Amazon Diets
Learn more about Amazon Parrots
Parrots should be provided a parrot / bird mix (some are listed below - but also prefer above for species-specific diets), supplemented with various fruits, green foods, millet spray, and occasionally some mealworms is generally regarded as suitable.
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) ...
Vegetables, fruits and greens should be part of a parrot's daily diet. This includes apples, grapes, many garden vegetables such as spinach, watercress, field lettuce, poppy, chickweed, dandelions, carrots, corn on the cob, peas, endives and sweet potatoes.
- 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).
- Sprouting is an excellent way to provide nutrient-dense foods to birds who are less cooperative in eating its daily portions of fresh foods.
- Sprouting is easy -- this webpage has step-by-step instructions. Simple Sprouts is an excellent sprouting mix.
- You can also germinate the sprouting mix - rather than going through the process of sprouting, which may be somewhat intimidating initially. Germinated seeds offer its own unique set of valuable nutrition and are quicker to obtain and less likely to spoil.
- 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.
Additional proteins should be offered such as cottage cheese, hardboiled eggs, monkey chow, and even dog food.
Peanuts are also a valuable source of protein -- however, 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. Caution is advised when feeding peanuts. Some bird owners, opting to be on the safe side, are eliminating peanuts from their pets' diet.
A cuttlebone, mineral block, gravel and oyster shell can be provided to provide the necessary calcium & minerals
Fresh water should be provided daily.
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
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:
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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 (Avianweb Note: Peanuts are a valuable source of protein -- however, peanuts are often contaminated with aflatoxin, a fungal toxin. Caution is advised when feeding peanuts), 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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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| Nutrition Plus Vitamin and Mineral Fortified Parrot Food: Formulated to provide the proper nutrition that your bird requires. Tough barrier laminate film combined with CO2 flushing protects product from infestation damage. Nutrition Plus is vitamin and mineral fortified seed. Especially designed seeds and grains used for parrots. | ||
| Treats should be fed in moderation only ... | |||
Dr. Harveys Avian Treats - 4 Pack - 8 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. Comes with one pack of Almond Tidbit, Delite, Peanut Butter and Cashew Pecan Goody. |
Peanut Butter | ||
| 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. |
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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. |
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| Hi-Pro Special 8lbs Amazon: Amazons are larger birds that require a special amount of nutrients, as well as variety in their diet. Pretty Bird has developed a special formula just for Amazons, high in protein for their specific needs. This food contains a variety of tastes to keep your bird happy, while delivering the optimum nutrition necessary for proper digestive and full-body function. For the complete health of your bird, trust Pretty Bird. | |||
| Foods to Feed Only in Moderation: |
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| 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: |
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