What Kind of Fruit Can I Feed a Parakeet?

Parakeets are small hook-billed members of the parrot family. All hook-billed parrots need fruits in their diet to maintain optimal health. Fruit gives the bird vitamins C and A and potassium. Pet parakeets need regular feedings of fresh fruit to resemble the diet it would eat in the wild.

  1. Sweet

    • Sweet fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, grapes, melons, and berries may all be fed to parakeets. They must be thoroughly washed and chopped into pieces small enough for the bird to hold in its foot. Remove the skin of conventionally grown produce to eliminate pesticide residue. Organic produce is always preferred because even small amounts of pesticide residue can add up and create a potential health risk for the small bird.

    Non-sweet

    • Pea pods, squash, beans, peppers, and corn, all technically fruits, are a nutritional addition to any parakeet's diet. Avoid overly watery vegetable-like fruit such as tomatoes and cucumbers. They can potentially cause excess liquid in the parakeet's droppings.

    Dried

    • Dried non-sweet fruit may be added to the bird's diet liberally along with all other appropriate vegetables. However, dried sweet fruit should be limited to one or two small pieces a day due to its high sugar concentration. Use dried sweet fruit for treats and not as part of the bird's regular diet.

    Variety

    • Rotate several fruits, vegetables, greens, and sprouts so the parakeet gets a broad range of nutrients. A seed-only diet will not give the bird the it needs and could shorten its lifespan dramatically. Fifty percent of a parakeet's diet should be comprised of seeds or pellets. The remaining half should consist of fresh produce. Sweet fruit should make up no more than 20 percent of the bird's diet.

    Safety

    • Serve the fruit in a dish other than the bird's seed dish. Remove any produce at the end of each day to avoid the risk of the bird eating harmful bacteria. Wash all of the food dishes in hot soapy water between feedings.