Amazon Parrot Food You Can Trust
The Amazon Parrot
Colorful, lovable Amazon parrots brighten homes around the world. These winged natives of the New World are known for their big personalities. You can find Amazons flying over canopied forests throughout parts of South America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Most Amazons have green bodies speckled with brush strokes of color. Splashes of beautiful blue, red, lilac, yellow and white create unique patterns on individual birds. You are truly getting a one-of-a-kind creature when you bring an Amazon parrot into your world!
What should I know about what my amazon parrot eats?
The typical Amazon parrot loves to eat! Parrot owners can get into real trouble because the friendly, persuasive nature of this type of bird creates a big temptation to share food. In fact, Amazon parrots are famous for begging! The begging nature of your pet parrot will make having a formulated diet in place even more important. Some first-time bird owners fall into the seed trap. This can be dangerous for a number of reasons. Research released in 2018 shows that malnutrition is a primary cause of feather-damaging behaviors among parrots. In fact, research shows that diets rich in seeds and table food often create nutritional deficiencies. You can take a look at a summary of the findings here.
What exactly does my amazon parrot naturally eat?
It’s easy to let you mind wander to thoughts of what your gorgeous parrot would be nibbling on while soaring in its natural habitat somewhere in the tropics. The typical diet of an Amazon parrot in the wild consists of seeds, berries, nuts, fruits and vegetation. These parrots are often spotted in the wild hopping from branch to branch in search of nature’s treats. Providing your Amazon with some ladders and faux branches to jump on inside its cage can help to promote that branch-to-branch activity that would occur in the wild. However, it’s important to understand that your bird will never get the full range of activity that a wild bird would get. That’s precisely why you should focus on finding pet bird food that is formulated to complement the lifestyle of a non-wild bird.
The problem with an all-pellet diet
Veterinarians truly tried their best when they began recommending the all-pellet diet for parrots a few years back. Unfortunately, new findings have revealed that an all-pellet diet is very far from ideal. A one-size-fits-all pellet simply doesn’t deliver what an amazon parrot needs. It is so important to discuss the foraging instinct of amazon parrots in greater detail for a moment. One thing you will need to learn very early on about your new feathered friend is that stimulation is a big need. The foraging instinct plays a big role in keeping a parrot stimulated and satisfied.
Birds flourish when they are given the opportunity to pick through a variety of ingredients to explore what’s inside husks and wrappings. Readily available pellets prevent foraging because birds are forced to eat the same exact pellets at every meal. The dullness and lack of variety that go along with this diet go against everything that an amazon parrot would experience in its natural environment. Being unable to forage and play can result in some very serious behavioral problems. These problems will potentially test your sanity as you deal with an unruly, unsatisfied bird. This is precisely why an Amazon parrot diet that consists mostly of pellets is not recommended.
So why have pellets been recommended so often?
Pamela Clark, CPBC, CVT, explains:
“Many avian veterinarians believe that parrot owners should be encouraged to feed a 100% manufactured diet to their birds because the majority of owners are not capable of providing a good diet otherwise. I never fail to feed saddened when I encounter this ideology, for it essentially removes the benefit and privilege of choice from the parrot owner. In other words, the owner is encouraged to feed a pelleted diet, not because of strong conviction that the diet is optimal, but because it is perceived as the lesser of two evils.”
Pamela Clark, CPBC. CVT.
This view comes from manufacturers with a somewhat understandable view of the average consumer and of our chaotic schedules. Nearly 60% of domestic bird autopsies show malnutrition signs and only 12% of bird owners take their birds to the vet. Whether amazon parrot pellet food contributes to this, we cannot speculate. Parrot pellets are an easy fix for many people because it can keep some parts of nutrition going, but not fully.
What do I feed my amazon parrot?
Providing a good diet isn’t just a suggestion when it comes to your amazon parrot. This bird’s inclination toward obesity means that feeding your parrot properly is a duty. What do amazon parrots eat as part of a balanced diet? An amazon parrot should be provided with a high-quality bird mix that is designed for parrot-sized birds. In addition, fresh foods should be used to supplement a parrot’s diet. Fruits and leafy greens serve as perfect treats for amazon parrots.
Nuts, legumes, amino acids (proteins) and essential fatty acids (fats)
Your Amazon parrot needs protein and good fats. Amazons that get enough protein enjoy proper feather growth. What do Amazon parrots eat for protein? Your bird would probably be going after things like nuts, legumes and insects to get protein in the wild. However, you must remember that your bird would be working for those high-fat foods in the wild. It is so important to monitor fat consumption when looking out for your parrot’s health. You can give your Amazon a measured, controlled serving of protein with Cinnaspice Delight blend. This mix offers a nutty twist that actually helps to prevent issues like gout and vitamin toxicity in birds.
Carbohydrates for Amazon Parrots
It’s important to look at carbohydrates when selecting good food for birds. Amazons should not be getting their carbohydrates from people food. The fruits and vegetables that you provide for your Amazon parrot on a regular basis will deliver some of the carbohydrates that are needed. Whole grains can also provide some healthy carbohydrates. Be sure to wash any whole grains carefully before giving them to your bird to ensure that your bird won’t be ingesting pesticides and other contaminants. You should also do your best to only source organic whole grains for your bird. Did you know that we use a whole-grain base for our mixes? Our tasty mixes contain ingredients like organic quinoa, organic cracked wheat, organic couscous and organic hulled millet.
In Conclusion
Owning a beautiful Amazon parrot is a rewarding experience that allows you to hear the flutter of exotic wings right in your own home. Many people love the bragging rights that go along with owning a bird that is so capable of learning new words and tricks. Of course, all of this fun does require responsibility on your part. The big thing to remember when considering an Amazon as a pet is that the right diet can make all the difference. Do your best to avoid feeding your Amazon all-seed mixes. These options could deprive your bird of important nutrients and foraging opportunities. The good news is that you have some great options when it comes to providing your bird with fresh, delicious foods. In addition, you can get back to basics with Bird Street Bistro’s parrot-appropriate mixes that provide the nutrients Amazons need to thrive. We take pride in providing all-natural food options that birds actually love.
Always remember to consult your avian veterinarian to determine your bird’s individual dietary needs.
