If you’re considering adopting a pet bird, you might wonder what the best food is to keep your bird healthy and happy.
While bird seeds may seem to be the obvious choice, it’s not the best option for most birds. Veterinarians say that such seeds are too high in fat and can lead to health problems for your pet bird. Pellets are better, specifically formulated to meet a bird’s nutritional needs.
And in the following sections, we will tell you about similar options that should be included in your pet bird’s diet.
What Should You Feed Pet Birds?
There are various factors to consider when choosing healthy foods for your pet bird. Some important considerations include bird species, age, and health conditions. It is also essential to consult with your avian veterinarian to get specific recommendations for your feathered friend.
Generally, the best diet for pet birds comprises a variety of high-quality pellets or seeds, fresh fruits and vegetables. Many birds also enjoy occasional treats like millet sprays or nutrition-filled berries.
Simply put, it is important to offer your bird a variety of foods to ensure proper nutrition and prevent boredom. Let us now tell you extensively about all the viable food options for your bird’s diet.
1. Nuts And Seed Mix
Nuts are considered to be very healthy and are an essential part of bird nutrition. They are the ideal tasty treats that most birds will enjoy for sure.
Besides, they usually take their time to break open the shells of the nuts with their beaks, which makes for an engaging activity. But you can help them with a nutcracker if they struggle too much.
You can even feed sunflower, safflower, millet and flax seeds. But remember that you should always serve seeds and nuts as occasional treats, not as part of their daily diet.
However, if you like feeding wild birds in your backyard, giving them, fruits and vegetables may not always be possible. And bird seeds can be a good alternative in this case.
2. Vegetables
Fresh, leafy vegetables like broccoli, Romaine lettuce, zucchini, parsley, squash, snow peas, shredded carrots, and cucumbers are essential to ensure a nutritious diet for your pet bird. You can cut the veggies into small pieces before putting them into the bird feeder so that the bird finds it easier to consume.
But ensure avoiding garlic, avocado or onion, as these are not suited for feeding birds.
You may also be surprised to know that while humans may find it challenging to snack on spicy peppers, birds seem to love them! This is because their taste receptors do not pick up the stinging spiciness of the pepper. Hence, you can feed your pet birds jalapeno pepper and fresh chilli frequently to watch them happily munch on the pieces.
3. Pelleted Foods
Bird pet parents will know that their little ones can become picky eaters, and that is where pellets come into the picture. Pellets are made to provide all the nutrition that the bird will need to have a balanced diet without compromising on tastes.
Each bite of these pellets is packed with nutrients so that you can provide them with the benefits of a varied diet with just pellet foods.
Moreover, pallets come with different ingredients and multiple sizes and colours so you can choose the ones according to your bird’s needs.
4. Fibre And Fruits
Most birds will enjoy fresh fruits from time to time. However, while these are nutritious options for a pet bird’s diet, be careful not to prepare fruit-heavy diets. Fruits should only form a small portion of the diet.
Papaya, melons, bananas, oranges, kiwis, and apples are suitable for your feathered friends. But don’t forget to take the seeds beforehand. And like you’d do for vegetables, cut the fruits into small pieces before adding them to the bird’s bowl.
5. Beans
Beans are the perfect option for adding fibre to your bird’s diet, as they can keep its digestive optimally functional while providing ample nutrition. You can try boiling a bean soup mix without any additional seasoning. Then let the beans cool and add a small amount to their bowl.
6. Popcorn
Why let your birds only watch when you can share popcorn while watching a favourite show? Yes, you read that right! Many pet birds love popcorn; you can give them unpopped kernels or popped corn.
If you are serving the kernels unpopped, then boil them in water, so the outer hulls become soft. This will make it easier for the birds to eat them.
7. Sprouts
You are not the only one who likes alfalfa sprouts with their food- your bird friends may enjoy them too! Sprouts are known for adding to a nutritional diet, and feeding pet birds with this nutritious option is a relatively simple task. All you have to do is wash them thoroughly and add them to the bird bowl.
But you should ensure that the sprouts are free from pesticides, as they will invariably harm the birds. That’s why many people believe in growing their sprouts with organic methods.
8. Grain And Cereals
There is a chance that you have heard about herds of birds descending on crops to eat them. These are essential fields of grains, and birds love snacking on them. Plus, grains are good for their immune system and have nutritional value. They are also good sources of carbohydrates and protein, so that you can let your pet birds snack on quinoa, oats and grains.
9. Pasta
Birds love having pasta, as it is an energy-enhancing carbohydrate. You can boil bowtie pasta with vegetables and legumes and serve it to your pet birds once the meal cools down sufficiently. Also, some birds prefer crunchy pasta, so that you can give them raw noodles and macaroni.
Tips To Remember
When it comes to giving your birds their food, always be cautious. Avoid offering anything that may be toxic or has not been properly cooked. If you are unsure about a food, consult your avian veterinarian before including it in their diet.
Another thing to remember is that if the birds have not been eating their fruits and vegetables for over four hours, then take out the leftovers and replace them with fresh food again. Serve a little less food but keep it nutritionally balanced so that they can live a long and healthy life.
How Often Should You Feed Your Pet Bird?
It is best to keep the feeder three-quarters full of fresh foods. Birds enjoy pecking at food throughout the day, so they should have access to good food at all times. Also, you can feed small amounts of legumes and grains with other foods every once in seven days.
Aside from that, avoid overfeeding a lot of pasta, brown rice, cooked barley, cooked beans, cooked oats, grains and legumes. Although they can offer good nutrition, they should only be provided in small amounts.
Also, keep giving your bird fresh water by changing the water every day. If you notice that they are not drinking the water, then clean the container and fill it again. In case the issue continues, you can consult a doctor.
Choosing The Best Pet Bird Food
While many bird owners may serve nuts with fresh vegetables, they ensure the nuts are unsalted and clean. Fungi can grow on uncleaned nuts, which is not good for the birds. You can also store unsalted nuts in the fridge and keep them frozen for a long time.
And if you have a sick bird, always consult a doctor for specially formulated diets. Try to prevent a seed-only diet and give them all kinds of food mentioned above. And if your pet bird is specifically not eating a certain type of food, replace that with something as nutritious.
On that note, it’s time for us to wrap up our guide for today. See you next time!
