9 Healthy Bird Food | Guide to Tasty Food Options
Sharing food with birds can be a fantastic experience, but most pet parents aren’t aware that it can also benefit your pet’s health and happiness. Specific vitamins and minerals that birds require are lacking in many bird diets, which can result in many serious health issues. Having said that, most pet parents are unaware of the best bird food.
Consider giving your bird one of these tasty, nutritious, and simple options when you think they deserve a special treat. You will quickly discover that providing healthy bird food does not have to be expensive or time-consuming. So, in this inspirational guide, Pet Life Expert will help you with the best bird treats.
9 Natural and Healthiest Bird Food Options
While various toxic bird food varieties are on the market, plenty of bird food guarantee your pet’s well-being. Here, we’ve explained those options for everyone’s convenience.
1. Fruits
Depending on what your birds like, you can choose from mango, pomegranate, bananas, cantaloupe, or apples. You can feed your bird almost any fruit you can think of. Fruits are a favorite among most pet birds like blue bird and hummingbird since they are tasty, nutritious, and a great source of vitamins.
Remove and throw away any leftovers a few hours after serving, just like you would with any fresh food you give your bird. By doing this, the growth of bacteria within your pet’s cage is prevented. For instance, grapes are high in sugar, so be gentle with them.
2. Beans
For your companion bird, beans are a plentiful supply of vegetable protein and fiber, which keeps its digestive system functioning effectively. Beans are not only a plant-based protein which is best for muscle health, energy boosting, and feather growth.
Try cooking a soup mix with 15 beans without adding any flavor. Let the beans cool and then give your bird an amount to eat. Your small friend will quickly come to appreciate this. Never give a pet bird raw beans because they might be poisonous if not cooked.
3. Sprouts
Are you a fan of alfalfa sprouts in salads? They might also be fun for your bird. It is easy to learn how to sprout appropriately in your kitchen! Any sprouts you provide your bird should be well-cleaned. Some might have migrated from your garden to the local grocery store, and you would rather not subject your pet to these toxins.
Sprouts are a very healthy and beneficial bird food because it is nutrient-dense, easy to digest, and very palatable. These are a nutritious approach to providing your pets with live, fresh nutrients. Also, it is the best solution to add a variety to your bird’s diet.
4. Vegetables
In their natural environment, wild birds consume a wide variety of vegetables, so it makes sense that fresh vegetables would also be good for pet birds. The next time you provide your pet broccoli, yellow squash, or greens, ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.
Peas, carrots, kale, and root vegetables are among other favorites and nutrient bird food. Vegetables are and essential and healthy option to add to your bird’s diet. They provide you with essential nutrients like minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, ensuring well-being of your bird.
5. Pasta
Pasta, cooked or uncooked, is a favorite food of birds. The good thing about oatmeal is that it contains a lot of carbohydrates that give you energy! When you boil and cool down bowtie pasta, try offering it to your bird after cooking it with vegetables.
For a tasty and exciting snack, stuff some uncooked macaroni noodles with nut butter if your pet likes crisp pasta. It is considered safe bird food as it doesn’t affect their health. Plain cooked pasta can be a very healthy and enjoyable treat for birds like parrots, but it should not be given consistently. It provides carbohydrates for energy but not nutrients to ensure balance.
6. Popcorn
Unbelievably, a lot of pet birds like popcorn as food. Both popped and unpropped kernels can be used to serve your bird. To soften the rigid hulls, boil the popcorn kernels in plain water for a short while if you want to serve it unpropped. You can use a small quantity of pure coconut to pop the kernels for your bird.
Do not ever microwave popcorn for your bird. Plain and air-popped popcorn is safe for birds to eat. It is low-calorie option with limited fat, hence a decent snacking option. These types can be unhealthy for your pet because they are high in fat and salt.
7. Cereal or Grains
When flocks of wild birds crowd their crops to feed, grain producers often complain. A hungry flock of birds can quickly clear a grain field. Grains are rich in nutrients and beneficial to birds. They provide nutrients that certain other foods are unable to provide.
In addition to being a good supply of healthy carbohydrates, whole grains are a great source of essential protein. Grain or cereal can be a part of healthy bird diet but choose the right grains like sprouted grains. Watch the feeding craze start when you serve your grain bake, quinoa, or bird oats!
8. Peppers
Birds can withstand the heat, yet many people find it challenging to eat chili peppers. They are a favorite among exotic parrots and other bords all over the world because our avian friends do not have the taste receptors.
Peppers can be a healthy diet option for birds because they nearly don’t have capsaicin receptors that humans use to detect burn. Bell peppers are good potassium, beta-carotene, and vitamin C source, boosting immunity. See how your pet chomps through a fresh banana, jalapeño pepper, or chili to reach the meat and seeds inside.
9. Nuts
Nuts are very beneficial to your avian companion. Mainly, walnuts offer a variety of nutritious qualities that other nuts do not. They are delicious, and many birds enjoy them as natural foraging games or special treats. Certain birds will spend time on some types of shells, trying to pry them open using their beaks and jaw muscles.
Offer to help them crack them with a nutcracker if they come upon one, they just cannot open. Nuts can harbor certain fungus forms, so always ensure they are clean and unsalted before serving them to your lovebird. Nuts can be frozen to maintain their freshness for a long time.
It’s A Wrap
Regarding birds’ food, many options could help your birds be active. Although birds can eat various human foods, not every food is good for feeding birds. Therefore, we’ve prepared a list of healthy bird food to help you plan the best diet for your feathered friends. Make sure to include the above-listed foods in their meal plan so that they can eat healthy. However, always keep in mind to wash every food, feed slowly, make slices, and start small to ensure they stay safe and healthy.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
Can Birds Eat Dog Food?
It is not recommended at all to make dog food a part of bird diet because is not nutritionally balanced for birds. While a small amount occasionally is okay but don’t let them consume it in large amount.
Can Birds Eat Cat Food?
Due to potential health risks and formulation or nutritional differences, it is not recommended to give cat food to any bird. However, it can be given in limited quantities.
How Long Can Birds Go Without Food?
It depends on the specific bird species, size, and overall health. While larger birds can survive several days and small immature birds may not survive more than 24 hours. They need water to hang on and won’t survive without it.
How Long Can Baby Birds Go Without Food?
The immature and baby birds cannot survive without eating more than 12 hours. While food is another concern, they’ll need water to survive after every 2-4 hours as well.
Can Birds Smell Food?
Yes! Birds do have a sense of smell, and it plays an important role in their food hunt. Some birds specifically locate food by smelling it, no matter it is far away or readily visible.
