What Can African Greys Not Eat?
African grey parrots require a variety of foods in their daily diet. A seed-only diet harms their health, as they lack beta-carotene and calcium. A combination of pellets, quality seeds, fruits, and vegetables is best for them. However, some vegetables can be harmful to them if eaten in large quantities.
Avocados
Avocados contain a toxin called persin that can be deadly to parrots. It is a glycoalkaloid that causes fluids to build up around a bird’s organs and lead to respiratory problems and heart trouble. Eggplants (called aubergines in the UK) also contain persin, so do not offer them to your African grey. Chocolate, which contains theobromine, is also toxic to birds and can cause heart problems, nervous system issues, and seizures. Caffeine and sugar can also be harmful to avian pets.
African greys love to bathe and will enjoy a warm, shallow bath that is size-appropriate for them. Regular bathing is important because it softens the general toxins that can build up on the feathers and skin. The avian health experts at VCA Animal Hospitals recommend a diet that includes pellets, fresh fruit and vegetables, and a small amount of seeds and nuts. They also suggest a healthy amount of fat to support your Grey’s well-being and the absorption of important vitamins.
Rhubarb
African greys enjoy a variety of foods in their native environment, including cola plant berries and oil palm nuts. Despite this, they are unlikely to have access to these items in captivity, which means that they must get the bulk of their nutrition from bird pellets and fresh produce and seeds.
Providing these staples is important, but it is also crucial to know which foods are off limits. These items can lead to serious health issues and even death in birds, so keeping them out of your feathered friend’s reach is a smart move.
The rhubarb plant contains calcium oxalate, which can prevent the body from absorbing essential minerals. Feeding oxalate-containing plants to your parrot can lead to stomach upset, kidney problems and low blood calcium levels, which could damage your friend’s organs. In addition, oxalate can interfere with enzymes in the body that are responsible for breaking down proteins. To be safe, only eat the stalks of rhubarb and leave the leaves out.
Alcohol
African grey parrots are intelligent and engaging pets, but they can be loud and require a substantial time commitment. They can also have unique dietary requirements. If they don’t get the proper diet, they may experience health problems and even death.
Chocolate and caffeinated products contain theobromine, which is toxic to parrots. They can cause dark feces, vomiting, heart issues, and seizures in birds.
Alcohol is not safe for any pet, including parrots. Even small amounts can lead to depression, lack of coordination, vomiting, and death from flying accidents.
In addition to fresh fruits and vegetables, African greys should be offered a quality pellet diet as their base staple and occasional treats, seeds, nuts, and nutritional supplements. All foods should be free of mold, and it’s important to always have a source of clean, dechlorinated water available for them. A proper diet can help ensure that your African grey lives a long and happy life.
Seeds
The seed-only diets fed in captivity can harm African greys, according to avian veterinarian Laura Wade. A basic parrot diet should include pellets formulated for parrots along with a range of vegetables and fruits. The fruits should be limited to 10% of the diet because of their high sugar content. Suitable veggies include broccoli, kale, collard greens and leaf lettuce. Steaming vegetables improves nutrient availability and aids digestion. Sweet potatoes, carrots and butternut squash provide beta-carotene. The best fruit options include pineapples, bananas and tangerines.
Cooked beans can add protein, vitamin B and minerals to a bird’s diet. However, avoid raw beans because they contain hemagglutinin, which can cause red blood cell clumping and is toxic to avian species.
Try Roudybush’s Classic Nutri-Berry food to add fruits, vegetables and seeds to your bird’s diet. It is easy to prepare, contains a balanced combination of pellets and seeds and includes essential vitamins, minerals, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and chelated minerals.