Contrary to popular belief, parrots should not be fed seed. Their diet should consist of a combination of pellets and whole, fresh foods.
The current recommendation by board-certified avian veterinarians who study avian nutrition is that pellets should make up 50-70 percent of a parrot’s diet. The best pellets to feed your parrots are those that do not contain sugar or dyes, since these ingredients may have a cumulative effect in the body and can cause diseases over the long term, possibly even shortening birds’ life span. Recommended pellet brands include (but are not necessarily limited to) Harrison’s, Roudybush, Hagen, TOPS (Totally Organic Pellets) and Caitec Oven Fresh Bites.
Fruits, seeds and nuts should comprise no more than 10-20 percent of their diet combined. Many people envision parrots in the wild eating a diet of nothing but fruits and nuts, but researchers are discovering that, for most parrot species, that is somewhat of a misconception. In addition, wild birds expend a lot more energy than captive birds, so they need the extra sugars and fats found in nuts and fruits. Plus, the fruits that they eat in the wild contain much less sugar and much more fiber than the fruits cultivated for human consumption. Offer fruits, seeds and nuts only as a treat, and focus mostly on fresh berries and raw, unsalted nuts.
An easy, less time-consuming and cost-effective way to provide a wide variety of fresh foods to your bird daily is to make something called “chop.” Chop is exactly what it sounds like: You cook a big batch of grains and legumes, chop up a variety of vegetables, and mix it all together in a large container. You then spoon 3-4 individual daily servings into sandwich bags or other containers, and put them in the freezer. Depending on how much you make and how many birds you have, one batch of chop can last anywhere from one week to several months. More info on how to make chop can be found in the resources section below.
Many parrots have never learned how to eat a healthy diet, but they can be taught to do so. If your parrot will not eat the foods recommended above, see the resources section below for an article about how to convert your parrot to a healthier, more varied diet.
Foods that should also be avoided include any foods that are high in salt, fat and sugars, and/or contain dyes or preservatives.