| What do parrots eat? All
any bird needs is seed, right? Not parrots. Although avian nutrition is
still a relatively young field, experts agree that parrots need more
than the box of seed you buy at the pet shop.
All
seed diets tend to be high in fat and deficient in vitamin A, calcium
and protein. While your bird may appear to thrive on seed, eventually
the poor nutrition will cause serious health problems, which may include
liver disease, respiratory infections and even blindness.
So
what's on the well fed parrot's menu? Because the precise nutrition
needs of various species have yet to be established, experts are still
divided on the question.
Some
avian veterinarians advocate roughly 50% cooked grains such as rice and
oatmeal, 20% fresh fruits and 20% fresh vegetables, with the remainder
consisting of nuts and beans for protein.
Healthy
foods for your bird include corn on the cob, cooked pasta, plain
popcorn, cooked oatmeal, barley, wheat bread or unsweetened breakfast
cereals such as Shredded Wheat and Cheerios. Vegetables may include
fresh greens such as spinach and broccoli, cooked yams, squash, sprouts,
and carrots. Most birds love chopped fruits, such as apples, pears, plums, oranges and grapes, and bits of beef, chicken or fish.
In
general, most parrots can eat just about anything that's safe and
healthy for a human, as long as it doesn't contain caffeine or too much
fat, salt, or sugar.
What if my parrot gets sick?
A
good diet, a safe environment and plenty of rest will go a long way
toward keeping your parrot well. However, chances are the time will come
when your bird needs your help to recover from an illness or accidental
injury. Make sure you've found a good avian vet before you need one.
You'll also want to line up a good after hours emergency clinic for when
your regular vet's office is closed.
Common wisdom holds that birds, being prey animals, are more adept than other creatures at hiding illness
to avoid appearing vulnerable to predators. Whether true or not, it
pays to watch closely for any change in your parrot's behaviour in order
to nip illnesses in the bud. Once far along enough to be noticed,
respiratory infections in particular can kill quickly.
Do
not wait even a day to see if your bird's condition improves. If your
parrot seems ill, call your vet immediately and follow his or her
instructions.
The vet probably will want to see your bird right away.
Sick parrots sit fluffed and listless on their perches or, if an illness
has progressed to a serious stage, on the bottom of the cage. A parrot
with pneumonia or other serious condition may make a barely audible
wheezing sound when it breathes, sneeze frequently, or have a nasal
discharge. Its singing or speaking voice may sound different.
Droppings,
normally target shaped and consisting of firm white and dark green parts
(urine and fecal matter) may be consistently runny or a different
colour. An occasionally runny dropping after a fright or stressful event
is normal.
Sick
or injured parrots should be kept in a warm place between 78 and 85
degrees Fahrenheit. Incubators make good infirmaries but most are
expensive, priced at well over £200. Another option is to make your own
hospital cage out of plywood, with a plexiglass front and a false bottom
equipped with two or three light bulbs. Experiment with air holes and
bulbs until you achieve the desired temperature.
For
a quick hospital cage, train an adjustable lamp over your bird's
covered cage, or place a heating pad against one side of the cage and encase it and the
entire cage in plastic wrap. Seal loosely along the bottom with towels
and cut flaps in the plastic on the front of the cage for fresh air and
access to the bird and food cups. Adjust the wrap as needed to maintain
the desired temperature.
Place a thermometer inside your
hospital cage so you can monitor the temperature and adjust as
necessary. If your bird gets too warm, he will hold his wings apart from
his body, open his beak to pant, or both. Always make sure your bird
has plenty of food and water to drink in his hospital cage. If he is
very weak, you may want to remove perches so he doesn't fall and injure
himself.
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