The proper psittacine (parrot) diet has yet to be determined for every species. The following is a
compilation of the data from numerous resources and research projects with various species. Dietary
recommendations from the American Association of Avian Veterinarians are as follows:
The avian diet can be divided into 4 basic groups. The percentage of the daily diet recommendations is
listed next to the category.
Grains 60%
Whole grain breads, crackers and cereals, brown rice (cooked), pastas (cooked or raw), beans
(cooked). I recommend buying the 15 bean soup mix and cooking them without the seasoning packet, or
buying one of the commercial soak and cook mixes rather than using canned beans.
Protein 25%
Chicken (thoroughly cooked with the bone - a thigh is best), tuna, well cooked beef or pork, low fat dairy
products such as tofu cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, tofu, and soybeans.
Vegetables 10%
High vitamin A vegetables. They include:
Squash, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, broccoli and green beans (these vegetables are eaten better
when steamed and served warm). Raw vegetables that can be chopped and mixed with the grain
mixtures include: peppers (any kind), spinach, kale, endive, parsley, cilantro, chard, collard greens,
dandelion greens, and beet greens.
Fruit 5%
High vitamin A fruits. They include:
Papaya, mango, apricots, peaches, cantaloupe, and pomegranates. (Apples, grapes and oranges are
mostly sugar).
These food groups can be further broken down in their nutritional components:
PROTEINS: Amino acids are building blocks of proteins. When ingested, proteins are broken down into
amino acids, which will be used to form new proteins. These will ultimately be used to make up tissues
like skin, muscle, feathers, and keratin. Protein deficiency results in muscle wasting, anemia, weakness,
beak and feather abnormalities and other structural problems. Protein waste products are eliminated by
the kidney in the form of uric acid; the white portion in bird droppings.
CARBOHYDRATES: Simple and complex sugars make up the carbohydrates found in fruits, vegetables
and seeds. Carbohydrates are used by the bird for energy and heat production. Deficiency results in
the bird utilizing other forms of energy; mainly fat and protein, which can lead to muscle wasting.
Carbohydrate excess may result in obesity as the sugars are converted into fat. Carbohydrates are
eliminated from the body in the form of carbon dioxide, water and heat.
FAT: Fats are energy-dense molecules made up of smaller fatty acids. Fat is the most lightweight form
of energy storage but too much will weigh a bird down. Psittacines’ are frugivorous or granivorous (fruit
or grain eating). Nature precludes these birds from coming across many fatty foods. Consequently, birds
“see” fat as an excellent source of energy and metabolize it very efficiently. Fat deficiency in captive
birds is usually only associated with disease states. Unfortunately, fat excess is rather common and will
lead to obesity and can ultimately predispose a bird to fatty liver disease. Fat is eliminated by
metabolism, resulting in heat and energy production.
MINERALS AND VITAMINS: Minerals are required for structural components such as bone and egg
shell. Both minerals and vitamins are necessary for proper metabolism. Vitamins are divided into two
groups: fat soluble and water soluble. Most vitamins can be synthesized by the bird, but some need to
be supplemented in captivity such as vitamins A, D and E. Vitamin deficiencies and excesses will be
discussed later.
PELLETED DIETS: There are many brands of commercially produced avian pelleted diets. Some diets
are designed to be a 50% diet (e.g., Scenic or Zeiglers). These should be fed as 50% of the diet and
the other 50% should include fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. No other protein source is
necessary. These diets are excellent provided the other 50% of the diet is nutritious.
Diets such as LaFeber’s Nutri-An or Harrison’s Bird Diet (HBD) are designed to be fed as the sole diet.
For the birds that are resistant to eating a varied diet including fruits and vegetables, these diets may be
fed instead of seed. They are believed to be nutritionally balanced and complete requiring no
supplementation. Dog food, monkey chow or rodent chow have also been used as pelleted feeds, but in
light of the variety of avian pellets now on the market, these may be viewed as a “treat” rather than a
dietary staple. Click Here for List of Recommended Pelleted Diets
SEED: Seed mixes vary depending on the species or size of the bird that they are intended for. Most
include various combinations of safflower, peanuts, corn, millet, wheat, canary seed, rape, flax, poppy,
sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. Some mixes add vitamins and calcium block pieces, while others
contain dried fruits and vegetables. There are problems with a seed diet. This is not because they are a
poor source of energy, but because they are an unbalanced source of nutrition. Click Here for
Supplemental Seed Mix Recommendations
Seed has up to 58% fat, it is low in calcium, as well as sodium, copper, zinc, magnesium, selenium, high
(or low) in iodine, little or no Vitamin A, no vitamin D, low in vitamin K, riboflavin, niacin, B12 and
pantothenic acid. There is an incorrect mineral balance for a bird’s needs and a high fat to protein ratio.
Seeds also have a reverse calcium/phosphorus ratio which leads to decreased calcium absorption
(especially critical in high-need birds such as African Greys).
VITAMINS/MINERALS/CALCIUM: Vitamins are best added to or sprinkled onto soft foods. A good multi-
vitamin supplement is essential for birds eating a high seed diet. A varied diet including the fruits and
vegetables and grains mentioned above usually does not require supplementation. Minerals can also be
sprinkled on soft foods. Dark green leafy vegetables are high in minerals and calcium. Hypocalcemia (a
deficiency in calcium) is common in birds on all seed diets and persistent egg laying hens. Bone meal,
crushed oyster shell, dried milk powder, cuttle bones and mineral blocks are the easiest ways to
supplement calcium. Click Here for Sources of Vitamin Supplements
GRIT OR GRAVEL: Most current research has concluded that larger psittacine birds do not require grit
at all. Their ventriculus or gizzard is very muscular and able to grind hulled seeds easily. Budgies and
cockatiels should be offered a small amount of grit 2-3 times per year.
NUTRITIONAL DISEASES
OBESITY: Birds have an inherent ability to fulfill their nutritional needs. Certain essential amino acids,
vitamins, minerals, protein and energy amounts must be met each day. Because of the nutritional
imbalances in seed, a bird eats more to satisfy its needs. Due to the high fat concentration and birds’
excellent ability to metabolize and absorb fats, this can easily lead to obesity.
Predisposing factors to obesity:
1. Breed – cockatiels, budgies, cockatoos, amazons, canaries.
2. Older birds and females in early breeding season.
3. Decreased exercise, wing clipping, small cages, low social stimulation.
4. Metabolic disease (pancreas and thyroid), and diabetes.
5. Depoprovera injections.
HYPOVITAMINOSIS A: Usually this disease is associated with high seed diets. I see it often in birds that
are offered a good variety of foods. Psitticines have a high vitamin A requirement. A deficiency leads to
disfunction of the gastrointestinal and mucosal epithelium. This is most commonly manifested in upper
respiratory infection, oral abscesses, and sinusitis due to a disease process known as “Squamous
Metaplasia”.
HYPOCALCEMIA: Low blood calcium may result in weakness, seizure-like activity and muscle spasms
(most common in African Greys). It, combined with obesity, is the main cause of egg binding as well.
METABOLIC BONE DISEASE: This can be caused by an improper calcium:phosphorus ratio (as found
in seed) as well as a diet low in calcium. Calcium is pulled from the bones to meet metabolic calcium
needs.
HYPERVITAMINOSIS D: This disease can result from a diet excess of vitamin D or from ingestion of rat
poison containing Cholecalciferol. Excess vitamin D causes mineral deposition in the muscle and soft
tissue. It is most common in hand fed baby birds which are given overdoses of vitamins in the formula.
LYSINE DEFICIENCY: Low lysine levels (an amino acid) has been shown to cause poor feather color
and may result in yellow plumage. It is sometimes seen in birds fed mainly corn.
VITAMIN K RESPONSIVE DISORDER: This disease causes bleeding in birds that receive minimal
amounts of dietary vitamin K. Most species can manufacture adequate amounts in their intestines.
Conures seem to be affected most often and manifest signs of bleeding disorders, such as small
hemorrhages in the beak, hemorrhages on the bottom of the feet and epistaxis (bloody discharge from
the nostrils).
VITAMIN E AND SELENIUM RESPONSIVE DISORDER: Known as “White Muscle Disease” in other
animals, Vitamin E and Selenium deficiency is most often seen in cockatiels. The disease causes
paralysis of the legs which may be permanent.
IRON STORAGE DISEASE: Though not common in psittacines, this condition causes severe liver
disease in passerine birds like mynahs, toucans, and birds of paradise. It is prevented by feeding a diet
with virtually no iron. Many dog foods are good for this purpose (such as Hills C/D diet).
STRESS BARS: Stress bars manifest as waves, bends, breaks and color lines in the feather vane. In
nutritionally ill baby birds, every feather may have stress bars present. Stress bars may be produced
from non-nutritional causes as well. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections can produce stress bars as will
cold brooder temperatures, trauma and individual feather damage. Fortunately, these damaged
feathers will moult and be replaced by normal healthy plumage provided the stress has been removed.
FOOD PREFERENCES: This varies dramatically when we bring a bird into a captive situation. Studies
have shown that wild foods include flowers, buds, leaves, fruits, cambium, insects and regional seeds.
Some psitticines consume parts of more than 80 species of grasses, shrubs and trees.
Birds have a tactile bill-tip organ, which helps them select and manipulate size, shape, texture, etc.
Because of this organ and the habitual nature of birds, introducing new foods can be difficult. Seeds are
very palatable due to their high fat content and they are familiar to the bird.
Studies have shown that when a pelleted diet is fed with fruit, vegetables and seed: seed consumption
still prevails. This leads to inadequate and unbalanced nutrition. A study of reproductive success in 8
psittacine species conducted in Michigan showed an increase in fleging percentage from 62% to 83%
when fed a pelleted diet + fruits + vegetables rather than seed + fruit + vegetables.
CONVERTING A BIRD TO A DIFFERENT DIET:
1. Most birds in the wild would primarily feed twice daily (dawn and dusk). Return to this schedule. It
increases owner/bird bonding, gives the bird a schedule/pattern, increases hunger and desire for food
so the bird may accept new foods more readily. It also allows the food bowls to be washed completely
twice daily to decrease bacterial growth.
2. Feed the bird when you are eating. Most birds will want to eat if they see their owner eating.
PELLETED DIET CONVERSION:
1. Combine the seeds with pellets. Over a 2 week to 1 month period increase the amount of pellets and
decrease the amount of seed.
2. “Cold Turkey” – If a diet change to pellets is made suddenly and completely, the bird should be
monitored very closely for eating and weight loss. Many birds will not eat for 2-3 days. They should not
go for more than 2 days without eating or lose more than 10% of their body weight. If this occurs, the
normal diet should be returned. Trying a variety of pellets may help the conversion.
3. Seed-pellet cakes (commercially available) offer a transition food. When the new diet is accepted,
replace the seed with pellets and wean off the seed-pellet cakes.
4. When offering new vegetables, experiment with temperature and texture. Some birds prefer their
vegetables steamed until soft and served warm. Smaller species enjoy theirs grated. Try “Bird Pizza” or
“Bird Bread”.
DIETARY DONT’S:
CHOCOLATE, COFFEE, AVOCADO, LETTUCE, SUGAR, FATTY FOODS.
1. Remember that variety is the spice of life – especially in food.
2. Feed fruits and vegetables that are in season. They generally have the highest nutritional value at
their natural time of year.
3. Monitor what actually gets into your bird and experiment with textures to see what your bird prefers.
4. Wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
5. Do not let soft foods sit more than 4-6 hours in the bowl.
