Are Almonds Toxic to Birds?

If you've taken a thorough look at some of the prepared parrot diets, you've seen that many of them contain nuts alongside the pellets, biscuits and seeds. Nuts are actually part of a bird's diet in the wild, so you should feel safe offering Paco a few of them along with his regular food. If you ask Paco, almonds are probably at the top of his list of favorite nuts to eat.

  1. Not Just Safe

    • Almonds are not toxic to birds; in fact they are actually a valuable source of nutrients birds need like fiber, calcium and iron. In fact, almonds are so beneficial to birds' health,that Exotic Pet Vet recommends almonds as a high-calcium food for parrots who have problems with feather-picking or seizures.

    Appropriate Amounts

    • Almonds contain beneficial nutrients including fat -- so too many can be detrimental to your parrot. Just how many almonds is appropriate to feed your bird depends on what kind of parrot he is. For instance, a macaw need a high amount of dietary fat; in the wild the macaw naturally eats varying amounts of nuts daily. Smaller birds whose dietary needs are different, though, should have nuts a few times a week. Talk to your avian vet to determine what is an appropriate amount of almonds for Paco. You should always consult an experienced veterinarian regarding the health and nutrition of your bird.

    Raw, Untreated Only

    • When you buy almonds for Paco, get only the kind that are raw and unsalted. He might enjoy almonds flavored with smoky or salty additives, but he doesn't need those extras -- and they could cause health problems for him. Read labels at the market to ensure you aren't getting him nuts that have been treated with pesticides or other chemicals. The almonds aren't toxic to your bird, but the chemicals can be.

    Almonds in the Shell

    • Your bird will appreciate the addition of almonds to his diet, but he'll like it all the more if you give them to him in the shell. Parrots have the natural instinct to forage. They enjoy the mental stimulation they get from having to figure out how to get to the treat inside the nutshell and then working to get the job done. Rita Groszman offers additional ways to stimulate and entertain Paco: hide his almonds in the shell in the bottom of his dish under other food, or wrap them in a piece of paper and secure the ends by twisting them.