The 5 Best Food For Parrots
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When you think of a pet parrot, you probably picture a giant colorful macaw or a talking African Grey. The truth is, however, that there are hundreds of different species of parrot and many of them make great pets. The more you learn about parrots, the more you will be amazed by them, and that doesn’t even compare to the joy of keeping one for yourself!
When it comes to caring for your pet parrot, you’ll need to consider its needs for space, enrichment, and nutrition. Keep reading to learn the basics about choosing a healthy diet for parrots and to see our top picks for the best bird food for parrots.
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Compare Best Food For Parrots
|
Best For Australian Parrots
3. ZuPreem Natural Daily Parrot & Conure Bird Food |
Best For Amazon Parrots
5. ZuPreem Pure Fun Enriching Variety Parrot & Conure Food |
|||
|
Crude Protein
12.0% Min |
Crude Protein
12.5% Min |
Crude Protein
14.0% Min |
Crude Protein
14.0% Min |
Crude Protein
10.0% Min |
|
Crude Fat
15.0% Min |
Crude Fat
4.5% Min |
Crude Fat
4.0% Min |
Crude Fat
14.0% Min |
Crude Fat
6.0% Min |
|
Crude Fiber
7% Max |
Crude Fiber
5% Max |
Crude Fiber
5% Max |
Crude Fiber
18.0% Max |
Crude Fiber
8.0% Max |
What Do You Need to Know About Parrots?
There are more than 350 different species of parrots on Earth, and they come in all sizes and colors. When it comes to companion parrots – parrots kept as pets – sizes generally range from 5-inch lovebirds all the way up to 40-inch macaws.
When it comes to the ideal diet for parrots, it depends to some degree on the species.
Most parrots eat a combination of seeds, fruit, nuts, vegetables, and other foods in the wild and many commercial diets approximate that combination of ingredients.
Another option is to choose a commercial pellet that is nutritionally complete and balanced in each bite, then supplement it with small amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables as well as seeds.
In addition to providing for your parrot’s nutritional needs, you also need to make sure he has plenty of space and an enriching environment. Because parrots range in size, you’ll need to do some research on your parrot’s species to see how much space it needs and what kind of toys are best.
How To Choose The Best Bird Food For Parrots?
Because there are many different species of parrots, you need to be careful about choosing the diet that is right for your bird.
Be sure to do some research about your parrot to see which type of diet is recommended by veterinarians.
To help you get started in looking for a good parrot food, here are some general things to look for:
- Species-Specific Recipe – If you want to make sure that your parrot is getting the best nutrition possible, choose a species-specific recipe rather than a bird food designed for a certain size bird.
- Variety of Ingredients – Parrots eat a widely varied diet of fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts in the wild so you should look for a bird food that is made with a variety of different ingredients.
- Complete and Balanced – An alternative to a varied blend of seed and other ingredients would be a commercial pellet that is complete and balanced for parrots.
- No Artificial Additives – In addition to checking that your parrot food contains healthy ingredients, you should also make sure it does NOT contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives or other chemical additives.
Our Top Picks For The Best Food For Parrots
Keep reading to see our top 5 recommendations for the best bird food for parrots.
The ideal diet for your parrot will depend on the type or size of parrot you have. All bird foods are not created equal, and you have to choose the one that is best for your bird.
You may have to try several options before you find one your parrot likes.
Dr. Harvey's Perfect Parrot Food Natural Food
Product Info
- Crude Protein: 12.0% Min
- Crude Fat: 15.0% Min
- Crude Fiber: 7% Max
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Contains a wide variety of ingredients your parrot would eat in the wild
- Loaded with fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts to provide varied nutrition
- No added chemicals, dyes, or preservatives
- Not intended for small parrots like conures and parrotlets
- Fairly expensive compared to other brands
Lafeber Classic Avi-Cakes Parrot Food
Product Info
- Crude Protein: 12.5% Min
- Crude Fat: 4.5% Min
- Crude Fiber: 5% Max
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Complete and nutritionally balanced but more enriching then regular pellets
- Nutritious blend of natural ingredients for daily use or treats
- Encourages the bird to forage and play
- Specifically formulated for conures, may not be ideal for other parrots
- Some shipments may come with clusters stuck together
ZuPreem Natural Daily Parrot & Conure Bird Food
Product Info
- Crude Protein: 14.0% Min
- Crude Fat: 4.0% Min
- Crude Fiber: 5% Max
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Complete and nutritionally balanced in every bite
- Enriched with added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids
- Easily digestible in extruded pellet form
- Some parrots simply don’t like eating pellets versus seed
- Pellets may be too small for larger birds
Kaytee Fiesta Variety Mix Parrot Food
Product Info
- Crude Protein: 14.0% Min
- Crude Fat: 14.0% Min
- Crude Fiber: 18.0% Max
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Complete and nutritionally balanced with added nutrients
- Enriching blend of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds
- Prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion
- Contains some artificial coloring
- Some parrots will only pick out the pieces they like
ZuPreem Pure Fun Enriching Variety Parrot & Conure Food
Product Info
- Crude Protein: 10.0% Min
- Crude Fat: 6.0% Min
- Crude Fiber: 8.0% Max
Guaranteed Analysis
Dry Matter Basis
- Uniquely formulated for parrots to deliver balanced nutrition and enrichment
- Fortified with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for optimal health
- Comes in engaging shapes, colors, and flavors
- Some birds will only pick out the pieces they like, avoiding the pellets
- Intended only for enrichment, up to 30% of the parrot’s diet
This particular product includes a varied blend of fruit, smart pellets, vegetables, and nuts to ensure complete and balanced nutrition while also appealing to your bird’s foraging desire. Plus, is it fortified with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for optimal health.
How Much Should You Feed Your Parrots?
The amount you feed your parrot varies depending on the type of parrot you have and its size. Small parrots may eat up to ¼ cup of pellets per day supplemented with 1 to 2 teaspoons of seed. If you’re not sure how much to feed your parrot, purchase a bird food designed for the size of parrot you have and refer to the feeding instructions.
How Many Times a Day Should You Feed Your Parrots?
Most birds tend to eat small amounts throughout the day, so plan to provide a day’s worth of food for your parrot about once a day.
If you have more than one parrot, you may need to refill the food dish during the day or provide two dishes.
Final Remarks
The perfect bird food for one parrot may not be the right choice for another parrot.
You’ll need to think about the type or size of parrot you have and choose a bird food accordingly.
Remember, you also need to take your bird’s preferences into account – you may have to try several options before you find one your parrot likes. If you’re not sure where to start shopping for parrot food, try one of our top 5 picks reviewed above!
