To Peel or Not To Peel: Parrots and Natural Living Foods

There are many reasons why a parrot does not eat a particular fruit or vegetable. When birds are on a proper diet, they instinctively know which vitamins and minerals their body requires. A good example is a bird eating a kale stem and then ripping apart the leaves. Kale, broccoli, and mustard greens are just a few of the vegetables that have increased nutritional values in the stem. Some root vegetables, like dandelions, also have a combined nutritional value. The dandelion greens or leaves and root provide two sources of nutritional benefits.

There are several reasons why your bird may not eat that piece of papaya that you purchased especially for him.  Birds are uncannily aware when fruits are out of season.  If the fruit is not at the exact state of ripeness desired and needed by your bird, they’ll often leave the food untouched.

Keep the faith by continuing to offer the food! If once you do not succeed, try, try again!

Here’s a list of reasons your bird may refuse certain types of produce:

• Is the fruit ripened? Some birds do prefer some fruits just before they ripen, and some like them sweet and juicy. Our flock is known for squeezing orange slices and sipping up all the delicious juice.
• Is the fruit expired or out of season? Parrots instinctively know if the fruit is of good quality or not.
• Is your bird a "clean beak" bird? Your bird might be dying to try that sweet piece of Cantaloupe but he sees the juice is dripping down and he is thinking "Too messy for my taste." Yes, there are finicky eaters out there!
• Hot and Spicy. Does your bird love chili peppers? Try adding dried chili peppers to cooked sweet potatoes. This may encourage your feathered companion to taste test a healthy vegetable.
• Sweet and Tangy. Does your bird love tart apples? Shred up some Granny Smith Apples and sprinkle them over another fruit you want them to try. They love finding the surprise underneath the apples!
• For the Garlic Lover. Mince up some garlic and add it to your broccoli. Stand back and watch your bird enjoy it!
• Slice, Dice and Chunks. There are those little rascals who prefer their fruit or vegetables cut a certain way. Here are some tips on fitting the "cut" with your bird’s persona.
• Julienne: Great for birds who use their talons to eat.
• Chunks: For the hearty eaters.
• Diced: Ideal for those who like petite bites. Bite-size pieces are also helpful in producing less waste.
• Shredded: Nice alternative for those who might like a certain vegetable/fruit but are afraid to try it This shredding technique works great with carrots or apples.
• Warm vs. Cold. If your feathered friend does not enjoy a particular vegetable, try offering a steamed version. You can also puree it in the food processor till it has a "pudding" consistency. Parrots often enjoy a specific produce item served warm on a spoon. This method of feeding not only encourages your bird to eat, it is also quality time you can spend with your avian companion.

Some parrots have an extraordinarily sensitive beak, causing them to dislike warm foods. Observe your pet parrot closely and watch their eating habits. This will help you to understand the individual needs of your pet bird.

For whatever reasons, my own birds have had issues with certain foods. I’ve successfully introduced them to yams, butternut squash, acorn squash and zucchini using the “warm spoon” method. Being inventive is the secret to helping your feathered friend eat specific vegetables with high nutritional values.

Fun Tip: Include your bird in the preparation process of chopping your fruits and vegetables, keeping talons and beaks at a safe distance from the knife! Offer them a piece while you’re preparing their food.  You soon will see how excited they become in anticipation of the good things to come.

Clean your fruits and vegetables thoroughly to remove pesticides from the skin. Avicine (bird safe disinfectant and cleaner-available at www.greyfeathertoys.com) or grapefruit seed extract are two good products. Although I personally peel most fruits, I opt to leave a few items with the peel on. Birds have a natural ability to peel anything and everything because of the unique shape of their beaks. Most of the time, they just shred up the peel for the fun of it. Let them enjoy a slice of papaya with the seeds.

If there is a significant portion of the fruit or vegetable that is leftover, throw the unused portion in the food processor for later use.

Useful Tips for Birds and Humans:

• Crushed ice added to ground up fruit makes for a refreshing fruit shake! Try it with papaya, mango or pineapple.
• Leftover broccoli or carrots.
• Steam the produce with some fresh lemon juice and serve.
  Cook the broccoli or carrots. When they are tender, puree in the food processor. Add soy milk to thin out mixture and serve! Some birds enjoy the creamy texture created with soy milk.
• Grind up leftover fruits and vegetables and add them to your favorite birdie bread recipe!
• Try using fruits and vegetables which your family will also enjoy during your meals. It’s meal planning at its best for both bird and human.
• Fruity Oatmeal. Add a teaspoon of ground up papaya or apple to some warm oatmeal. Your bird will love it. (Note: Replace milk with either water or soy milk. Bird’s bodies cannot process the lactose in milk. Also be cautious of serving foods too hot. A bird’s crop can be burned if the temperature is too high.)

The secret to success is variety, variety, VARIETY! A variety of vegetables provides minerals that are not available in some fruits, making it extremely important for birds to have a good assortment of both. Variety not only contributes to the physical health of your bird; it also puts diversity in a bird’s day. Put yourself in their place--if you had to eat the same food day in and day out, it would become boring very quickly

Fruits are an essential part of the avian diet. Even though some fruits contain high water content, they excel in providing your avian companion with protein and carbohydrates, in addition to Vitamins A, C and B. Many fruits contain fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and natural fructose to support their energy level. The natural sugars in fruit are absorbed through the oral cavity providing an immediate energy boost and may aid in hydration.
Optimal health starts with a nutritionally enriched diet. We all need to realize the positive impact natural live foods can have on the lives of our feathered companions.

As printed in the Companion Parrot Quarterly
By Monica Gonzalez, published 8/26/01 rev. 2/28/05
© Grey Feather Toys, LLC™