Diet Supplementation with Table Foods

That people should share some of their food with their pet bird seems natural. Sharing food can help build a stronger bond between the bird and his owner and can be a happy experience for the bird.

The question immediately arises as to which foods are harmful to birds. The answer is simple-birds can eat any wholesome food. Pet birds digest table foods well, so they can eat the same foods found on our table.

Your bird can eat any wholesome food.

Some precautions should be taken. Birds' gastro-intestinal tracts are designed to handle compact, concentrated foods such as-meats, fish, cheese, eggs, bakery goods, cereals, seeds, nuts, peanut butter and some vegetables like peas, beans, lentils, and potatoes.

Biting into a succulent food seems a delightful pleasure to a bird. The freshness and the flavor of greens and raw fruits and vegetables hold a special appeal. Many birds would prefer these as a large part of their daily diet and even "hold out" for these foods rather than eat their regular diets.

The moisture content of fresh greens and raw fruits is 75-95%. With water being the overwhelming component these foods are bulky. They also are especially low in proteins and calories. The combination of bulkiness and minor nutritional value suggest that these foods be only a small part of the total diet.

Another Precaution
Birds sometimes can develop habits similar to humans. A taste of some foods can delight them so much that they begin to enjoy eating just because they like the flavor. As you know, a diet based on taste appeal alone ends in tragedy.

Birds are best off eating 80% of their diet as a manufactured balanced food, and only 15-20% as treats, bakery goods, cereals, nuts, fruits, greens, vegetables, meat, fish or dairy products.

Washing Food
Fruits and vegetables should be washed before giving them to your bird. It only takes a small amount of insecticide, herbicide or fungicide to be toxic.

Food Danger-Moldy Foods
Unexplained sickness and death in birds may likely be a result of food contaminated with the toxins from fungi. Mold growing on food under favorable environmental conditions can produce harmful compounds. Poisoning occurs when these foods are eaten. Birds may be one of the most susceptible animals to these noxious products.