Parrot Food & Toys

Parrots are one of the most intelligent creatures on the planet, and as such require a good deal more stimulation and entertainment than the average pet. In the wild, most species of parrot are highly sociable and travel over wide ranges to forage, play and nest. In captivity, pet parrot owners must be careful to provide adequate nutrition and activity to help avoid health and behavioral problems down the road.

  1. Staple Diet

    • A parrot’s diet should consist primarily of a good quality seed mix or commercial pelleted formula. Pellet-based diets generally provide much more balanced nutrition, as seeds tend to be higher in fat and lacking the same vitamin and mineral constitution. In addition to this base diet, parrots should be offered a wide variety of vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, peppers, carrots and squashes. Darker vegetables are considered healthier than items such as lettuce or celery.

    Fun Food

    • Treats and other fun foods also form a vital part of a parrot’s diet, and should be fed sparingly a few times per week. Hand-held items are particularly fun for parrots, such as cereals, pasta, nuts and bird treats. These items not only taste good, but provide your parrot with entertainment while he eats.

    Destructibles

    • Parrots are naturally somewhat destructive, and chew to help keep their powerful beaks honed and sharp. Because of this, it is very important to provide your parrot with items she is allowed to chew and destroy—otherwise, she will undoubtedly find less suitable items around the house to demolish. Chewable items include treats and snacks as well as toys. Toilet paper tubes, unused popsicle sticks and untreated twine or leather are all excellent at keeping beaks busy.

    Challenges and Puzzles

    • Because parrots are so intelligent, toys can be a way to challenge their minds and keep them occupied. Puzzle toys are widely available on the pet market, and generally offer the bird with some sort of treat-based reward for turning a lever, flipping a switch or spinning a wheel. Other challenge toys may perform some action, such as making a sound or spinning a top when the proper action is performed, and the most expensive of these are very simple miniature computers that reward the bird with a video or for pushing buttons or pulling levers.

    Comfort Items

    • Comfort toys are also very important to parrots, especially more socially dependent birds such as cockatoos. These might include small tents and hammocks, or snuggly pieces of fabric that your parrot can snuggle into when he feels lonely. Certain parrots can become very possessive of their comfort items, and signs of aggression should be watched for.