FOOD TO FEED

GRAINS

Whole wheat, multigrain, carrot, nut fruit, or corn breads, noodles, spaghetti, ravioli, macaroni or other pastas, all types of rice, preferably brown, oatmeal, cream of wheat or cream of rice, cooked cereals, low or no salt pretzels, low salt crackers, including melba toast, other low sugar cereals such as Cheerios, Life, Chex, Kix, Berry Kix, etc.

DAIRY GROUP

Many parrots are not receiving enough calcium in their diets because owners do not give their birds any foods from this group. As with people, calcium is very important. Remember that too much cheese can cause constipation. Birds love their cheese mixed with other foods such as in macaroni and cheese and pizza.

Cottage cheese, yogurts with or without fruit (best with acidophilious), cheese (any type), eggs (any style with shells included, avoid frying, can make in the microwave).

With any dairy product remove from the cage after one or two hours at most. Dairy products spoil quickly.

NUTS

All kinds of nuts except for acorns and horse chestnuts are good for birds. They should be unsalted. Due to the high fat content use with moderation. Peanuts, almonds, walnuts, filberts, brazil nuts, pine nuts, pistachios nuts, etc. are all excellent. Peanut butter and other butters made from nuts are a great treat!

VEGETABLES

Vegetables contain vitamins and minerals which are essential to good health. They should be washed thoroughly to remove any chemicals on their skins. They can be served fresh, steamed, baked in a sauce such as tomato sauce or they can be boiled. Frozen vegetables should be warmed. You can serve them one at a time or you can mix several different types together. Some people even serve them with a sprinkle of garlic or onion powder, other herbs, or even some parmesan cheese. They are an excellent place to add powdered vitamins and minerals. (Canned vegetables are high in sodium and they should not be used.)

Red peppers, green peppers, yellow peppers, jalapeno peppers, and other types of peppers are okay, cucumbers, tomatoes or tomato sauce, green peas, pole beans, waxed beans, sugar snap peas, green beans, peas in pods, corn (on the cob or as kernels) acorn squash (cooked) butternut squash (cooked), pumpkin (cooked) squash all other varieties (cooked), dark green cabbage, cauliflower, kale, broccoli, brocciflower, spinach (fresh, frozen, or low salt canned), baby carrots (raw or cooked), carrots (raw or cooked), beets, sweet potatoes (cooked), potatoes all varieties (cooked), yams (cooked), celery, turnips, Brussels sprouts including the stalks, zucchini, chard, alfalfa sprouts, bean sprouts, kidney beans (cooked), pinto beans, navy beans (cooked), all other beans (cooked), and lettuce (in moderation since it contains a high water content).

May cause watery droppings or color changes in droppings.

FRUIT

Because of the high water content in fruit your bird's droppings may become more watery. If the bird receives a lot of fruit they may not be drinking as much. Avoid any pits in the fruit, and the area around the pits.

Fruit should be washed thoroughly and any bruising or discolorations should be cut away first before serving.

Pomegranates, figs, grapes (all kinds, if you can find the seeded varieties they are a special treat), mangos, all melons (seeds okay), papaya, kiwis, raisins, citrus fruit such as oranges, lemons, or limes, apples (all varieties, though birds may have a preference of one over the other, avoid the seeds), applesauce, blackberries, bananas, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, currants, cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, apricots (no pits, remove area around pit that is discolored), cherries (no pits), plums (no pits), pears (no seeds), peaches (avoid pits and discolored area around pit), kumquats, nectarines (no pits or area around pit).

MEAT GROUP

Protein needs to be given in moderation. Always serve cooked and not raw.

Steak (no pink showing), turkey, chicken, roast beef, or liver (cooked), tuna fish (water packed). Wing tips, thigh bones, and wing bones (depending on bird size) should be given cooked for the bird to crack open and eat the marrow. Avoid fatty meats.