This document provides guidance on feeding birds a healthy and balanced diet. It recommends assessing the bird's current diet and slowly transitioning them to a pelleted diet with seeds as occasional treats instead of the main food source. A variety of fresh fruits and vegetables should be provided along with clean water, while avoiding toxic foods like avocado, chocolate, onions, and mushrooms. The diet should be tailored to each bird's individual needs and signs of malnutrition addressed by ensuring normal eating and feather and beak conditions.

1. Birds, just like
other animals,
need a healthy
balanced diet.
Our knowledge of bird nutrition is constantly evolving, and not all species need
the same things. This is intended to help bird owners make smart decisions
when it comes to feeding your feathered friend.
Goal# 1: Assess your birds current diet
- The composition of non-pelleted commercial diets allows
birds to pick out and only eat seeds.
- Slowly wean birds off of non-pelleted diets
- Seeds are like candy to a bird. Treat
them just like a small kid, candy in
moderation is fine, just don't
overdo it.
- Always provide clean
and fresh water.
- Overfeeding seed leads
to malnutrition; seeds
are high in fats while
being deficient in
calcium and vitamin A.
- Treats such as millet
sprays and honey sticks
are considered seeds.
- Cockatiels can be
allowed on 2 level
tablespoons of
seed/day.
- Birds not fed a variety
of feed can have
nutrition-related
problems like feather
picking and egg binding.
- Tomatoes are safe for
birds to eat, just make
sure that the leaves and
vines are removed.
- Powder supplements
may be necessary for
some birds. These
supplements should be
dissolved in water or
sprinkled on moist food.
- Cut fruits and veggies
into manageable pieces
for your bird.
Goal # 4: Don't dish up toxic foods
- Avocado, guacamole, chocolate,
and caffeinated beverages (soda,
tea, and coffee) cause heart
problems.
- Mushrooms cause liver damage.
- Onions and uncooked beans cause
blood disorders and vomiting.
- Rhubarb leaves and tomato vines
and leaves are toxic and cause GI
upset.
- Nutmeg causes vomiting and
nausea.
Goal # 2: Provide a healthy variety of feed
- In general, "healthy people food" is
"healthy bird food".
- Feed a variety of fresh fruits and
veggies.
- Avoid pale green vegetables that
have a high water content and little
nutritional value (ex. celery and
Iceberg lettuce).
- Orange and yellow colored
vegetables are high in beta-carotene
(a precursor for vitamin A).
Goal # 3: Address malnutrition
- If you suspect that your bird is not
receiving the proper diet, answer these
questions:
1. Is your bird eating normally? If not, the
bird may be deficient of essential
nutrients.
2. What condition are the bird's feathers
in? Insufficient diets can cause the
feathers to look ragged and dull.
3. Are there any changes in the beak?
Deficiencies can cause the beak to
become soft, flaky, and prone to injury .