Nutrition Guide
What Parrots Can & Can't Eat: 2026 Complete Food Guide
Diet is the single biggest factor in how long your parrot lives. Here's the breeder-tested list of every food we feed daily — and the ones that will kill a bird overnight.
The 60-25-10 Rule
A healthy adult parrot eats roughly:
- 60–70% high-quality pellets (Harrison's, TOP's, Roudybush)
- 25% fresh vegetables and dark leafy greens
- 10% fruit, nuts, sprouts, and protein
Pure seed diets cause fatty liver disease, calcium deficiency, and obesity — they are the #1 dietary cause of premature death in pet parrots.
✅ Safe Foods for Parrots
| Food | Notes |
|---|---|
| Apples (no seeds) | Remove seeds — they contain cyanide |
| Carrots, sweet potato | Excellent vitamin A source |
| Broccoli, kale, spinach | Daily greens; spinach in moderation |
| Bell peppers (all colors) | Birds don't feel capsaicin — chili is fine too |
| Berries | Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries |
| Mango, papaya, banana | High sugar — treat portions |
| Cooked quinoa, brown rice | Plain, no salt or butter |
| Almonds, walnuts, pecans | Unsalted, in shell when possible |
| Hard-boiled egg | Great protein 1–2× per week, shell included |
| Sprouted seeds & legumes | Far healthier than dry seed |
❌ Toxic Foods — Never Feed These
| Food | Why It's Dangerous |
|---|---|
| Avocado | Persin causes heart failure — fatal in small doses |
| Chocolate | Theobromine is highly toxic to birds |
| Caffeine (coffee, tea) | Causes cardiac arrest |
| Alcohol | Lethal even in tiny amounts |
| Onion & garlic | Cause hemolytic anemia |
| Apple/cherry/peach seeds & pits | Contain cyanogenic compounds |
| Salt & salty snacks | Causes kidney failure |
| Sugary processed foods | Liver damage; obesity |
| Mushrooms | Many varieties cause liver failure |
| Rhubarb leaves | Oxalic acid is toxic |
| Dairy (cheese, milk) | Birds are lactose intolerant |
| Raw/dried beans | Hemagglutinin is fatal — must be cooked |
Species-Specific Notes
- African Greys need extra calcium — offer leafy greens daily and consider a UV light to help vitamin D metabolism.
- Macaws require more healthy fats — Brazil nuts, almonds, and palm nut oil are staples.
- Cockatoos gain weight fast — limit nuts and sunflower seeds to a few per day.
- Amazons are prone to obesity and fatty liver disease — keep treats minimal and pellets dominant.
What If My Bird Ate Something Toxic?
Call your avian vet immediately — don't wait for symptoms. Bird metabolisms are fast and toxins act quickly. If it's after hours, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control hotline (888-426-4435) takes bird calls 24/7.