Bird Seed is Bird Junk Food
By Teresa Ambord
Pet birds are a lot like their owners. Though many bird owners feed their birds a seed-only or seed-mostly diet, the fact is, birds like variety, just like we do. And more importantly, they need it.
Birdseed is Bird Junk Food
Bird do love seeds. But seeds are high in fat, especially the beloved sunflower seeds. Seeds are very tasty and fatty, and, well, that’s about all. Birds in the wild will visit your birdseed feeders, and they’ll find seeds on their own because they love them. But they are smart enough to know that to be healthy, they have to find vitamins and minerals as well. So most of their nutrition comes from berries, nuts, fruits, and bugs.
Captive birds often are expected to live mostly on seeds, and in the long run, that can cause a breakdown of health. The fact is, birds like most of the things we like. Experts say that what is good for us, is good for our birds. And what’s bad for us, is bad for birds.
What They Love
Your bird may love a bit of cheese, some pasta, a few pea pods, and maybe some small pieces of fruit on a kebab. They need protein, fats, minerals, vitamins, and carbohydrates. They get excited about variety, in textures, colors, and tastes.
However, Here’s a List of People-Foods to Avoid
Anything heavily salted, sweet, or fatty.
And specifically avoid these foods:
- Chocolate
- avocado
- alcohol
- caffeine
- garlic
- onion
- rhubarb
- mayonnaise
- milk
- uncooked or processed meats
- some fruit seeds and pits
Pellets
Pellets come highly recommended, especially if supplemented by fresh fruit and vegetables, and a little bit of seed. Pellets are nutritionally complete. Your veterinarian can tell you which pellet is best for your particular species of bird.
Some birds that have been mostly seed fed may have trouble making the transition from seeds to pellets. Some experts recommend making the switch this way: Put seed in the birdcage for about two hours, usually in the evening. Then take it away and put only pellets in their food dish for the next 22 hours. As the bird gradually makes the change to pellets, then you can offer seeds only every other evening. But first, make certain your bird really is eating the pellets. The longer the bird has been mostly seed fed, the harder it will be for them to change.
If the Bird is Reluctant to Try New Foods…
Try cutting fruits and veggies into tiny, seed size pieces and mixing them in with his seeds. It won’t hurt him to be a little hungry. Hunger is a powerful motivator and should prompt him to try new things. But don’t take that too far since birds need to eat every day.
And Don’t Forget…
Fresh water is just as important as healthy food. If the water dish isn’t cleaned regularly (like in the dishwasher) it can grow bacteria and mold.
Just like any other pet, birds need regular checkups to ensure they are in good health. But feeding them a good diet with lots of variety should put you and your bird way ahead of the curve.
