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what to feed parakeets besides seeds

by Dr. Jacques Kessler Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Besides seeds, parakeets can also eat fresh fruits and vegetables, pellets, and bread. Bread should be whole grain and free from salt. Try to avoid bread with a lot of additives and preservatives. Bread can be high in fat, and should only be fed as treats. Besides seeds and berries, parakeets can also eat bread.

Leafy greens, such as kale or romaine lettuce, are choices your birdie will enjoy. Just rinse them thoroughly and hang them, still wet, inside that cage. Melon, tomato, pineapple and apple or pear slices are some fun fruit choices. Steam or shred carrots, broccoli, zucchini and squash and put it in with her next meal.

Full Answer

What fruit or vegetable should you feed your parakeet?

What Fruits & Vegetables Can Parakeets Eat?

  • Leafy Greens. Leafy greens provide rich nutrients. Pet parakeets enjoy many different vegetables, but leafy green vegetables and plants seem to be a favorite choice for many pets.
  • Other Vegetables. Parakeets enjoy the same flavorful vegetables you do. ...
  • Fruits. Be sure to thinly slice the fruit you feed to your parakeet. ...

What types of fruits and vegetables can I Feed my parakeets?

Fruits are fabulous treats for parakeets. However, like vegetables, make sure you are feeding the most nutrient-rich fruit to your bird for the best possible diet. Any kind of fruit available at your local grocery store is great for your parakeet: apples, tangerines, melons, bananas, tropical fruits .

What foods are safe for parakeets?

Some veggies that are safe to feed to parakeets are:

  • Lettuce
  • Broccoli
  • Carrot (preferably shredded)
  • Corn
  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Celery

What is the best food for a parakeet?

Within seconds, several tufted titmice, black-capped chickadees, and downy woodpeckers have visited and taken food. Some even walked along his arms. Campbell taught biology at the Plymouth-Canton schools for over 38 years and has been coming to Kensington Metropark for over 20 years.

What do parakeets eat?

What are some good treats for parakeets?

How often should I feed my parakeets protein?

What are the vitamins parakeets need?

How much does a parakeet weigh?

How much food should a parakeet eat?

What fruits are good for parakeets?

See more

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What other foods can parakeets eat?

Parakeets can eat:Bok choy.Broccoli stems and florets.Brussel sprouts.Butternut squash - parakeets like parrots all originating from the tropics, adore tropical fruits.Cabbage.Carrots.Celery and its leaves.Cucumber.More items...•

What is the best thing to feed parakeets?

Parakeets love broccoli florets, dark leafy greens, finely chopped carrots, sweet potatoes, and other veggies. A seed mix is not going to provide adequate nutrition. You need to be feeding a nutritionally balanced diet. Pellets are an option, but parakeets love whole seeds.

What fruits and veggies are good for parakeets?

A few veggies that are safe and nutritious for parakeets include lettuce, broccoli, carrot, corn, peas, spinach, and celery. Fruit options include apples, tangerines, melons, bananas, mango, pineapple, and coconut.

What food kills parakeets?

Toxic foods that should never be fed to your bird include:Alcohol.Avocado.Cassava (tapioca)Caffeine.Dairy products.Onion, garlic, scallions.Meat.Mushrooms.More items...•

Can parakeets eat bread?

While your parakeet can eat bread in small amounts, we recommend avoiding it unless it's something your bird really craves. If it's one of its favorite foods, we recommend choosing organic, low sodium, whole grain bread to feed your pet as an occasional treat.

Can parakeets eat carrots?

Yes, you can feed your budgie carrots. Carrots, including both the stems and greens, provide great nutrients for your budgie in a way that is tasty and delicious to them. If you don't feed your parakeet too much carrot or contaminated carrot, it makes a great addition to your parakeet's diet.

What are parakeets favorite treats?

Parakeets love nature's candy, fruit! They like fruit such as bananas, kiwi, raspberries and cherries, just like humans do. They also like vegetables like kale, cucumbers and carrots, crushed nuts, and even boiled eggs! Yet, most of all, a parakeet's favorite treat is spray millet.

Can parakeets eat oats?

Parakeet Grains Pearl barley and rolled oats are not suitable, and nor are grain-based breakfast cereals (which are usually more sugar than grain). Anything roasted, soaked, baked, boiled, or cooked in some other way is unsuitable too.

Can parakeets eat peanut butter?

Is Peanut Butter Safe for Parakeets? Peanut butter is safe to feed to Parakeets, but it is considered more of a luxury treat than a beneficial food source. Peanut butter does not contain any minerals that your bird may be lacking in its staple diet, since Parakeets primarily eat nuts and seeds.

Can parakeets eat scrambled eggs?

Yes, budgies can eat scrambled eggs. Scrambled eggs are a great way to make eggs more exciting for budgies by letting them experience a novel food texture. However, you must not add extra ingredients when scrambling eggs for your budgie. In other words, when cooking scrambled eggs for your parakeet, make them plain.

Do parakeets need baths?

Parakeets will bathe whenever they want to, and you'll get to know your own bird's preferences. There are no rules, as such. Some owners put the bath in the cage every week and their birds leap straight in. Others say their parakeet never bathes at all.

Can parakeets eat cheerios?

Cheerios are not unsafe for your budgie, but as others have said there are more nutritious treats out there. If you were eating cheerios and your budgie nibbled on some out of your hand for fun to try it, that is probably fine.

What to feed a parakeet to make it sick?

Since your parakeet would be snacking on protein-rich foods (such as bugs and worms) if she was still in the wild, you should give her small amounts of protein to make up for it. Try adding a bit of scrambled eggs, small slices of turkey or shreds of chicken in with her next meal. The protein should be cooked and in small, workable pieces for the bird. As with produce, remove the protein after an hour or so to avoid getting her sick.

What do parakeets eat?

Pellets. Besides seeds, pellets are the other main staple in a parakeet’s diet. Choose a high-quality bird pellet from your vet or pet store. Stay away from grocery store varieties, artificial coloring or flavors and preservatives.

What to feed a birdie in a cage?

Just rinse them thoroughly and hang them, still wet, inside that cage. Melon, tomato, pineapple and apple or pear slices are some fun fruit choices. Steam or shred carrots, broccoli, zucchini and squash and put it in with her next meal.

Is it bad to feed a birdie seeds?

Feeding your birdie nothing but seeds is not only boring, it is unhealthy. If you want her looking and feeling her best for years to come, add a variety of foods to her menu. This will surely keep her palate happy.

Can you feed a parakeet a drink?

As for liquids, never serve your bird alcohol, coffee, or caffeinated or carbonated beverages. Never feed her chocolate, avocado, dried beans, tomato leaves, garlic, onions, rhubarb or mushrooms. Don’t put fruit seeds or pits in with her food, either. Also stay away from salty or sweet treats. All these can make your parakeet sick , if not prove to be fatal.

What do parakeets eat?

Parakeets eat a mix of seeds, pellets, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. All of these play an important part in some way or the other, whether that be by providing budgies with the energy they need throughout the day or adding essential vitamins and minerals to their daily diet.

What do parakeets drink?

Not just your parakeets’ feeding habits and diet matter, but also what they drink. Parakeets should only drink water and they should not be given things like soda, beer, or any other type of alcoholic beverage. All of these can be dangerous to them.

Balanced parakeet diet

What can parakeets eat in an ideal situation? Even though budgies are rather adaptable to new foods, they can’t have a diet that’s too rich in something and entirely lacking in something else.

What do parakeets eat in the wild?

What do budgies eat in the great outdoors? Wild budgies are omnivores, so they will eat a variety of fruits and veggies, but they will also nibble on seeds, if they get the chance, and also eat insects. In their natural habitat (which is Australia), they have to make do with whatever is available.

How to feed your parakeet

Now that you know what parakeets are supposed to eat, you can feed your budgies correctly. All foods, no matter if they’re seeds or fresh fruit and veggies, should be sized as per your bird. Parakeets are small, so cutting everything into tiny pieces will make it easier for them to eat.

What foods NOT to feed to parakeets

To start with an example, chocolate can be extremely dangerous for a variety of pets, not just pet birds — including cats and dogs. This type of food causes severe intoxication in many animals and if no medical assistance is sought out quickly, it can lead to death. ( 11)

Does my bird need gravel or grit?

Doves and pigeons need grit or gravel in order to be able to digest food properly. However, that only happens because they eat seeds without removing their hull.

What do parakeets eat?

Fruits and vegetables provide natural vitamins and minerals for a parakeet and they also offer the bird a variety of options. Berries such as strawberries and blueberries are very high in antioxidants and as soon as a parakeet gets a taste for the juice of the fruits they will soon begin eating the fruit itself.

Why is a parakeet not on a seed diet?

This is because seeds are relatively high in fat ...

What are pellets for birds?

Pellets are designed to mimic seeds, and are often mixed into seed diets to provide the nutrients that the seed alone does not. They may contain several vitamins and minerals the bird needs which is great!

How to introduce vegetables to budgies?

One way to introduce vegetables to a budgie is to steam or boil them. For example, carrots can be boiled, and cut into tiny pieces. This can be topped with some leafy greens and some millet spray to tempt the birds to pick at the treat.

What seeds are good for a small parrot?

Below are some common types of seeds which are found in parakeet blends or which can be purchased and mixed separately: Safflower: ideal for any small parrot. Groats: ideal for any small parrot. White sunflower: given in moderation. Striped sunflower: common in many small/medium parrot mixes.

What is the best way to trim a bird's beak?

Cuttlebone - (also, cuttlefish bone) a natural calcium block, helps to trim a bird's beak. Mineral block - a source of minerals that also helps to trim a bird's beak. Grass seeds - you can find these in any field of flowers or even in your back yard. This can be given often.

Do parakeets eat seed?

Parakeets are relatively easy to feed. They are curious birds that are generally willing to try out most treats you present to them. Most budgie owners prefer to purchase seed that is already mixed at pet supply stores; however, a seed diet alone does not provide a parakeet with all the essential nutrients it needs.

What to feed a parakeet?

The aim when feeding your pet parakeet is to match the diet the bird would have in the wild. This means a good-quality seed (grass seed and other seeds being the staple diet of wild budgerigars in Australia). The seed should be supplemented with a mineral block and a little fresh food. Parakeet pellets are an alternative to a seed-based diet.

What is a parakeet's beak?

The parakeet's beak is a precision tool for removing seeds from their husks, with a tongue for scooping out the nutritious stuff. When the bird flaps its wings in exercise, it will send small clouds of these discarded seed husks into the air, so expect to be sweeping parakeet bran from your floor on a regular basis!

How long do parakeets keep their cere?

Robert, many young parakeets will keep a violet colored cere until about 1 year old. If there are white rings right around the nostrils, you have a female. Even in the nest, before their feathers grow in, this can be seen.

What is the white part of a parakeet's poop?

The white bits in parakeet droppings are uric acid, the bird equivalent of urine, and the dark bits (lighter in pellet-fed birds) are the poop.

How often should I feed my chicken feeder?

Treats, such as millet sprays or store-bought 'seeds-on-a-stick', should be fed no more once a week.

Do parakeets eat seed?

Parakeet Feeding Behavior. Parakeets are cautious eaters - you'll notice that they nibble a seed, and then instantly raise their head to have a good look around. This habit serves them well in the wild, where they might be mugged by a predator or robbed by a cheeky neighbor.

Can parakeets eat grit?

Many birds need grit, but not parakeets - although some pet stores still sell grit specifically for parakeets. In rare cases, parakeets can actually die of a blocked crop after eating too much grit. So, the best policy is to never offer insoluble grit: it serves no purpose and may even lead to problems.

What do birds eat to lay eggs?

Eggshells – this may seem strange, but female birds expend a lot of calcium when laying their own eggs. Believe it or not, birds will eat eggshells! Eating egg shells is a quick way for them to replenish that calcium. This would be a great treat to leave out during egg-laying season. You can save and rinse your eggshells, then bake at 250 degrees F for 20 minutes. This will sterilize them and make them brittle and easy to crumble.

What to feed a bird to stop it from swallowing?

Bran flakes, toasted oat, plain Cheerios, corn flakes or plain cereals with fruit and nuts. Crush with a rolling pin before feeding so birds do not have trouble swallowing large chunks. Also remember not to feed sugar-coated cereals or cereals with marshmallows added.

What do hummingbirds eat?

Especially in the winter months and during migration, kitchen scraps such as bacon grease, cheeses, and fruits can provide birds with essential nutrients that they need, and a more varied diet. It's never too late to start feeding hummingbirds. Here's a quick list of things you'll need to get you started!

What birds eat fruit?

Having fruiting trees and shrubs, such as apple, pear, orange, blackberry and raspberry, will attract many birds such as orioles, mockingbirds, catbirds and sapsuckers.

Is it bad to feed birds from the kitchen?

Some drawbacks. Feeding birds from the kitchen has its advantages and can be beneficial for birds but does have some drawbacks. These types of foods attract several types of pests including raccoons, opossums, deer and squirrels, to name a few.

Can birds eat bacon grease?

Bacon – you’ve likely seen suet cakes available to purchase for birds, which are made with animal fat. Many birds love to use this fat as an energy source. Bacon grease can be collected and cooled in the refrigerator, then put out for birds to enjoy. You can even mix some bird seed in with the grease and then solidify.

Can you feed bird scraps?

A typical tube feeder or window feeder isn’t going to be ideal for feeding birds kitchen scraps. They are built for bird seed and just aren’t going to be the best choice for putting pieces of food in that aren’t as small as sunflower, safflower, millet and other small seeds.

What Fruits Can Parakeets Not Eat?

Parakeets can have a variety of fruits, but there are several fruits you should never feed to a parakeet because some fruits or their seeds can be toxic for parakeets. Here is the complete list of what fruits parakeets can not eat.

What Fruits Are Safe For Parakeets?

Generally, all seasonal fruits are safe for parakeets. They can eat a variety of fruits except for Avocado. Fruits are full of Vitamins and minerals.

What Veggies Can Parakeets Not Eat?

Just like fruits, parakeets can eat a wide variety of seasonal veggies. But some commonly used vegetables are found to be toxic for parakeets, such as asparagus, garlic, eggplant, green tomatoes, etc.

What Foods Are Toxic To Parakeets?

Besides the fruits and vegetables, parakeets also eat seeds, nuts, protein sources like eggs and meat. Parakeets need a balanced diet with a mix of all foods, as mentioned earlier. The toxic foods for parakeets are chocolates, rhubarb, bread, xylitol, etc.

What Are Safe Foods For Parakeets?

As we have discussed earlier, a huge variety of fruits and vegetables are safe for parakeets. Apart from fruit and vegetables, parakeets also eat other certain foods. These food options are 100% safe and nutrition-packed for parakeets such as nuts, seeds, bird food, grains, bird pellets, etc.

Can Parakeets Eat Bread?

A simple answer is yes. Bread is safe for parakeets. But it’s not a recommended diet. Only whole grain bread is considered a tasty and good diet option for parakeets.

Can Parakeets Eat Wild Bird Food?

Parakeets can safely eat wild bird food because wild bird feeding patterns are dependent on seasonal veggies, fruits, and wild seeds. So there’s no harm in it. You can also attract some wild parakeets by serving some quality feed for them.

What do parakeets eat?

Parakeets are capable of eating a large variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. They can also eat some foods that humans eat, like eggs and chicken. Foods to avoid for parakeets include chocolate, fruit pits, apple seeds, avocado, and foods that are high in fat, sodium, and sugars. Parakeets are not limited to just seeds!

What are some good treats for parakeets?

Like any person or animal, parakeets love getting occasional treats. There are a lot of different ways that you can treat your parakeet: Peanut butter: Another great source of protein, and it’s a super tasty treat for parakeets.

How often should I feed my parakeets protein?

If you want to supplement protein to your bird through these ways, keep in mind that fresh protein should be limited for parakeets (about a fingertip’s amount) every two weeks. Remember that if your parakeet were still in the wild, they would be snacking on protein-rich foods like bugs and worms.

What are the vitamins parakeets need?

Fresh vegetables give parakeets essential vitamins, like vitamin A, B, C, and calci um, such as broccoli. Spinach and alfalfa sprouts are rich in vitamin A, E, and K.

How much does a parakeet weigh?

Parakeets are very small, incredibly light creatures- their average weight ranges between 25 to 35 grams or 0.8 to 1 ounce! If you give them an entire head of broccoli or even an apple slice, they’re going to have a hard time breaking it apart and eating it.

How much food should a parakeet eat?

Just like fruits, make sure you are feeding your birdie buddy fresh vegetables! It’s recommended that a parakeet should eat about 1/2 to 3/4 cup of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

What fruits are good for parakeets?

Fruits and Their Benefits for Parakeets. Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Apricots: apricots and mangos are both loaded with beta carotene, which is converted into vitamin A. Strawberries: the seeds in strawberries are safe for birds to eat, so you won’t need to worry about removing them.

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