The remaining 30-50% of a parrot’s diet should be composed of fresh foods, including these:
Raw or steamed vegetables (preferably organic, when available)
Cooked whole grains and/or pseudo-grains, such as rice (brown, wild or forbidden), oats, barley, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth and teff
Soaked and cooked or sprouted legumes
Raw, soaked or sprouted nuts and seeds
Limited amounts of raw fruit
Fruits, seeds and nuts should comprise no more than 10-20% of their diet combined. Many people envision parrots in the wild eating a diet of nothing but fruits and nuts, but researchers are discovering that, for most parrot species, that is somewhat of a misconception. In addition, wild birds expend a lot more energy than captive birds, so they need the extra sugars and fats found in nuts and fruits. Plus, the fruits that they eat in the wild contain much less sugar and much more fiber than the fruits cultivated for human consumption. Offer fruits, seeds and nuts only as a treat, and focus mostly on fresh berries and raw, unsalted nuts. Avoid giving peanuts, as these can be dangerous. Other nuts, such as almonds, pecans and walnuts, can be used. Always check the food for mold or rot before giving it to a parrot.
M Mobeen
Delete Comment
Are you sure that you want to delete this comment ?