What Do Parrots Eat?
Parrots eat seeds, pellets, fruits, vegetables, brown rice, wheat bread and peanuts. Parrots should not eat chocolate, avocado and rhubarb. Parrots are lactose intolerant, so they should not have any dairy products.
The bird seeds found in pet stores typically do not have as many nutrients as the seeds parrots eat in their natural habitat, so they should be a small part of a domestic parrot’s diet. Parrots can be picky eaters and may choose seeds over healthier options if given the choice. Pellets have more nutrients than bird seeds and should account for at least half of a parrot’s diet. There are many nutritious fruit and vegetable choices for parrots, including mangoes, berries, pineapple, oranges, kale, green beans, peppers and corn. Darker-colored fruits and vegetables usually have more nutrients. Wash fruits and vegetables beforehand, and remove any pits to prevent choking. Variety is important for parrots, so feed them many different types of food. Do not feed parrots any junk food or food that is high in fat, salt or sugar. Lories and Lorikeets are parrots that have much different dietary requirements. Their diet is nectar based, so they need a special nectar-based formula. They can also eat fruits and vegetables.
