How to Get a Bird to Eat Vegetables

Fruit and vegetables are an important part of a pet bird's diet. Feeding vegetables gives your birds variety, increased fiber and vitamins that are hard to get elsewhere. Since vegetables are low in calories but bulky, they also help prevent obesity in birds that are prone to overeating. Most pet bird owners are aware that their bird should be offered vegetables, but getting the bird to actually consume them is another matter entirely.

Things You'll Need

  • Fresh produce
  • Bird-safe skewers
  • Cable ties
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Instructions

    • 1

      Research what kind of produce your bird's species tends to prefer, and try offering that first. For example, cockatiels will almost always eat leafy greens but show no interest in fruits. Broccoli is a favorite among budgies, and sun conures will love fruit of all kinds. If possible, find out what your bird eats in the wild and look for similar varieties of produce.

    • 2

      Change how you present the vegetables. Try offering larger chunks, whole vegetables, or making a kabob using a skewer designed for this purpose. Entire leaves of kale or turnip greens can be attached to the side of the cage with a cable tie.

    • 3

      Try offering fruit first. Unless your bird is a budgie or cockatiel, it will probably eat fruit more readily. Almost all pet birds enjoy grapes, apples, and berries. Once the bird has begun to eat fruit, it is easier to transition to a combination of fruit and vegetables.

    • 4

      Eat the same kinds of vegetables in front of your bird as you are serving him. Sometimes the most effective way to do this is to have a salad (without dressing) while your bird is out of the cage. Don't offer some to him; he's more likely to accept it if he "steals" some of your food.

    • 5

      Be persistent. It often takes weeks or months for a bird to accept a new food. If you continue to offer your bird a variety of vegetables, presented in interesting ways, he will eventually begin to eat and enjoy them.