Turning Your Parrots Diet Into An Healthy Process

Giving your parrot the wrong bird diet can result in the death of your feathered friend. Yes, this is a fact. Feeding your parrot the right bird diet, however, can help ensure health and longevity for your beloved bird. Only in the last few decades has research revealed which foods are deadly to parrots and which are the best choices for them.

The main benefit of making sure your parrots diet contains the right foods is longevity. Just as people can live longer when eating a healthy diet, so can your companion parrot. It was only come to light in recent decades that parrots can live long lives if properly fed a wide variety of foods.

Deadly Bird Diet Choices

While there are many good things to include in a parrot diet, there are a few items people consume which can actually kill your feathered friend. These foods, known as the "seven deadly foods", are avocado, chocolate, alcohol, seeds of any fruit, raw meat, uncooked eggs, and any food which may have mold or may be spoiled (including bird seed). There is some debate over other foods such as garlic, but most parrots will simply not eat a clove of garlic and the tiny amount used as seasoning in a human food that a parrot might eat is insufficient to cause any hard.

Limits These Foods in Your Parrots Diet

There are some foods which people eat that a parrot can safely consume a tiny bit of without any problem, but which should be limited in the parrot diet. In large quantities, these foods can harm your bird's health. You may note these are also foods that a human should not eat in large amounts for their own health, too.

Any food that is high in fat must be limited in the parrots diet. When living in the wild, parrots consume little fat. Think of your pet bird diet as you would consider feeding a little child of three or four years. Sure, you might allow a young child one cookie or a few chips, but you would limit the quantity. The same goes for your parrots diet. One or two bites of these foods is okay once in a while but do not allow it to become a habit. Foods in this group include: fried foods, any foods with added butter, ice cream, and cake or cookies. Use moderation as your guide.

It is also important to limit the amount of salty foods in your parrot's diet. A very small amount of salt goes a long way when consumed by a parrot with such a small body. When you are cooking food for the family that you plan to salt, remove some of the veggies before you add seasoning. Many common foods can be found in unsalted versions which are better for people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure and are also better for your parrot's diet. Foods in this category include salted potato chips, corn chips, nuts, vegetables with added salt, many prepared foods such as microwave entrees, bacon, ham, and other cured meats, and salted popcorn.

Sugary foods are poor choices for a bird diet. Just like children, birds can learn to crave sweets if allowed. It is safe to permit a parrot to taste a bite or perhaps two of sugary foods, it is crucial to restrict quantities. Sugary foods include: sweetened soft drinks, some cereals, candy, sweetened fruit juice, ice cream, and cookies.

Good Choices for your Bird Diet

Many foods do not have to be restricted in your bird diet at all. In fact, everything that is not listed as diet choices to limit are good choices for your bird diet. The more different foods a parrot eats the healthier and happier it will be. The longer the companion parrot will live in most cases as well.

Vegetables and fruits not listed in the deadly foods list are great for bird diet choices. You can serve them cooked or raw, depending on which your parrot prefers. Most parrots also like bits of cheese, pasta, cooked eggs, rice, mashed or boiled potatoes, bits of fish or meat, noodles, and most even enjoy a bone from meat or poultry to chew and eat the marrow.

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About the author: Mississippi 'Bird Lady' finally reveals her proven bird diet, biting and feather plucking secrets to easily get a happy, sociable and healthy parrot in your home.