What Healthy and Tasty Treats Do Birds Love? (2024)

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.

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Updated on 02/17/22

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

What Healthy and Tasty Treats Do Birds Love? (2)

Sharing a meal with your bird can be a wonderful bonding experience, but did you know that it can also benefit your pet's health?

Many bird diets lack certain vitamins and minerals that birds need, which can lead to a host of serious health conditions.

Feeding your bird a healthy diet does not have to be costly or time-consuming. When you feel like your bird deserves a special treat, try serving up one of these healthy and easy options that are packed with taste as well as beneficial nutrients.

What Healthy and Tasty Treats Do Birds Love? (3)

01 of 09
Fruit
Mango, pomegranate, bananas,cantaloupe, or apples: It's your choice, and it's also about what your birds prefer. Just about any fruit imaginable is good for your bird's diet. Full of taste and nutritional value, fruits are a wonderful source of vitamins, and these choices are a favorite among the vast majority of pet birds.
Warning
As with any fresh food you offer your bird, remove and discard any leftovers a couple of hours after serving. This prevents bacteria growth inside of your pet's cage. Take it easy on the grapes, however. They contain a lot of sugar.
See Also
What Smells Do Birds Hate? [9 Key Bird Repellents] - Birdwatching Buzz Black Pepper: Here's How To Use It To Naturally Repel Mice - Pest Pointers Cinnamon – Lafeber® Pet Birds Wild Birds Unlimited - Nature Shop
02 of 09
Beans
Beans are a wonderful source of vegetable protein, and an outstanding source of fiber for your companion bird which helps keep its digestive system running smoothly.Try boiling a 15-bean soup mix without any seasoning. Allow the beans to cool, and then offer a scoop to your bird. The chances are that this will become a fast favorite with your little friend.
Warning
Remember to never serve raw beans to your companion bird as they can be toxicunless cooked.
03 of 09
Sprouts
Do you like alfalfa sprouts on your salad? Your bird may like them too. Learning tosafely sprout in your kitchen is not difficult at all! Be sure to thoroughly wash any sprouts that you offer your bird. Some may have come into contact with pesticides in their journey from the garden to your local supermarket, and you don't want to pass these toxins on to your pet. Growing your own sprouts is a healthy way to give live, raw nutrition to your flock.
04 of 09
Vegetables
Wild birds feast on an amazing variety of vegetables in their natural habitats, so it only makes sense that fresh veggies are good for companion birdsas well. Try offering your pet some thoroughly washed and rinsed broccoli, yellow squash, orgreens next time you serve these veggies in your home. Other avian favorites include carrots, kale, root vegetables, and peas.
Continue to 5 of 9 below.
05 of 09
Pasta
No matter whether it's cooked or uncooked, birds love pasta. The good thing is, it's full of energy-enhancing carbohydrates! Try boiling some bowtie pasta with vegetables and serving it to your bird when cool. If your pet prefers its pasta crunchy, fill a few raw macaroni noodles with nut butter for a fun and tasty snack.
06 of 09
Popcorn
Believe it or not, many pet birds enjoy snacking on popcorn. You can serve your bird either popped or unpopped kernels. If you choose to serve the popcorn unpopped, boil the kernels for a bit in plain water to soften the tough hulls. If you desire, you can pop the kernels for your bird using a very small amount of pure coconut.
Warning
Be sure never to give your bird microwaved popcorn. These varieties are extremely high in fat and salt, which can be harmful to your pet's health.
07 of 09
Cereal or Grains
Grain farmers often complain when flocks of wild birds descend on their crops to feast. A hungry group of birds can strip a field of grain in no time. Grains are nutritious and very good for birds. Theyoffer nutritional values that some other foods cannot. Whole grains are an excellent source of vital protein, not to mention beneficial carbohydrates. Try serving your bird oats, quinoa, orGrain Bake, and watch the feeding frenzy begin!
08 of 09
Nuts
Nuts are extremely healthy for your companion bird. Walnuts, in particular, have many nutritional features not found in other nuts. They're are also very tasty, and many birds appreciate them as special treats or even natural foraging toys. Many birds will spend time exercising their beak and jaw muscles on the shells of some varieties, trying to pry them open. If they find one they simply cannot open, give them a hand and use a nutcracker to assist in cracking them.
Tip
Always make sure that any nuts that you serve your bird are clean and unsalted—certain types of fungi can grow on nuts that aren't clean. Nuts can be frozen to preserve freshness over the long term.
Continue to 9 of 9 below.
09 of 09
Peppers
Although many humans have trouble eating spicy peppers, birds can take the heat. It seems that our avian friends lack the taste receptors that pick up on a pepper's stinging bite, which makes them a favorite of birds around the world. Try giving your pet a nice fresh chili, banana, or jalapeno pepper and watch it chomp through it to get to the meat and seeds inside.

What Healthy and Tasty Treats Do Birds Love? (2024)

Fruit

Warning

Beans

Warning

Sprouts

Vegetables

Pasta

Popcorn

Warning

Cereal or Grains

Nuts

Tip

Peppers