Proper Diet

When feeding pet birds, we must realize that the species of birds we have as companion pets do not all have the same dietary needs. Most psittacines (members of the parrot family) are florivores, meaning the main portion of their diet is obtained from plants. Among florivores, there are granivores (birds that eat grain and seed), and frugivores (birds with diets based on fruits). Some pet birds are omnivores, whose diet can consist of both plant and animal components. There is a special class of florivores called nectarivores, who eat mostly nectar.

Classification Species Normal Diet
Florivore Blue and gold Macaw, Red-faced parrot Seeds, fruits, nuts, bark, roots, berries
Granivore Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Hyacinth Macaw Grains, seeds
Frugivore Blue-throated Macaw; Green-winged Macaw Mostly fruit and flowers; some nuts and seeds
Omnivore Sulpher-crested cockatoo, Red-tailed Amazon Seeds, fruits, insects, invertebrates
Nectarivore Lorikeet, lory Nectar, pollen; some insects and seeds

Fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates. Vegetables should comprise 15-30% of the diet, and fruits 5%.

Pelleted Diets
The food is a blend of grains, seeds, vegetables, fruits, and various types of proteins, as well as additional vitamins and minerals. The ingredients are mixed and then baked. This formulated diet may be in the form of pellets, crumbles, or nuggets. Unlike a seed mixture, the bird cannot select particular components out of a formulated diet, so nutritional imbalances are much less likely to occur. There are commercial foods for different species, so be sure to select one appropriate for your bird.

For most species, pelleted food should be 65-80% of the diet, vegetables should make up 15-30%, and the remainder can be seeds and fruits.

Proper Care
Wash all vegetables and fruits thoroughly before feeding. Remove the pits and apple seeds from the fruit. Any vegetables and fruits left uneaten should be discarded daily so spoiling is not a problem. Because vegetables and fruits are high in water content, the urine portion of the droppings will increase.

Foods to Avoid
Some foods are on the do-not-feed list.
· High-fat junk food (potato chips, doughnuts, etc.)
· Avocado (guacamole)
· Chocolate
· Alcohol
· Caffeine
· Fruit pits
· Onions
· Apple seeds
· Mushrooms

Cleaning Parrot Dishes
Food and water dishes should be washed in hot, soapy water, and dried thoroughly. Do not clean the dishes in areas where food is prepared. To provide more cleaning power, some people wash them in the dishwasher or use a disinfectant. Be sure no trace of soap or disinfectant remains on the dishes. The food dishes need to be absolutely dry before adding food, since damp seed or pellets can quickly mold. To avoid waste, fill the dishes with only the amount the bird will eat until the dishes are cleaned again.

Tips

Selecting the proper disinfectant for bird cages must be done carefully. The disinfectant must be strong enough to kill disease-causing viruses, bacteria, and fungi, yet not cause harm to the bird. Birds are extremely sensitive to toxic fumes, so care must be taken to move the bird to another room while using most disinfectants.

Although there are many disinfectants on the market, the best, most readily available disinfectant for cleaning a cage is household bleach. After washing the cage and accessories, use bleach at a dilution of approximately 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water, and apply to the cage and accessories. Allow the disinfectant to have contact with the material for 5-10 minutes. Rinse the items thoroughly with clean water, especially any wooden items. For your safety and comfort, use the bleach solution in an area that is adequately ventilated. Rubber gloves and safety goggles are also recommended.