Nutritional Choices for your Bird

Seeds
Deficiencies: Vitamins A, D3, Riboflavin, B12, and sometimes E. Minerals such as calcium, iodine, selenium, sodium and certain amino acids.

Excesses: Fats.

• Oil seeds (sunflower, safflower, hemp, flax, nyjer): very high protein (20%-30%), very high fat (30%-50%).
• Grains/cereals (millet, corn, wheat, oats, barley, rice): high carbohydrates (20%-30+%), moderate protein (8%-15%), low fat (2%-5%). Comments: Feeding excess seed can contribute to imbalance of calcium/phosphorous ratio, obesity, and other health problems.

Fruits
Deficiencies: Protein.

Excesses: Fats are high in coconut, papaya and palm fruits.

Comments: Mostly water, sugar and fiber. Too much can contribute to amino acid imbalance.

Nuts
Deficiencies: Some nuts lack sufficient vitamins.

Excesses: Fats.

• Peanuts, soybeans - high fat (20%-50%), high protein (25%-35%).
• Macadamia nuts - very high fat (73%-74%), moderate protein (7%-9%).

Comments: Feeding excess nuts can contribute to obesity, a common problem in birds.

Vegetables
Deficiencies: Protein, except legumes.

Excesses: Some vegetables are high in sugars (carrots, beets).

• Richly pigmented vegetables (carrots, beets, sweet potatoes) are generally higher in nutrient value than their paler counterparts. For example, peas, beans- low fat (1%-3%), high protein (20%-25%).
• Poorly pigmented vegetables such as iceberg lettuce and celery are mainly water and fiber.

Comments: Most are low in fat.

Commercial Diets

• Manufactured extruded (cooked) diets are an excellent combination of raw ingredients cooked at high temperature and pressure, killing most bacteria and making the diet very digestible and more palatable.
• Manufactured pelleted diets are similar to extruded diets in composition but cooked at lower temperatures and pressure.