What do parrots eat? A healthy parrot diet includes a balanced combination of quality pellets, fresh vegetables, some fruits, and other nutritious foods. While parrots may enjoy seeds and nuts, these should usually make up only part of their diet rather than the entire meal. What a parrot should eat can also vary depending on its species, size, age, and individual needs.
Providing the right foods is an important part of keeping a parrot healthy and active. In this guide, we’ll look at the best foods for parrots, foods they should avoid, how often to feed them, and simple ways to provide a varied and nutritious diet.
What Should a Parrot’s Diet Include?
For many companion parrots, quality pellets can provide the foundation of the diet, supplemented with fresh vegetables and smaller amounts of fruit, seeds, and nuts. These foods provide different nutrients while adding variety to mealtime.
Pellets as Part of a Healthy Parrot Diet
Quality pellets are commonly used as an important part of a balanced diet for many companion parrots. Unlike seed-only diets, formulated pellets are designed to provide a more consistent combination of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.
Pellets should be chosen according to your parrot’s species and size. Avoid assuming that every pellet is appropriate for every bird, and follow the manufacturer’s feeding recommendations.
If your parrot currently eats mostly seeds, changing to pellets should usually be done gradually. Some parrots need time to recognize a new food as something they can eat. Never allow a bird to go without adequate food while trying to make a dietary change.
Fresh Vegetables for Parrots
Fresh vegetables can add important nutrients, variety, colors, and textures to a parrot’s diet. Many parrots enjoy trying different vegetables, although it may take several attempts before a bird accepts an unfamiliar food.
Bird-safe vegetables can include:
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Bell peppers
- Sweet potatoes
- Squash
- Green beans
- Peas
- Kale and other leafy greens
Wash fresh produce thoroughly before serving it, and remove uneaten fresh food before it has a chance to spoil. Vegetables can be offered raw or cooked when appropriate, but avoid adding salt, butter, sauces, or seasonings.
Offering several different vegetables over time can also provide enrichment as your parrot explores new tastes and textures.
Can Parrots Eat Fruit?
Yes, many parrots can enjoy fruit as part of a varied diet. Fruit provides vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients, but because many fruits contain natural sugars, they are generally best offered in moderation rather than making up most of a parrot’s diet.
Parrot-friendly fruits can include:
- Apples — remove the seeds
- Bananas
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Mango
- Papaya
- Pineapple
- Melons
- Grapes
- Oranges
Always wash fruit thoroughly and remove pits or seeds that may be unsafe. Fresh fruit should also be removed from the cage before it spoils.
Different parrots have different preferences, so don’t be surprised if your bird eagerly eats one fruit and completely ignores another.
Seeds and Nuts: Healthy but Best in Moderation
Seeds and nuts can be nutritious foods for parrots, but they are often high in fat. A diet made mostly of seeds may not provide the balanced nutrition many companion parrots need.
Seeds and nuts can instead be offered in smaller amounts as part of a varied diet or used as special treats during training.
Some options include:
- Sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Almonds
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
Choose plain, unsalted varieties without added seasonings, sugar, or coatings. Portions should be appropriate for the size and species of your parrot.
Foods Parrots Should Never Eat
Some foods that people eat can be dangerous or toxic to parrots. Keep these foods away from your bird and make sure everyone in the household knows not to offer them.
Foods to avoid include:
- Avocado
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
- Caffeine, including coffee and energy drinks
- Onions and garlic
- Foods high in salt, sugar, or fat
- Fruit pits and certain fruit seeds, including apple seeds
Never assume that a food is safe simply because people can eat it. If you’re uncertain about a particular food, check with an avian veterinarian before giving it to your parrot.
If you believe your parrot has eaten something potentially toxic, contact an avian veterinarian or animal poison-control service promptly rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.
How Often Should You Feed a Parrot?
Parrots should have regular access to an appropriate amount of nutritious food and fresh, clean water every day. Feeding routines can vary depending on the bird’s species, size, age, activity level, and health.
Many owners provide the main portion of their parrot’s food in the morning and offer fresh vegetables or other appropriate foods during the day. Fresh foods should not be left sitting in the cage long enough to spoil.
Watch your parrot’s eating habits as well. A sudden decrease in appetite or noticeable change in eating behavior can be important and should not be ignored.
Does Every Parrot Eat the Same Diet?
No. Although many parrots can eat similar healthy foods, nutritional needs can vary between species. A small budgie does not necessarily need the same portions or diet as a large macaw, and some species have particular dietary considerations.
For example, Amazon parrots can be prone to gaining excess weight if given too many high-fat foods, while Eclectus parrots are often discussed separately because of their distinctive digestive system and dietary needs.
A parrot’s age, activity level, weight, and health can also affect what and how much it should eat. This is why general feeding advice should be used as a starting point rather than a substitute for advice tailored to an individual bird.
If you’re uncertain about the best diet for your parrot, an avian veterinarian can help you develop an appropriate feeding plan.
Fresh Water and Clean Feeding Dishes
Parrots should have access to fresh, clean drinking water every day. Change the water whenever it becomes dirty.
Food and water dishes should be washed regularly to prevent the buildup of old food and bacteria. Fresh fruits and vegetables should also be removed before they spoil, especially in warm conditions.
Keeping the feeding area clean helps make your parrot’s daily routine healthier and more pleasant.
A Healthy Diet Makes a Difference
So, what do parrots eat? For many companion parrots, a healthy diet includes quality pellets, fresh vegetables, moderate amounts of fruit, and carefully portioned seeds and nuts.
Because nutritional needs vary by species, age, activity level, and health, learn the specific needs of your bird. When in doubt, consult an avian veterinarian for feeding advice tailored to your bird.