Feeding Meyer's Parrots

General Information

Knowledge of bird nutrition is constantly evolving, both from heightened awareness of the importance of nutrition and from increased research into birds’ different needs.

As with all other animals, birds need a proper balance of carbohydrates, proteins, fat, vitamins, minerals and water. Different species of birds often require different foods.

Should I be concerned about what my Meyer’s parrot eats?

Proper nutrition is commonly neglected but critically important for pet birds. You should discuss your parrot's nutritional needs with your avian veterinarian. Too often, owners assume they are feeding a proper diet to their parrot when, in fact, they are not. 

Poor nutrition is a common reason for many health problems in birds. A birds’ health depends on how well they are fed, so it is essential that bird owners are educated about what to feed their birds. Bird owners should stay in contact with their avian veterinarian to stay current on their birds’ nutritional needs.

What do wild Meyer's parrots eat?

Meyer’s parrots are found in woodlands and savannas in Africa. They consume a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and some vegetation in the wild. Occasionally, wild Meyer's parrots feed on grain crops.

What should I feed my Meyer’s parrot?

Like other types of parrots, Meyer’s parrots need to eat a balanced diet to stay healthy.

Seeds

Wild Meyer's parrots eat a great variety of seed types as different plants come into season. Commercially available seed and nut mixes generally contain 2–5 different kinds of seeds. However, the seeds tend to be high-fat and nutrient deficient and do not include the same kinds of seeds that wild birds eat. Often, these seed and nut mixes are fed as the only source of food, which can lead to serious health problems and potentially a shortened lifespan.

When offered a mixture of seeds, Meyer's parrots tend to selectively eat only 1 or 2 of their favorite types of seeds and nuts, often peanuts and sunflower seeds. However, these seeds are particularly high in fat and deficient in calcium, vitamin A, and other nutrients. This often leads to malnutrition and potential health problems.

Seeds are highly palatable and preferentially sought after, but they are nutritionally deficient. Seeds should only be included as a very small part of a balanced diet and should never be the entire diet. In addition, only one type of nut should be offered daily as their high fat content can contribute to high blood cholesterol and the deposition of cholesterol in arteries, referred to as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can predispose birds to strokes and heart attacks. If you gradually offer fewer seeds in favor of more nutritionally balanced items, your bird will hopefully start eating other food items.

Pelleted Diets

Several types of commercially formulated pelleted diets come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes and have been developed to meet the greater portion of a bird’s nutritional needs. Pellets are the ideal diet for most birds. Seed-eating birds should be slowly weaned off seeds as they transition to pelleted diets. Ideally, pellets should represent a minimum of 60%-70% of the bird's diet. Mature parrots raised on seed diets may be particularly difficult to convert to a pelleted diet. Hand-raised babies are generally the easiest to start on a pelleted diet.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits, vegetables, and greens should account for approximately 20%–40% of the daily diet. Pale vegetables with high water composition, such as iceberg lettuce and celery, offer very little nutritional value and should not be offered. Avocado, onions, and apple seeds are reported to be toxic and should never be fed to a bird.

Fruits and vegetables must be washed thoroughly to remove chemicals and harmful bacteria before feeding. They should be cut into small pieces appropriate to the size of the bird. It is not necessary to take the skin off. Fruits and vegetables should be offered in a separate dish. Fruits are high in water content and natural sugar, so they should be fed in limited quantities. If your bird appears to develop a particular fancy for one food item, reduce the volume of this food or stop feeding it temporarily to encourage the bird to eat other foods.

Water

Fresh clean water must always be available. Depending on the quality of your tap water, you might consider using bottled water. Dishes must be cleaned thoroughly every day with soap and water.

How do I convert my bird to a pelleted diet?

Converting seed-eating birds to a formulated diet is not always easy. Initially, birds may not recognize pellets as food. Birds should be offered pellets in a bowl separate from any other food, first thing in the morning, when they are most hungry. If they do not eat them right way, birds may be slowly weaned off seeds over a period of a few weeks, while pellets are constantly available in a separate dish. Pellets and seed may be mixed together, as birds will simply pick out the seeds that they like while being introduced to the look and smell of the pelleted diet.

It may take days, weeks, or even months to modify a bird's diet. Pelleted food may be crushed up into a powder and sprinkled over moist table food to get a bird to taste the pellets. Gradually, pellets may be crushed less fine and mixed with smaller amounts of table food until the table food is no longer needed to get the bird to eat pellets. Birds should be weighed at least once a week while they are converting to a pelleted diet to ensure that they are not losing large amounts of weight.

Converting a parrot to a predominantly pelleted diet can be a stressful time for both you and your bird. Consult your avian veterinarian if you encounter any problems with this transition or with the health of your bird

Can I feed my Meyer’s parrot people food?

As a rule, any wholesome, nutritious food, like fruits and vegetables, that you and your family eat, your bird can also eat, but in small quantities. Fruit should not be more than 10% of your Meyer’s parrot’s daily intake. Follow the general guidelines discussed above. Occasionally, some birds enjoy a very tiny amount of lean cooked meat, fish, egg or cheese.

"Fruit should not be more than 10% of your Meyer’s parrot’s daily intake."

Dairy products should be consumed in moderation, as birds are lactose-intolerant. Processed foods like cookies, crackers, or chips are not nutritional treats and should be avoided. Chocolate, products containing caffeine (coffee, tea, soda), and alcoholic beverages should never be offered to your parrot.

Will my bird have any different needs throughout its life?

Birds that are extremely young, stressed, injured, laying eggs, or raising young may have certain special nutritional requirements. There are specially formulated pelleted foods available for birds with specific nutritional needs. Consult your avian veterinarian regarding these situations.

Does my bird need extra vitamins, minerals or amino acids?

Your veterinarian can help you assess your bird's diet and its particular needs. In general, birds eating pellets and consuming a moderate percentage of fresh vegetables may not need supplements. 

Specific vitamins or minerals may be more important at various times during a bird's life. Conditions such as egg laying may require calcium supplementation. Calcium supplements are available if your parrot is determined to be deficient.

Powdered supplements used on top of vegetables or fruit are often regarded as more stable than water additives. Placing these powders on seeds or dried foods is of little value since it will ultimately end up on the bottom of the food dish and not in the bird.

Does my bird need gravel or grit?

Controversy exists over the need for gravel. Previously, it was believed that grit was necessary for the mechanical breakdown of food in the gizzard to aid digestion. This is true for birds, like pigeons and doves, that ingest seeds whole, shell, and all. However, many birds, including Meyer's parrots, remove the shell before ingesting the seed kernel. Birds that eat this way do not need grit in their diet. 

Some birds will have problems if grit is overeaten. Grit may also be a source of zinc toxicity.

What pointers should I remember about feeding my Meyer’s parrot?

• Always monitor the amount of food eaten every day by each bird, especially if birds are housed together.
• Offer fresh water every day.
• Offer fresh fruits and vegetables every day.
• Clean all food and water dishes daily.
• If a bird rejects a food one day, it may accept it another day. Keep trying!

Some suggested food items include: