts, pecans, almonds and macadamias are excellent choices. You can sometimes offer small amounts of cooked meat to your macaw; chicken is a common choice.