Effectively, for parrots, utilising a pelleted diet is the greatest option available for maintaining a healthy diet. The evolution of pellets has meant that there are now a number of brands available, all sitting at different price points. Cost is often a deterrence to some people to feed pellets, but it shouldn't be!

When you weigh up reductions in waste and improvements in health; cost becomes irrelevant. However, even with pellets, it is best to offer a range of foods. Fresh produce (some fruits and mostly vegetables), native vegetation (eucalyptus, grevillea, seeding grasses, bottlebrush etc.), nuts, and some seeds are a great addition to a balanced diet.

Whilst seed is a cost-effective alternative, parrots that are maintained on a pelleted diet have a much greater health outlook than those on seed.

For Nectarivores, there is a wide range of diets available. The importance is the ingredients, and trying to find a product that is lower in refined products. By refined products we’re talking about flour and sugar. Many cheaper alternatives use flour as a filler, and the sugars are heavily refined. In the wild Nectarivores are travelling excessive distances, and able to burn off all of the caloric energy that derives from a diet with a lot of sugar.

Foods such as honey or sweet drinks are not an appropriate source of nutrition for a Nectarivore. In the wild they feed on a wide variety of foods, which is also very species specific. A Trichoglossus species can handle a diet that is slightly inferior, but some of the Exotic Lories need a lot more to keep in peak condition. There are some fantastic formulated diets like Nekton and Vetafarm Forest Fusion that have performed well when compared to their competitors.

Now comes the questions around how to offer Nectarivore diets - wet or dry? This often arrives at preference and/or convenience. However a wet diet tends to work exceptionally well, and products like Nekton are designed to be served as a wet diet. There’s less waste, but you must be mindful of bacteria growth in the feeding apparatus.

It is always best to research your bird thoroughly, especially if you're unsure about the best diet. Speak to quality breeders, companion bird owners, and Avian Veterinarians about your new bird; find out what is the best diet available.

Now, what should you be avoiding! The majority of 'human food' is really not what you should feed your feathered friend. This is often a complication for companion parrot owners, and it is an important one. The high levels of unhealthy fats, preservatives, refined sugars etc. can be very dangerous to birds.

There is also plenty of native and exotic flora to avoid. Click the link here for a quick guide on the species that are great to provide, and the ones which aren't.

Plants For Birds

On the fruits and vegetable side, there are some to avoid. Alliums, Avocados, Mushrooms, and parts of the Nightshade plants. Nightshades include Tomato, Chilli, Capsicum (Peppers), and Potato. Whilst feeding the Tomato, Chilli, and Capsicum fruit to your birds is fantastic in the diet (especially Chilli and Capsicum); the stems and leaves from these plants are toxic. In regards to Potatoes, there is no nutritional benefits to feeding it to your birds. It is also toxic raw. Sweet Potato is a much more nutritious option.

Hygiene is also vital. Don't leave old food sitting in dishes, and make sure that birds receive quality fresh drinking water. For Nectarivore keepers, especially those who feed a dry mix, it is important to monitor water cleanliness as this group of birds love to mix their feed with the water. This can harvest bacteria, so extra efforts have to be taken to keep those dishes clean. This is the same for those feathered friends who love to bathe!

For bird keepers living in warmer climates, it is often better to feed food that can spoil easily in the afternoon and change/remove the next morning.