Feeding Large Caged Birds

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Larger caged birds (conures, parrots, cockatoos, macaws)

should be fed as follows:



    * 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 table food

    items:



    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.).  Raw and even pasteurized milk should not be offered

    because they contain coliform bacteria.  Furthermore, many

    caged birds are sensitive to milk sugar, which is present in

    milk but not in cultured milk products.



    WHOLE GRAIN PRODUCTS:  Dry cereals, cooked cereals, rice,

    uncooked oatmeal, granola, breads (whole wheat in

    particular), muffins, pasta (cooked or uncooked),

    crackers.



    NUTS, TRAIL MIX:  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.



Remember:  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!



    * JUNK FOOD ITEMS:  In moderation.



Remember:  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.



The following foods can be prepared and offered to large

psittacines (conure, parrot, cockatoo, macaw) on a daily

basis.  This list has been compiled with consideration to ease of

preparation, economy of time, and maximum nutritional value.

You should offer at least one item from each of the following

food groups daily.