If you keep birds as pets, you have likely wondered if the food you are providing meets all of the bird’s nutritional needs. Because the natural diet of birds varies so widely depending upon the type of bird and his original geographical location, this is a very valid question. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of tips on how to make sure you provide variety and essential nutrients :
Provide Variety
In the wild, birds eat everything from fruits to insects, so it is important to ensure they are consuming a varied diet in captivity. To ensure your bird is as healthy as can be, offer a varied diet full of leafy greens, citrus fruits (orange), broccoli and corn on the cob. These foods provide a spectrum of nutrients while also providing birds with a fun eating experience.
Pack on the Protein
Birds need protein just like any other animal and they will enjoy consuming it in the form of cooked meats, eggs and tofu. Some birds develop a taste for cheeses while others might enjoy yogurt. Experiment with different protein sources to find one your bird loves and then be sure to include it in your bird’s diet at least twice a day.
Bread for Birdie
Just like people, birds love bread. Provide unsweetened breads, cooked pastas or unsweetened breakfast cereal for your bird at least twice a day. These foods are fun for birds to eat and provide important fiber and carbohydrates for the bird’s diet.
Wild for Water
In the wild, birds drink often and because of this, it is important to ensure that your bird has ample access to cool, clear water at all times. Clean water dishes often and dump them every time they become soiled or contaminated. Drinking dirty water can introduce bacteria into a bird’s digestive system, creating illness and infection.
Provide Pellets
Although traditional bird food is seed-based, birds love pellets and including some dense, pellet-based food in your bird’s diet will provide exciting texture and important nutrients. Where seed foods typically lack nutrients, pellets can provide dense mineral and vitamin contents.
Very Many Veggies
Just like humans, birds need to consume a spectrum of colors in their daily diet in order to ensure they are getting all their needed nutrients. For best results, provide your bird with a wide variety of fruits and vegetables of varying colors, like sweet potatoes (cooked), squash, apples, banana and berries. This will ensure your bird is getting all his needed vitamins and minerals while also providing some fun variety in the diet.
Ensuring your bird is getting adequate nutrition is as easy as learning to be creative with his diet. Birds eat a wide variety of things in the wild and by simulating that to the best of your ability in your domestic bird’s diet, you can ensure that your feathered friend is in optimal health for years to come.
If you have any more questions about bird nutrition, why not send a question to one of our experts? We are here to help!
Content reviewed by a veterinarian.
Photo ©iStock.com/iVangelos
