Feeding Caged Birds


Such diets are excessively rich in oils, extremely deficient in certain vitamins (notably vitamin A), and have an unacceptable calcium to phosphorus ratio. Furthermore, recent research has shown that the high oil content of these food items confers an addictive quality on them. Whenever possible, fruit juice (apple juice is a good starter) should be substituted for the drinking water. This may not be a practical suggestion for birds that habitually bathe in their drinking water.

Feeding Larger Caged Birds (e.g. parrots, cockatoos, macaws)

Seeds and seed mixes should not constitute more than 20% of what your bird consumes daily. 80-100% of the daily diet should be comprised of foodstuffs that you can easily find in the average family home.

Animal Protein Sources
Cooked meat (red meat, poultry, fish, etc.), dog/cat kibble, cooked eggs yolk and white, cheese, cultured milk products (cottage cheese, yogurt, etc.).

Whole Grain Products
Dry cereals, cooked cereals, rice, uncooked oatmeal, granola, breads (whole wheat in particular), muffins, pasta (cooked or uncooked), crackers.

Nuts
In moderation (nuts are rich in oils and fats).

Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh, frozen-thawed or canned are all acceptable. Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most nutritious. When birds eat a lot of fleshy fruits and vegetables, they excrete excessive fluids in the form of urine which is normal and to be expected. This increased urine in the droppings is polyuria, not diarrhea.

Feeding Small Caged Birds (e.g. canaries, finches, parakeets, cockatiels)

Every day, offer greens (spinach, broccoli, carrot tops, celery leaves, parsley, etc.), grated carrot, grated cheese, hard-boiled or scrambled egg, canned tuna fish (packed in water), dry cereals, stale or toasted whole wheat bread (crumbled or in cubes), and small bits of other vegetables and fruits. Some birds may accept soft food items, such as peanut butter, cooked cereals, applesauce, and other strained fruits and vegetables.

Salty foods are acceptable for pet birds as long as they are given in moderation and as long as fresh water or fruit juice is always available.