My Parrots Love Eating Any Kind of Fruit or Juice, Nuts or Seeds, but Aren’t Interested in Any Other Kind of Food

Last Updated on October 11, 2024 by Catherine Tobsing

My parrots love eating any kind of fruit or juice, nuts or seeds, but aren’t interested in any other kind of food I think is good for them. How can I change this?

My answer:

Shelly

The problem is that’s not a balanced diet as they’re not getting enough protein. I would advocate introducing a product like Lafeber’s Avi-cakes.

They are considered a sweet treat but they offer 100% nutrition to your bird because they contain a high percentage of pellets. The pellets are wrapped with seeds and nuts and fruit held together with molasses.

Because of molting and reproductive activity as well as the stress of changing daylight we offer water fortified with a quality Bird Multi-Vitamin like Lafeber’s Avi-Era.

Shelly responds:

My family loves to cook, but we often wonder if the spices we use are safe for our birds. For example, this morning our banana pancakes included some ingredients I am not sure about, such as nutmeg, & ginger.

Then I wonder about other spices in other dishes. Is there any trusted resource that you recommend to reference or overall people food lists? So much conflicting info is found on the internet that I don’t know what to trust. Thank you.

Here’s my research Shelly.

Nutmeg – this spice contains a narcotic called myristicin, while not usually a problem for humans as we only eat tiny quantities at a time; a bird that consumes nutmeg, suffers from dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.

BUT we’ve seen nutmeg in pet bird food brands over the years. I’d say with the list of beneficial spices for birds and parrots below, I wouldn’t worry about nutmeg.

Alfalfa Leaf helps assimilate protein, calcium, and other nutrients. Contains chlorophyll. Richest land source of trace minerals. A very rich supply of Beta Carotene, Vitamins K and D. High in Calcium and contains Phosphorus, Iron, Potassium, and eight essential enzymes. It is also high in fructo-oligosaccarides which fertilize healthy bacteria in the gut and neutralize bad bacteria overgrowth such as Candida.

Astragalus Powder is an immunomodulator. It contains Glycosides, Polysaccharides, Choline, Betaine, Rumatakenin, and Beta-Sitosterol. It activates the immune system, thus enhancing the body’s natural ability to fight disease and protecting the body against a number of toxins.

Barley Grass is rich in Beta Carotene, B Vitamins and Vitamin C, the minerals Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Chlorophyll, 8 essential amino acids and enzymes, including antioxidants and superoxide dismutase. In total, it contains 92 minerals and 22 vitamins.

Bee Pollen contains 35% Protein, 55% carbohydrates, 2% Fatty Acids, 3% Minerals, and Vitamins. High in B-Complex Vitamins A, C, D, and E. Also contain Lecithin, Beta Carotene, and Selenium. It is rich in vitamins and contains almost all known minerals, trace elements, enzymes, and amino acids.

It contains the essence of every plant from which bees collect pollen in combination with digestive enzymes from the bees. This combination of elements makes bee pollen an excellent source of antioxidants. Bee pollen is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and stimulates immunological responses.

Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne is rich in vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, and calcium. It also contains some B complex, magnesium, phosphorus, and sulfur. It has an antioxidant effect that in very high doses can increase the risk of some cancers but in moderate doses can help to heal other cancers.

Chickweed contains Vitamins A, C, and some B, Flavonoids, Calcium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Zinc. It is used for skin problems, to treat blood disorders, gout, and arthritis.

Chili Flakes is a digestive aid. This flake acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and aids in controlling pain.
Cinnamon is a favorite taste of parrots. It is a digestive aid and recent studies have shown it may help to eliminate E. Coli in food.

Dandelion Leaf benefits liver function. Contains nutritive salts, protein, and is a rich source of Vitamin A. Also high in Vitamins B, C and E. Rich in Potassium, Calcium, and sodium. Contains some Phosphorus and Iron as well as Nickel, Cobalt, Tin, and Copper.

Dill Weed is high in Calcium and soothing to digestion.
Dulse is rich in Protein. It contains 22% more than chickpeas, almonds, or whole sesame seeds. Very high in Vitamins B6 and B12. Relatively low in sodium and high in Potassium. Rich in trace minerals.

Flaxseed supplies the body with essential fatty acids. Not only are flaxseeds richer in these fatty acids than fish oil, but they also taste much better. Flaxseed also promotes strong nails, bones, and healthy skin.

Garlic Powder fights bacteria like an antibiotic. Garlic’s sulfur compounds, in addition to Selenium and Vitamins A and C containing compounds, make it a potent antioxidant, protecting cell membranes and DNA from damage and disease. Garlic directly attacks bacteria and viruses and stimulates the body’s natural defenses against foreign invaders.

Ginger Powder is an absolute favorite taste of parrots. It is an excellent herb for the respiratory system as well as an effective cleansing agent for the digestive system. It contains Protein, Vitamins A, C, and B Complex, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Sodium, Potassium, and Magnesium.

Milk Thistle Seeds support the liver’s ability to maintain normal liver function. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact it stimulates the production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones. Milk thistle is also an antioxidant that is more potent than Vitamins C and E.

Parsley is used as a preventive herb. High in Vitamin B and Potassium. It is said to contain a substance in which cancer cells cannot multiply. Rich in iron, chlorophyll, and Vitamins A and C. Contains sodium, copper, thiamin and riboflavin, silicon, sulfur, calcium, and cobalt.

Red Clover Blossoms and Leaf contain Vitamins A, C, B-Complex, Calcium, Chromium, Iron, and Magnesium. Red Clover has also been used effectively as a blood purifier and antibiotic.

Red Raspberry Leaf contains Vitamins A, C, D, E, and B. It is very high in available Calcium.

Rose Hips is abundant in Vitamin C and helps combat stress.

Turmeric Root has five times more antioxidant power than Vitamin E. Contains curcumin and many other phytochemicals. Makes foods more digestible and possesses anti-fungal and antibacterial properties and protects the liver by detoxification and scavenging free radicals. It also breaks down fats.

Wheatgrass contains too many nutrients to mention them all. It is especially high in Fiber, Protein, Chlorophyll, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin B Complex, C, E, and K, most minerals and contains 18 Amino Acids. High in Fructo-Oligosaccharides.

(the Caperns brand today is owned by another well-known business in the annals of the British pet care industry – Bob Martin. This company was set up in 1892, and still carries the name of its founder as well)

Hi Don

The Eclectus “can’t have vitamins” thing is a myth.

We had a long talk with Laurie Hess Board-certified avian vet and lead nutritionist for Zupreem bird foods.