Guest author Tony Silva, author of several books on parrots, on diet
I have been observing parrots in the wild during more than 30 years. I have often had the items they were eating examined for a nutritional essay. Based on this information and more than 35 years' as an aviculturist, I will give you my perception.
Most South American parrots, but especially macaws and excluding Amazons and some Pionus; African Greys; and Indonesian cockatoos require fat in the diet. I would say macaws require more fat than most species, as they fed on palm seeds which are oil rich. Amazons feed often on fibrous items which are protein rich but low in fat. Most Australian species have evolved to survive on low fat diets.
Feeding a nutritious diet is key. I have kept many species solely on pellets but production waned slowly. When fruits and other items were added to the pelleted diet, production increased. Pellets are good but not one is based on actual research of parrots in the wild and even if they were, diet varies often within species in the genus, meaning that one may feed on a totally different diet than the other. Gold-capped and Jenday Conures are similar but wild Jendays feed more on pods than Gold-caps, which prefer more fruit, flowers and buds. If you collect a weeks supply of food from the wild and lump them, it quickly becomes apparent that Jendays eat more protein than Gold-caps. I suggest feeding a diet that is balanced and which contains fruits, vegetables and living cells (sprouts, for example-- wild parrots eat a lot of 'living' foods whether it be growing buds or shoots or green pods). Macaws should have fat supplement their diet.
Whatever you feed, bear in mind that some parrots in captivity become sedentary. Amazons can easily become overweight. Mine get very little food and yet they maintain their body weight.
Lentils, small peas and many other items sprout easily. Be cautious in hot climates, which can induce bacterial growth very quickly-- once the birds begin to chew and bite the food, growth stops and fermentation begins. Feed these early in the morning and remove the unwanted items after a few hours; feed then your pellets or seeds. Supplement with greens and fruit if you can. Don't focus on cultivated fruits but look for natural foods, such as Chinaberry and others which grow wild.
I have been observing parrots in the wild during more than 30 years. I have often had the items they were eating examined for a nutritional essay. Based on this information and more than 35 years' as an aviculturist, I will give you my perception.
Most South American parrots, but especially macaws and excluding Amazons and some Pionus; African Greys; and Indonesian cockatoos require fat in the diet. I would say macaws require more fat than most species, as they fed on palm seeds which are oil rich. Amazons feed often on fibrous items which are protein rich but low in fat. Most Australian species have evolved to survive on low fat diets.
Feeding a nutritious diet is key. I have kept many species solely on pellets but production waned slowly. When fruits and other items were added to the pelleted diet, production increased. Pellets are good but not one is based on actual research of parrots in the wild and even if they were, diet varies often within species in the genus, meaning that one may feed on a totally different diet than the other. Gold-capped and Jenday Conures are similar but wild Jendays feed more on pods than Gold-caps, which prefer more fruit, flowers and buds. If you collect a weeks supply of food from the wild and lump them, it quickly becomes apparent that Jendays eat more protein than Gold-caps. I suggest feeding a diet that is balanced and which contains fruits, vegetables and living cells (sprouts, for example-- wild parrots eat a lot of 'living' foods whether it be growing buds or shoots or green pods). Macaws should have fat supplement their diet.
Whatever you feed, bear in mind that some parrots in captivity become sedentary. Amazons can easily become overweight. Mine get very little food and yet they maintain their body weight.
Lentils, small peas and many other items sprout easily. Be cautious in hot climates, which can induce bacterial growth very quickly-- once the birds begin to chew and bite the food, growth stops and fermentation begins. Feed these early in the morning and remove the unwanted items after a few hours; feed then your pellets or seeds. Supplement with greens and fruit if you can. Don't focus on cultivated fruits but look for natural foods, such as Chinaberry and others which grow wild.
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