Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (2024)

By

Alyson Kalhagen

Alyson Kalhagen

Alyson Kalhagen is an avian expert and writer with more than 10 years of combined professional experience as a veterinary technician and manager of a chain of successful pet stores. Her specialty is in avian behavior and socialization. Alyson owns several birds andhas been featured in Bird Talk Magazine.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Editorial Process

Updated on 02/23/22

Reviewed by

Natasha Diehl

Reviewed byNatasha Diehl

Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets.

Learn more about The Spruce Pets'Veterinary Review Board

Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (2)

Many of us have heard about how important it is to eat plenty of vegetables throughout our lives, and those who have owned pet birds for a while have also likely heard about the many benefits that vegetables can give our feathered friends. Fresh vegetables should make up the bulk of any hookbill's diet. Not only will veggies boost your bird's nutrition levels, but they will also help keep things interesting for your pet in terms of introducing new flavors, textures, and colors to his or her dinner bowl.

  • 01 of 05

    Broccoli

    Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (3)

    What many bird owners don't realize is that broccoli is more than a tasty treat for their pet birds—it can provide them with several types of nutrients that they might be missing out on simply because they are in captivity. For example, birds in the wild manufacture lots of Vitamin D because they spend so much time in the sun. Captive pet birds, even when provided with UV lamps, are often deficient in this important nutrient unless it is supplemented. Feeding your feathered friend broccoli can be a good way to make sure that your pet is getting an adequate amount of Vitamin D in his or her diet.

  • 02 of 05

    Carrots

    Carrots are another vitamin-rich fresh food that is a favorite of many pet birds. Containing high levels of beta-carotene, carrots can go a long way in supporting optimal eye health, which is important for birds of all species. As a bonus, carrots are flavorful and fun to eat! Simply wash and peel a carrot and give it to a larger hookbill like a Macaw to offer a great snack and toy in one. Smaller birds tend to enjoy more "bite-sized" ​portionsand may do better with baby carrots or shredded carrots. Make sure to feed any carrots to your bird raw and uncooked, as they are healthiest in their raw, natural state. The nice crunch of the carrot also provides necessary jaw exercise to pet birds.

  • 03 of 05

    Spinach

    Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (5)

    Spinach and other types of leafy green vegetables such as romaine lettuce and kale are also wonderful additions to any pet bird's healthy diet. Not only do most birds love to eat these healthy veggies, but they are also full of nutrients and antioxidants that can boost your bird's immune system. For birds who struggle with being overweight, these types of vegetables can be used to provide them with a full tummy while cutting back on the number of calories that they consume. This can be helpful in species such as co*ckatoos and Amazon Parrots.

  • 04 of 05

    Snap Peas

    Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (6)

    Another fun and tasty veggie that your feathered friend should try are snap peas. These are peas that are still in the pod, which can be eaten raw. They provide a satisfying crunch and an intense flavor that most birds enjoy. Plus, because of the edible pod, lots of birds end up making toys out of them as they dine—so don't discourage your pet from playing with his or her food!

    Continue to 5 of 5 below

  • 05 of 05

    Peppers

    Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (7)

    Another safe fresh favorite of many types of birds are peppers—and don't worry if they're the hot ones! Birds lack the taste sensors that we humans have to discern spicy flavors, so they have no problem chowing down on a jalapeno or a habanero now and then. Let your bird try one, chances are that he or she will love them.

The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Calcium, Phosphorus, and Vitamin D3 Imbalances. Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center

  2. Bird Nutrition.Avian and Animal

Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird (2024)

FAQs

Discover Which Vegetables You Can Feed to Your Pet Bird? ›

Try to get your bird to first eat table foods such as yams, carrots, and dark leafy vegetables. You can entice your bird by eating these items in front of them and making exaggerated sounds about how good it tastes.

What vegetables are good for pet birds? ›

Most birds love dark, leafy greens, zucchini and broccoli, as well as other vegetables such as squash, shredded carrots, snow peas, parsley, cucumbers and Romaine lettuce. Avoid avocado, onion and garlic, which can be harmful to them.

What vegetables do birds like the most? ›

Bright yellow, red, and orange vegetables and fruits, including bell peppers, broccoli, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, mango, papaya, and cantaloupe, all contain a great deal of vitamin A, which is a critical nutrient in a birds' diet.

What foods are good for birds? ›

Many types of birdseed are suitable for spring feeding, but you might also consider offering fruit for songbirds. (If you do use fruit, be sure to remove any leftover or spoiled pieces.) You can also offer crushed eggshells (rinsed and baked), which provide calcium for birds such as robins.

What fruits and vegetables can parakeets eat? ›

Some suggested food items include:
AppleCherries (not the pit)Pear
BananaCoconutPineapple
Beans (cooked) such as:CornPlum
chick peaCucumberPomegranate
kidneyDandelion leavesPotato
15 more rows

Is cucumber good for birds? ›

Yes, cucumbers are safe and can be a healthy snack for birds, offering hydration and nutrients. What Nutrients Do Cucumbers Provide For Birds?

Will birds eat tomatoes? ›

It's not always easy to keep birds, especially mockingbirds, from eating your ripening tomatoes. When you understand that birds occasionally eat these juicy fruits simply because they are thirsty, controlling this problem becomes a little easier.

Can birds eat popcorn? ›

Birds can eat popcorn, but it has to be plain. Never give them flavored or microwave popcorn. Offer these small treats with love and care. Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your time with your bird!

What fruit do birds like? ›

Berries and small fruits, including blueberries, raspberries, currants, blackberries, mulberries, beautyberries, serviceberries, sumac, holly, juniper, and viburnum are especially popular with many birds. Birds also enjoy other fruits such as oranges, plums, apples, grapes, cherries, crabapples, and prickly pear.

What food do birds not like? ›

But, the cheap filler seeds in economy mixes, such as wheat, cracked corn, milo, and oats, are not birds' favorite foods. These grains have less overall nutrition and only appeal to a limited number of bird species. They may even be tossed out of a feeder or left to spoil and rot.

What is birds' favorite food? ›

Favorite Foods: Black oil sunflower, striped sunflower, sunflower hearts & chips, millet, safflower, cracked corn, peanuts, milo, mealworms, fruit, and suet.

Can birds eat lettuce? ›

Spinach and other types of leafy green vegetables such as romaine lettuce and kale are also wonderful additions to any pet bird's healthy diet. 2 Not only do most birds love to eat these healthy veggies, but they are also full of nutrients and antioxidants that can boost your bird's immune system.

What vegetables can birds not eat? ›

Onions and garlic

Onions contain sulfur compounds that, when chewed, can irritate the lining of a bird's mouth, esophagus, or crop, causing ulcers, and can induce rupture of red blood cells resulting in anemia. Garlic contains allicin, another chemical that can cause anemia and weakness in birds.

Can birds eat carrots? ›

Can Birds Eat Carrots? Carrots are great for supporting your bird's eye health. These crunchy, nutrition-packed veggies are great for helping your bird exercise their jaw. Carrots are best offered raw when washed and peeled.

Do birds like cantaloupe? ›

A variety of melons are appropriate for birds. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew are all good options. When offering your bird melon, make sure it is cut into small pieces. Melons have a high water content so take care to offer to birds in moderation during breeding and molting periods.

Can you feed wild birds vegetables? ›

Vegetables: Birds eat buds and other vegetables in limited amounts. Vegetables such as lettuce and spinach are popular foods for cage birds, but I doubt backyard birds would take them if offered. A few sparrows and finches may take a bite, but veggies will dry before they are consumed.

What are you not supposed to feed birds? ›

Birding experts Kenn and Kimberly Kaufman say, “We discourage people from feeding bread to birds, as there are far too many potential risks. If moldy, bread can be dangerous to birds. Bread gets moldy quickly, and mold can pose a number of health problems for birds.

What can I feed birds if I don't have bird food? ›

Other bird seed alternatives to offer to birds include fruit and vegetable seeds, dried fruits, peanut butter and/or jelly, apples, pears, nuts, and unbuttered popcorn.

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