If treats motivate your bird, take cues
from Mother Nature.
Learn how the right treats can be used to create a
naturally varied diet that also incorporates engaging
foraging activities.
Insight into Nutrition
Learning more
about the natural diet of your pet birds is a fun way
to discover new and interesting treat options. The
possibilities are endless. While many birds share
common diets, keep in mind that primary diets differ
greatly even among related birds. For example, did
you know parrots can be classified into several general
groups based on their diets?
| bird |
primary diet |
dietary classification |
| Military Macaw, Blue & gold Macaw, Red-faced Parrot |
Seeds, fruits, nuts, bark, roots, berries |
Florivore |
| Budgerigar, Cockatiel, Hyacinth Macaw |
Grains, seeds |
Granivore |
| Blue-throated Macaw, Green-winged Macaw |
Mostly fruit & flowers; some nuts & seeds |
Frugivore |
| Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Red-tailed Amazon |
Seeds, fruits, insects, invertebrates |
Omnivore |
| Lorikeet, Lory |
Nectar, pollen; some insects & seeds |
Nectarivore |
Put Nature to the Challenge
Selecting
the right treat is only the first step. To create a more
natural experience that burns off some extra calories,
add a foraging challenge. Consider the following
foraging ideas:
- Wrap treat inside a coffee filter or large lettuce leaf and
hang this parcel for your bird to forage.
- Hide the treat under large polished stones, wood, beads,
or shredded paper.
- Take a small piece of millet, fresh fruit, or vegetable and
weave it between the cage bars.
Remember, treats should be special events for your pet
bird. Keep treats at less than 10% of your daily rations.
Pet birds use less energy, so they need to eat fewer
calories or they will become overweight.
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