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| Parrot
Food |
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%.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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NOTE
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. |
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