African Grey Diets

Information about African Grey Parrots

Species-specific Requirements for the African Grey:

• Start with a quality dry food mix: I love Dr. Harvey's Bird Food Mixes as they lack the harmful additives that are commonly found in commercial mixes and have an AMAZING variety of quality ingredients (including dried fruits, veggies, herbs / greens and even superfoods, such as bee pollen!) - in short: myriad nourishing ingredients that are not found in other commercially available bird mixes (click here for product info). I would recommend that you ask your local pet store to add them to their product offerings. You can also buy it online (both WITH Seeds and WITHOUT) ...



• Some African Greys are prone to low blood calcium, so try to incorporate plenty of calcium-rich foods. Some suggestions might include:
  
  
  • Even though most dark leafy greens are rich in calcium, broccoli, rapini, turnip greens, collard greens and mustard greens are better sources than spinach, chard and beet greens because of the high oxalic acid content that blocks absorption of the calcium in spinach, chard, and beet greens.
  
  
  
  • Calcium-rich vegetable / fruits and greens are: bok choy, kale, parsley, mustard greens, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, dandelion greens, apricots, figs, endive, okra, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), pinto beans and kidney beans. Please note that large raw beans - such as Anasazi, Black, Fava, Kidney, Lima, Navy, Pinto, and Soy - can cause toxicities when fed raw, causing digestive upsets for people and potentially for birds. Some experts recommend that large beans should be cooked to make them safe and digestible. Others counter that soaking beans for 24 hours starts the germinating process and that soaking makes the beans safe and digestible. For those who do not want to take any risks, it's best to cook large beans thoroughly before feeding to your birds. These beans are not recommended for general sprouting purposes. Certain uncooked dried beans contain enzyme inhibitors, are indigestible , and may cause visceral gout in birds. These enzyme inhibitors may prevent or decrease the utilization in the body of substances, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin, to produce nutritional deficiencies. Beans that can interfere with proteolytic enzymes are lima, kidney and soybeans. Cooking these beans for at least 2 hours destroys these enzyme inhibitors. Other dried beans do not appear to contain these enzyme inhibitors or, if present, are in low concentrations. To be on the safe side, it's best to cook ALL varieties of beans.
    
    
  • Other food sources of calcium: Baked eggshells, crushed and sprinkled over the food, oatmeal, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, and tahini -- "nut butter" made of sesame seeds
  
  
  
  • African Greys should be given carefully calculated quantities of calcium and vitamin supplements. It is a good idea to have the calcium levels of the african grey checked routinely (annually) by a vet.
    • NOTE: Care must be taken with vitamin supplements not to provide too much calcium. It has been shown that calcium levels in the diet of over 1% decrease the utilization of proteins, fats, vitamins, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc and manganese. At a level of 2.5% in the diet nephrosis, hypercalcemia, hypophosphotemia, visceral and renal gout, and decreased food intake have been observed.

• They need their veggies and greens!
  
  
  • Convenient Sources of Fruits / Veggies: For days when I am too busy to prepare something for my pet birds, I always have available jars of baby food with fruits & vegetables (i.e. Gerbers).
  
  
  
  • Sprouts! My African Grey, lovebird and cockatiel LOVE their sprouts.

    Sprouted or germinated seeds are usually more easily accepted by "seed addicts" than fresh fruits and vegetables.

    • Sprouted seeds are healthier as the sprouting changes and enhances the nutritional quality and value of seeds and grains. Sprouted seeds are lower in fat, as the process of sprouting utilizes the fat in the seed to start the growing process - thus reducing the fat stored in the seeds.
    • Sprouted seeds will help balance your bird’s diet by adding a nutritious supply of high in vegetable proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and chlorophyll.
    • Soaked and germinated "oil" seeds, like niger and rape seeds, are rich in protein and carbohydrates; while "starch" seeds, such as canary and millets, are rich in carbohydrates, but lower in protein.
    • It is in invaluable food at all times; however, it is especially important for breeding or molting birds.
  
  
  
  • Medicinal Herbs: I am very enthusiastic about the Herb Salad. I came across that bird food about a year ago and bought it for my pet birds. I was surprised that they actually loved eating it! After all, it's only a bunch of healthy greens! The input I have gotten from people who also fed it is amazing -- some of the comments are published on the Herb Testimonial page. The above sprouting mix and the Herb Salad are definitely a must in my household. Since a little goes a long way with either one - they also represent the most cost-effective way of providing quality nutrition to my birds.
  
  
  
  • Superior Nutrition Food: Healthy Dried Fruits & Veggies - Make Excellent Healthy Bird Treats & Food!



• Flax Seed: To restore the balance between Omega-6 and Omega-3 essential fatty acids in your African Grey’s diet, you may want to include Flaxseeds every day. Eating whole flaxseed rather than flaxseed oils because you get the whole package: the protein, fiber, minerals and phytochemicals along with the omega-3. Flaxseeds are also the best source of the phytochemical lignan. Lignan is documented to have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-cancer properties. I sprinkle Flaxseed on my birds fresh food daily.



• Sunflower Seed: African Greys may become obese, which is detrimental to their health. Sunflower seeds are very high in fat and it is recommended to keep the quantity of sunflower seed down to a minimum. Birds generally favor sun flower seed over other nutritious food, which can lead to malnutrition. Reducing or eliminating sunflower seed from your pet's diet is recommended.



• Summary: In the wild, African Greys eat fruits, leaves, insects, bark and flowers. In captivity, they should eat a varied diet of fruits, vegetables supplemented with some seeds and nuts. Rice, cooked beans, corn, tortillas, pasta, potatoes, bread and cooked chicken are healthy foods for Greys. They also need extra calcium supplementation, so add bones, oyster shell, and cuttle bones to the diet. Now, the difficult task of getting him to eat his new diet. It is not appropriate to starve birds into eating what you desire. Instead, you need to appeal to their playfullness and curiosity. Texture and presentation are often more important than taste. Try cutting carrots and brocolli stems into silver dollar sized slices, then stringing together and hanging the string in the bird's cage. Try stuffing rice and cooked beans into rolled cardboard and taping them to the cage. More on "foraging" opportunities, please go to this website.

Generic Diets & Additional Food Items: Healthy Bird Treats & Snacks ... Superior Nutrition Food: Herbs Specifically for Bird Health & Healthy Dried Fruits & Veggies - Make Excellent Healthy Bird Treats & Food! ... Cooked Diets ... Splay Millet & Millet Accessories ... Mineral / Calcium Blocks & Accessories

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Avianweb's Favorites!

As far as bird foods are concerned, my favorites are listed below ... I like to feed my parrots Dr. Harvey's Food (that is linked here) - it's packed with wonderful ingredients and it's an overall great-quality bird food. You may want to ask your local pet store to add Dr. Harvey's bird food to their product line ... Another basic bird food that is commonly available at pet stores is Lafeber. It is better than most commercial bird foods.

• Tip: I mix Dr. Harvey's and Lafeber's Nutriberries together (about 80:20) and found this a quality dry food mix that my parrots enjoy while benefitting their general health.

Dr. Harveys Perfect Parrot Food / With Seeds Quantities below: 2 / 4 / and 15 lbs Dr. Harvey's Whole Foods for Birds use nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, herbs and bee pollen in unique blends that combine to give your companion bird the balanced nutrition that it needs to maintain health and longevity, vibrant color and remarkable plumage. Ingredients: Bee Pollen Granules: The ultimate whole food. Bee pollen is so packed with vitamins and amino acids that one tablespoon is the equivalent of three servings of fruits and vegetables. Nuts: Macadamia, Brazil, Almond, Filbert, Cashew, Pecan, Pistachio meats, Pignolia, Walnut, Peanuts in shell* Dried Fruit: Banana Chips, Apples, Mango pieces, Coconut Chips, Orange Peel strips, Apricots, Pears, Pineapples, Nectarines, Peaches, Papaya, Cranberries, Raisins Vegetables: Petite peas, Carrot Cuts, Celery Stalk & Leaf, Parsley Flakes, Green Beans, Spinach Flakes, Green & Red Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Zucchini, Green Beans Seeds: Pumpkin in Shell, Safflower, Large Sunflower Grain: Whole Corn Bean: Soy Bean Herbs: Echinacea Augustifolia, Dandelion Leaf, Red Clover blossoms, Papaya Leaf, Oat Straw, Peppermint Leaf, Calendula Flowers, Red Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa, Fennel Seed, Thyme Leaf, Rose Hips, Rosemary Leaf, Basil Leaf
Dr. Harveys Exotic Parrot Food - No Seed Quantities below: 2 / 4 / 15 and 25 bs Dr. Harvey's Whole Foods for Birds use nuts, vegetables, fruits, herbs and bee pollen in unique blends that combine to give your companion bird the balanced nutrition that it needs to maintain health and longevity, vibrant color and remarkable plumage. Bee pollen is so packed with vitamins and amino acids that one tablespoon is the equivalent of three servings of fruits and vegetables. Ingredients: Mango, Papaya, Apricots, Pineapple, Raisins, Macadamia Nuts, Pine Nuts, Pecans, Pistachio, Walnuts, Almonds, Filberts, Brazils, Cashews, Soy Beans, Peanuts in Shell*, Peaches, Pears, Nectarine, Cranberries, Apple Dices, *Coconut Chips, *Banana Chips, *Carrot Dices, *Green Beans, *Broccoli, *Zucchini, *Garden Peas, *Orange Peel Strips, *Green Bell Pepper, *Red Bell Pepper.
Dr. Harveys Veg-to-Bowl for Birds - 1 lb Veg-to-Bowl is a fantastic way to provide essential vitamins, minerals and fiber for your companion bird. By adding the vegetables and herbs for digestion in Veg-to-Bowl every day, you give your bird the key to proper nutrition and a happier, healthier life. Veg-to-Bowl is easy to use! Just add Veg-to-Bowl daily to your companions meals. You can mix Veg-to-Bowl with any natural food that you are currently feeding. Veg-to-Bowl is also a great addition for those who are feeding a raw diet to their companions. Ingredients: Sweet Potatoes*, Carrots*, Diced Potatoes*, Zucchini*, Broccoli Florets*, Green Beans*, Peas**, Beets*, Parsley, Fennel Seed, Fenugreek Seed, Garlic, Ginger, Papaya Leaf and Peppermint Leaf. * Dehydrated ** Freeze Dried.
Dr. Harveys What's Cooking for Birds - 1 lb / 2 lbs / 5 lbs / 10 lbs. The food contains 6 certified Organic Grains, 13 vegetables, 5 fruits, whole food multi vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements. Ingredients: organic kamut flakes, organic brown rice flakes, organic spelt flakes, organic rolled oats, organic barley flakes, organic tritacale flakes, carrot strips, potato dice, petite peas, sweet potato dice, zucchini pieces, green beans, brocolli florets, leek pieces, beet dice, parsley flakes, chives, cilantro, green & red bell pepper, apple dice, rasins, apricots, peaches, pears, garlic, red clover, rosehips, alfalfa, oat straw, bee pollen, dandelion leaf, flaxseed meal, papaya, rosemary, peppermint, lecithin , ginger.
Pretty Bird African Species Specific Pelleted Mixes: Features all your African species' daily recommended doses of vitamins and minerals including an exceptional amount of Calcium for these species which require higher levels of this mineral.

Treats should be fed in moderation only ...
Dr. Harveys Avian Treats All-Natural Avian treats formulated using 100 percent Human Consumption Ingredients for medium to large size birds. Ingredients: Nuts and Nut Butter formed into patties. Comes with one pack of Almond Tidbit, Delite, Peanut Butter and Cashew Pecan Goody.
	Cashew Pecan	Almond Tidbit	Filbert
Dr. Harveys Avian Treats - 2 oz All-Natural Avian treats formulated using 100 percent Human Consumption Ingredients for medium to large size birds. Ingredients: Nuts and Nut Butter formed into patties.
Dr. Harvey's treats (above) are superior to any of the others listed here or available at most of your local stores -- they are listed for completeness and variety, and may very well be eagerly accepted by some birds. I am, however, having serious reservations about some of the ingredients. If fed, please do so sparingly only.

Foods to Feed Only in Moderation:	Those veggies containing a high amount of oxalates. Some common examples include: spinach, chard, and bok choy. Fruits, which can provide too much sugar in the bird's diet. Diets that are based 100% on cooked beans/grains/pasta. These diets often have too much phosphorus and are very high in calories which can result in an obese bird. The diet should not be based on seeds. Seed diets contain too much fat and are deficient in many nutrients.
Foods you may consider NOT feeding	*Peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Aflatoxin is carcinogenic and causes liver damage in birds and other animals. Roasting reduces aflatoxin but does not eliminate it entirely. North American peanut producers are currently working on eliminating contaminated peanuts from their products. Especially peanuts with dark spots on them should be considered suspect, but even those that look clean and perfect could possibly be contaminated.
Foods to NEVER Feed:	Caffeine Chocolate The pits of most fruits, such as plums, peaches, apricots, and nectarines, contain cyanide. Cyanogenic glycosides are enzyme inhibitors that cause nausea, vomiting, and eventually coma Raw Beans: Many raw beans contain a trypsin inhibitor that interferes with protein metabolism; as well as hemaglutin (another toxin). Cooked or sprouted beans are fine. Eggplant, potato, tomato leaves, and green potatoes. Their leaves contain alkaloids that are poisonous for birds. Symptoms of ingestion in a bird include vomiting, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing. Avocado: The toxin persin is mostly found in the leaves, rind, and bark from avocado trees. However, even the fruit should be off-limits for pet birds. Persin poisoning causes respiratory distress and heart failure. Nutmeg contains a narcotic, myristicin, that can cause dizziness, nausea, and vomiting in birds. Rhubarb leaves contain high concentrations of oxalic acid, an intestinal irritant. Large doses are fatal. Tobacco contains the poisonous alkaloid, nicotine. Birds that ingest tobacco leaves suffer vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and other symptoms.