Proper diet and nutrition for birds

By Mary Sara Fields, AnimalForum.com staff

The subject of diet and nutrition for your pet bird is a diverse one with opinions available from many sources. But generally, all pet birds must be fed the healthiest diet possible to maintain optimum health, energy and beauty. With such a wide variety of bird species and bird sizes, diets can vary dramatically. It is imperative that bird owners educate themselves about their species dietary requirements. The guidelines offered here are very general, but will provide a new bird owner with an idea of how to get started on a well balanced and nutritious diet for their bird.

Water: Fresh water is one of the most important elements of a good diet. Most pet birds dunk their seeds, pellets and fresh food into their water bowl all day long. The water rapidly becomes a contaminated "bacterial soup" that is dangerous to the bird's health. The water bowl should be monitored throughout the day and changed regularly. It's a good idea to install a hanging water bottle on the side of the cage, since most birds take readily to the water bottle. A water bowl should still be provided, as some birds like to dunk their food and bathe in the water bowl, and that water must still be changed throughout the day.

Pellets: There are many brands of bird pellets on the market today. Pellets are formulated to include all of the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and nourishment that most pet birds need, and they should be the main part of the daily diet. Pellets come in many sizes, shapes, colors and formulas, and they can be purchased in small or large quantities.

Some birds simply do not like pellets, especially if they had previously been fed a seed diet. But a bird that refuses to eat dry pellets often will relish the pellets if they are moistened. If you serve the pellets moistened, they must be removed from the cage after 6 hours to avoid spoilage. Many breeder birds enjoy the pellets moistened as they seem to prefer soft foods while feeding their babies.

No matter what species or size bird you have, there is a perfect pellet available. Some birds will definitely prefer one brand over another, so experiment. Your bird should be offered as many pellets as he will eat in one day.

Seeds: Bird seeds come in species-specific formulas and many are vitamin- and mineral-fortified. There are special mixes for Canaries, Finches, Cockatiels, Small Hookbills, Medium Hookbills and Large Hookbills. Some brands have dried fruits, vegetables, greens and nuts added into the mixture. Most mixtures are available with or without sunflower seeds. Many avian specialists do not recommend feeding any seeds to your bird, while others feel it is a natural food for birds.

The seeds should be in addition to pellets and not the main diet offered to your bird. Many small species of birds thrive on seeds, provided they are fed ample amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables in addition to the seeds. No bird should be fed a seed-only diet.

Some species are prone to obesity due to cage living, lack of exercise and genetics. Amazons, in particular, can develop a weight problem. Very fatty seeds and nuts such as peanuts and sunflower seeds should only be offered to the bird as a special treat. Other species are so active that the addition of the fatty seeds, in moderation, is not harmful. Parent birds that are feeding babies can also benefit from a little extra fat in their diet.

Fresh fruits and vegetables: Wild birds eat an enormously varied diet. Pet Birds also need and benefit from a wide variety of fresh foods. Commonly fed fruits include apples, bananas, berries, cantaloupe, green or red grapes, mangoes, oranges, papayas, pears, strawberries and watermelon. Commonly fed vegetables include corn, carrots, cooked yams, broccoli, cucumbers, green beans, peas, pea pods, yellow squash, and zucchini. In addition, birds should be fed fresh greens daily, such as spinach, dandelion greens, turnip greens, beet tops and chard. Most lettuces have very little nutritional value and should be avoided.

Make sure that all fresh foods are washed thoroughly before serving. As a minimum offering, a good rule to follow on a daily basis is two fruits, two vegetables and one leafy green. Your bird should be fed as many of these foods as it will eat each day. Please remember that some birds will eat the fresh food from a bowl, while other birds prefer the food hung on a kabob. Some birds prefer the fresh food chopped into small pieces and some prefer larger chunks. The fresh greens should be hung on the side with a clip. As a rule, the smaller bird species will eat more fresh food if it is hung on a kabob rather than in a bowl. Try experimenting with different ways of offering the food and your bird will let you know its preference.

Sprouted seeds: Fresh sprouted seeds are one of the healthiest foods a bird can eat. However, the instructions to sprouting seeds must be followed scrupulously, as sprouted seeds become highly toxic and lethal if they are not rinsed often enough. If any of the rinsing steps are skipped, the batch of sprouts must be thrown away. Most health food stores sell many varieties of sprouting seeds, devices in which to prepare them, and good instructions. Try soaking millet spray for a fun and unusual treat for your bird. The same rinsing rules apply to the millet spray. It must be rinsed thoroughly several times per day. If you see white mold on the sprouts, discard them immediately.

Grains, legumes, and pasta: Pet birds enjoy and benefit from frequent servings of any of the following cooked foods: brown rice, millet, oatmeal, grits, barley, groats, any kind of cooked beans, peas, lentils, and pasta. You can prepare these foods yourself, or there are many bird mixtures on the market called "soak and cook" mixtures. Almost all birds love these mixes. Parent birds especially love feeding these soaked foods to their babies. It is very easy to purchase a combination of these foods, add some seeds and make your own specialized mixture. By preparing dry mixture ahead of time, it is a simple to prepare a daily portion by soaking and/or cooking

Cuttle bone and mineral block: Birds need large quantities of calcium, and by simply hanging a cuttle bone and a mineral block inside their cage, they will eat it as they need it. Most birds will consume a lot of the cuttle bone and mineral block around molting time. Female birds, preparing to mate and nest, will consume huge quantities of both. Once the female bird starts laying her eggs, and once the babies start to hatch, both the male and female will continue to eat the cuttle bone and the mineral block voraciously. Make sure you have extras, and replace as needed.

Millet spray: Almost all birds love millet spray, and it is a safe treat for all birds. The sprays make an excellent weaning food for baby birds. There are a variety of millet hangers on the market, so the spray can be hung on the side of the cage.

Bread and cereal: A high quality 12-grain bread is a healthy addition to any bird's diet. The larger birds like it plain or toasted. The smaller birds and breeding birds prefer it untoasted. A male parent bird will eat large quantities of 12-grain bread to feed the babies. There are many excellent recipes for "birdie breads" that incorporate corn bread as a base with the addition of food supplements, seeds, egg shells, etc. Most pet birds enjoy a few bites of unsweetened breakfast cereal such as Multi-Grain Cheerios, Shredded Wheat, and others. Avoid feeding any of the overly sweetened cereals.

Food supplements and vitamins: If fed a well balanced diet, including pellets, most pet birds do not need any additional food supplements or vitamins. An overabundance of vitamins can be highly toxic to your bird. It is advisable to consult your avian vet before adding any supplements or vitamins to your bird's food.

Toxic foods: The following foods should never be fed to you pet bird: avocados, chocolate, apple seeds or apple cores, the flesh of a fruit that has a bleeding pit like some peaches, plums, and apricots (do not give any of those pits to the bird to chew). Do not feed alcoholic beverages, nicotine, or drugs. Do not feed any salt, salty seeds, nuts, or chips, salty canned vegetables or salty frozen vegetables. Many frozen vegetables, such as corn, are available unsalted. Rinse all frozen foods thoroughly and bring to room temperature before feeding.

Breeding birds: Breeding birds need all of the above in large quantities. If a pair of birds hatch three to six babies, the owner must remember that the father bird is eating for as many as eight birds and will consume huge quantities of food. Also, many species of birds will not mate and lay eggs if they perceive that there is not enough food to feed their young. In the wild, if the harvest is poor, many birds will not breed, waiting instead for a good harvest year. If you are breeding birds, it is highly advisable to start offering larger quantities of food prior to the mating season. The birds will then feel confident that food will be available to feed their babies.

Hopefully this list will get you and your pet bird started on a healthy life-long diet. Your bird is completely dependent on you for meals. A bird should never be allowed to go hungry and should always have plenty available. In addition to nutrition, food provides stimulation and pleasure for your pet bird. Birds enjoy the colors, shapes, and textures in different foods. Offer your pet bird as large a variety as possible.