Making sure your parrot has a healthy diet and good nutrition is one of the best things you can do to ensure your bird stays healthy. Poor nutrition can significantly shorten their lifespan and lead to various health problems. Even birds that live on an “adequate diet” can end up having a myriad of health issues including liver disease, feather disorders, and respiratory problems.
So many parrot owners believe that bird seed and water is the perfect parrot diet. Seed has been considered the standard for so long that many owners believe that is all it takes to provide a healthy and balanced nutritional diet for their birds. But make no mistake about it - it takes a lot more than that.
African Grey parrots are truly amazing companions, known for their sharp intelligence, affectionate behavior, and beautiful looks. To help your feathered friend thrive, it’s important to give them a balanced and nutritious diet. The right food does wonders for their health, energy, and mental stimulation. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at the best food for African Grey Parrots and share some helpful tips to keep your parrot happy and healthy.
Dietary Requirements
What’s the perfect parrot diet made up of for your particular bird? Well that is a matter for debate. The fact is that most research that has been done has been based on poultry. Parrots have not been studied nearly as much as poultry and for good reason. Parrots live in the wild in a wide variety of climates all over the world. It will be a long time before we have sound information on even the common varieties of birds.
For some parrots, we consider a fifth and generalist category, omnivory, which is one that combines one or more of the four specialized plant-food categories with animal protein. Your first choice is whether seeds or pellets make up the bulk of the diet. Seeds not pellets are what birds in the wild would eat.
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1. Pellets: The Cornerstone of Their Diet
Pellets should be the primary food for African Grey parrots. They are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of parrots, providing the necessary vitamins and minerals in the correct proportions. When it comes to feeding your African Grey parrot, high-quality pellets should make up about 60-70% of their daily diet.
When selecting pellets, it's best to choose those specifically formulated for African Greys or medium-sized parrots. Make sure to avoid any that contain artificial colours or preservatives since those can be harmful to their health. Pellets are a great option because they help prevent dietary imbalances that can happen when parrots are only fed seeds or other incomplete foods. Keeping their diet balanced is essential for their overall well-being!
If you're looking for a great option for your feathered friend, consider the Askio Nature Energy Complete Parrot Food or the Askio Nature Fruit & Vegetable Blend Complete Parrot Food. Both of these choices offer a well-balanced diet that's designed to keep your parrot energized and healthy. It's a great way to ensure your parrot gets all the nutrients it needs to thrive!
2. Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: A Natural Source of Nutrients
Fresh fruits and vegetables are an essential part of the food for African Grey parrots. Not only do they provide important vitamins and antioxidants, but they also keep your parrot entertained and engaged. Some great options include:
- Fruits: Apples, pears, bananas, berries, grapes (in moderation), and melons. Avoid feeding them avocado, as it is toxic to parrots.
- Vegetables: Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and Swiss chard, along with carrots, cooked sweet potatoes, broccoli, and bell peppers. These vegetables are rich in fibre and vitamins, which are crucial for your African Grey's health.
Make sure to wash all produce thoroughly to remove any pesticides or chemicals. Offering a variety of fruits and vegetables ensures that your bird receives a broad range of nutrients.
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Most vegetables and salad are suitable for greys’. Some providers will avoid mushrooms, garlic and onions; others use them to no ill effect. Potato and tomato leaves are not suitable. You can serve any fruits available. Bananas, blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon, blackberries, cherries, grapes, kiwi, mango, orange, plums, pomegranate, pawpaw, passion fruit, raspberries, peach, banana peel, pears, raisins, dates, apples, papaya, melon, apricots etc. I should note that current views consider commercially grown fruit contains too much sucrose. However, fruit are relished by Grey parrots. Their natural wild food is palm oil fruit.
Greys’ love flowers and most are suitable. Those of us who make salads for our greys’ will use nasturtium, roses and pansies as edible decorations. Some flowers are poisonous: Shamrock, holly, poinsettia, datura, laburnum, ivy, mistletoe, daffodils and lilies. A well-fed active Grey won’t generally touch poisonous plants. Some carers cultivate weeds for their flocks. Dandelions for example. Chickweed are relished by breeding hens.
3. Moderation is Key with Nuts and Seeds
African Greys definitely enjoy seeds and nuts as a tasty snack, but it’s important to offer them in moderation. If they indulge too much, it could lead to obesity or nutritional imbalances since these treats can be quite fatty. Some great nut options for them are unsalted almonds, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Just keep an eye on the quantity to ensure they stay healthy!
When feeding nuts or seeds, make sure they are fresh and free of any salt or seasoning. Limit portions to no more than 10% of your bird's daily diet, no more than twice or three times a week. Consider incorporating a nutrient-rich mix with seed options like the Parrot Essentials African Grey Parrot Food Premium Seed Mix or the Parrot Essentials Low Sunflower Parrot Food, both designed specifically for African Greys.
African greys’ love nuts. Any and every variety, shelled or opened. The amount of nuts you give depends both on the individual and how much exercise she gets. I’d expect an average training session to last up to five minutes and rewards would be three or four slivers of nuts. Parrots can eat safflower seed, sunflower seed, linseed and a range of other seeds.
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Are Sunflower Seeds Really Bad for Parrots?
Sunflower seeds have earned a bad reputation in the aviculture world. These seeds are labeled as fattening, and often blamed as the leading cause to serious health problems (like Nutritional Disorders, Fatty Liver Disease, Thyroid Dysplasia and Obesity) in parrots.
We often get advises from experienced aviculturists, telling us to avoid feeding sunflower seeds to our parrots, because these are unhealthy and lacks in nutritional value.
I decided to find about the nutritional fact of sunflower seeds. I was totally dumb-founded with my findings.
Do you know sunflower seeds are excellent sources of various vitamins and minerals?
Sunflower seeds are actually a good source of Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Potassium, Phosphorus, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Iron and Zinc and a very good source of Vitamin E1.
Although sunflower seeds are high in fat, if we learn to offer sparingly and cautiously at limited amounts, it can be an ideal supplement to the parrots’ daily nutritional needs without affecting the health.
Key Vitamins and Minerals Found in Sunflower Seeds
- Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol): A fat-soluble antioxidant, important for reproductive hormones. Deficiency can lead to poor fertility, lethargy, muscle disorders, and poor skin and plumage conditions.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): A water-soluble vitamin that helps break down proteins. Deficiency can lead to poor growth, loss of appetite, and poor egg production.
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): A water-soluble vitamin in the vitamin B complex group. It helps maintain a healthy nervous system. Deficiency can lead to loss of appetite, lethargy, seizures, and even death.
- Magnesium: Helps in muscle relaxation and contraction, protein production, and converting carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into energy. Deficiency can lead to poor growth, lethargy, and even death.
- Potassium: Important for proper growth and carbohydrate metabolism. Deficiency can result in poor growth rate and kidney disorders.
- Phosphorus: Needed for proper growth and bone formation. Deficiency can result in bone problems.
- Copper: Helps in the formation of red blood cells and keeps blood vessels, nerves, the immune system, and bones healthy. Deficiency can lead to anemia and bone deformities.
- Manganese: Essential for the formation of strong, healthy bones. Deficiency can lead to bone problems.
- Selenium: Helps create antioxidant enzymes that prevent and repair cell damage. Deficiency may impair the reproduction system.
- Iron: Needed to make the oxygen-carrying proteins hemoglobin and myoglobin. Deficiency can result in anemia.
- Zinc: Essential for wound healing, blood-sugar regulation, and strengthening the immune system. Deficiency can lead to slow and poor growth, and poor feather conditions.
Other than vitamins and minerals, sunflower seeds are also an excellent source of protein and dietary fibre. Traces of linoleic acid are also found in sunflower seeds. Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid. It is an important element for proper growth, wound healing and reproduction.
The parrot diet: the importance of vegetables
4. Foraging: Mental Stimulation Through Food
African Greys are incredibly intelligent and need mental stimulation throughout the day. Foraging is a natural behaviour for parrots, and it helps prevent boredom and promotes mental health. You can create foraging opportunities by hiding fresh foods or safe treats inside toys or puzzles.
Consider offering whole-grain pasta, popcorn (without butter or salt), or small pieces of fruit and veggies in foraging toys. Alternatively, you can treat your bird to some delicious foraging treats like the Natural Red Millet Sprays Parrot Treat or the Tidymix Mixed Fruit Parrot Treat, which are both healthy and enticing for your bird to discover and enjoy.
5. Cooked Grains and Legumes: Healthy, Filling Options
In addition to fresh foods, you can offer your African Grey healthy grains and legumes. Cooked quinoa, brown rice, or oatmeal can be a good source of fibre and complex carbohydrates. Legumes like lentils and chickpeas are also a great option.
When preparing these foods, make sure they are cooked without any added salt or seasoning. Offering a variety of grains and legumes can keep your African Grey's diet interesting and nutritionally balanced.
6. Fresh Water: Always Available
Fresh, clean water should always be available to your African Grey. Ensure that their water is changed regularly, as parrots can be picky about drinking stale water. Dehydration can lead to serious health issues, so make sure to monitor your water intake daily.
Nutritional Disorders
Vitamin A deficiency is the most common problem resulting from a poor parrot diet. Neither seed nor pellet food has enough vitamin A for your bird. The answer lies in leafy greens, green vegetables and most orange fruits and vegetables that have sufficient vitamin A to help solve the problem. You just have to get your bird to eat them.
If you get your bird on a good healthy parrot diet of fruits and greens, the disorder can be easily reversed. Be careful of vitamin supplements that you might find at your local pet store. It’s very easy to overdose your bird on these and cause harmful toxicity. It’s better to load them up on fruits and vegetables.
The other common deficiency from a poor parrot diet is low calcium levels. This can cause lowered immunity, seizures and feather picking. Again calcium rich foods like almonds, carrots, kale and watergrass will help. You can get a liquid calcium supplement and add it to the bird’s water a few times a week. I wouldn’t use this unless a veterinarian had tested your parrot and found it had low calcium.
Neither seeds nor pellets contain enough Vitamin A.
A valuable addition to a Grey’s diet, is sprouts, seeds or grains. You soak the seeds for 24 hours. Then rinse and place in one of the many types of sprouter available. Keep it in a warm place out of direct sunlight and use when the sprouts have a little tail.
My regime is 40% seeds and pellets and 60% fresh food.
Making chop and freezing it has become a popular way to feed parrots. Chop recipes abound they’re similar to birdie bread. Here is a simple one. Use 500-1 kg of whatever is in season. Pop the mustard seeds in a tablespoon of oil. Add the beans and fresh vegetables. Only let it warm through, don’t cook the mixture. Top with cinnamon, poppy or sesame seeds. This recipe will provide between 2/3 kg of chop. You can use smaller quantities for a single bird.
Foods to Avoid
While it's important to provide a variety of foods, it's equally important to avoid foods that can harm your African Grey. Some common foods to steer clear of include:
- Chocolate: Toxic to parrots and can cause severe health issues.
- Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, and certain sodas, caffeine is harmful to birds.
- Alcohol: Parrots should never be given alcohol.
- Processed Foods: High-fat, high-sugar, or highly salted foods can be dangerous and should be avoided.
- Onions and Garlic: Both can cause digestive issues and toxicity in parrots.
There are no milk trees in the rain forest nor do parrots breast feed. So, they have never evolved to digest lactose. That said, many parrots appear to love yoghurt or the occasional small piece of cheese.
Artha as a young bird had the habit of swooping down to the family tea table and swooping off clutching a LARGE slice of cake.
Table 1: Summary of Diet Recommendations for African Grey Parrots
| Food Group | Recommended Percentage of Daily Diet | Examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pellets | 60-70% | Askio Nature Energy Complete Parrot Food, Askio Nature Fruit & Vegetable Blend Complete Parrot Food | Choose pellets specifically formulated for African Greys or medium-sized parrots. Avoid artificial colors and preservatives. |
| Fresh Fruits and Vegetables | 20-30% | Apples, pears, bananas, berries, leafy greens, carrots, broccoli | Wash all produce thoroughly. Offer a variety to ensure a broad range of nutrients. Avoid avocado. |
| Nuts and Seeds | Up to 10% | Unsalted almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, Parrot Essentials African Grey Parrot Food Premium Seed Mix | Offer in moderation due to high fat content. Ensure they are fresh and free of salt or seasoning. |
| Cooked Grains and Legumes | Small Portion | Cooked quinoa, brown rice, oatmeal, lentils, chickpeas | Cook without added salt or seasoning. |
| Foraging Treats | As needed for mental stimulation | Whole-grain pasta, unsalted popcorn, Natural Red Millet Sprays Parrot Treat, Tidymix Mixed Fruit Parrot Treat | Use in foraging toys to promote natural behavior and prevent boredom. |
Note: Always provide fresh, clean water.
Fresh water is essential all the times, so should be changed at least twice a day.
Captive parrots are generally fed two or three times a day. I am an advocate of two meals a day. The breakfast bowl should be removed after thirty minutes with no food left except overnight. Following this routine means your bird will be keen for his training sessions.
When pellets form the main portion of the diet, supplements should not be given. If you are anxious than your avian vet should be asked for advice. Either because he or she wishes to feed you as their fledgling or it is a sexually active response from a parrot who fancies you as her mate. It isn’t necessary but it’s so much fun.
Wild parrots are presumed to eat insects and grubs both from chewing bark and fruits.
“If you are asking about greys’, yes, certainly they are omnivorous. The Americans have an expression ‘facultative omnivores’ applied to most parrots, meaning that they will eat whatever is available at the time. Certainly, in captivity African grey parrots and other parrots will eat cooked egg, cooked chicken and fish, and cheese. Many carers believe animal protein should never be fed. You must make up your mind. Some of us feed eggs. I do myself occasionally provide a hard-boiled egg or a vegetable omelette which I share with the greys’.
Parrot cooks have their favourite, here’s mine. It’s not for daily use as it’s too rich and calorific. So only feed it as an occasional treat. I mix the flour, oil and sugar till smooth then add the eggs, apple sauce and cinnamon. This recipe is not ideal for birds but has the advantage that people can enjoy it too. To make a mash you soak seeds and legumes for 12/24 hours and allow them to sprout. Then cook those along with various grains.
When vegetables are in short supply, I use frozen, and I regularly use frozen peas and tinned sweetcorn.
Second - only serve and eat healthy foods.
These days vets, researchers, experts, breeders, zoo owners and hobby owners do not have a 100% agreement on parrot diet. So with this in mind, have we reached a conclusion as to the best nutrition for African greys’?
