Bird Nutrition Information

Perhaps the most important insurance of a healthy, long life for your bird is feeding it a nutritionally sufficient diet. Many pet birds die at a young age from malnutrition or from diseases that are secondary to malnutrition.

Many types of birds, especially parrots, are foraging animals in the wild. These birds' diet includes fruits, seeds, insects and whatever else is available find. Birds thrive on a variety of foods, and need to get their nutrition from different food groups. Feeding pet birds an all-seed diet is neither natural nor nutritious.

Feeding pet birds an all-seed diet is actually a tradition, started years ago when wild birds were first caught and imported to our country. At the time there was somewhat a lack of information regarding the nutritional requirements of birds. Birds, particularly, have a high metabolic rate. They require high levels of calories and an inadequate diet they will quickly develop malnutrition and a compromised health status. Seeds are a good compact source of calories, however they are very high in fat, and low in calcium, protein and any vitamins.

Birds are similar to people in that foods that are healthy for a human and probably also good for a bird. You can offer whole grains and grain products, such as whole wheat bread, pretzels and pasta. Dairy and poultry products are also excellent for birds, being a lean source of protein. Many birds love yogurt, cheese, eggs and chicken, as well as other meat. For smaller birds, or those with more vegetarian taste, beans and legumes, and nuts are just as excellent of a protein sources. Although, fruits and vegetables are a must for a balanced diet. These foods provide essential vitamins, and birds love the way they taste. There are some exceptions, as certain fruits, vegetables, and other kinds of food can be toxic. For example, apple seeds, avocado, chocolate, caffeine, mushrooms, and tomato leaves can be poisonous and even deathly for your birds, no matter what their size.

Birds can be somewhat cautious and picky when offered new foods. Remember, birds are creatures of habit and are highly suspicious of new foods. If you have been feeding your bird the same foods for an extended length of time, it is only natural that they will be weary of new foods. Try to offer your bird fresh foods or homemade treats twice a day for about one hour at each feeding. Be careful because fresh food will spoil quickly and if left in the cage, and could easily develop bacteria.

Different species of birds usually have similar nutritional needs. Thus, it is possible to generalize most of the recipes as suitable for all birds. Bird treat recipes that are only suitable for larger birds are so because of the size of the treat, or other physical characteristic. If you want to try a bird treat recipe, but have a smaller bird, you can safely serve the recipe to your parakeet by crushing, breaking or chopping the finished treat in appropriate sized pieces.

Enjoy these bird treat recipes!

Bird Treat Recipes

Birdie Bagel Bites

Birdie Birthday Cake

Strawberry Pellet Bread

Birdie Bagel Bites

"There a quick and easy, no bake recipe that your bird is sure to love! The recipe is simple enough to allow you to make as little or a much as you need, so you won’t get stuck with a monster sized batch of goodies, for one tiny bird. It's a bit messy, but so easy and so tasty!"

Ingredients:
1 whole wheat bagel
peanut butter, as needed
commercially prepared pet bird seed mixture
raisins, as needed

Instructions:

1. With a knife, cut the bagel into appropriate-sized pieces for your bird. You can make as many of these as you would like.
2. Spread peanut butter in a thin layer over all surfaces of the bagel.
3. Then dip the bagel piece in the seeds. Roll it around until all the pieces are coated well with seeds, and the bagel is no longer sticky.
4. Set the coated bagel piece aside. Repeat with the remaining bagel pieces, making as many as desired.
5. Stick a raisin or two onto the center of each bagel bite. The bagel bites are ready to be served immediately, or they can be refrigerated briefly, until ready to serve. Yield varies.

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Birdie Birthday Cake

"This festive cake recipe can be used for any special occasion that you celebrate with your bird. The recipe will make a small cake, which should yield many servings for a small bird, and a few servings for larger birds. You may also wish to try a piece yourself, the recipe contains ingredients which are all 'people's grade' and the sweet and fruity flavor of the cake appeals to people as well as pets."

Ingredients:
1/2 cup Cheerios® or Kix® cereal (or similar)
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 egg
strawberries, as needed

Instructions:

1. Add the Cheerios® or Kix® cereal to a large plastic Ziploc® Bag. Then use a rolling pin to crush the cereal into coarse powder. When all the cereal has been reduced to crumbs, pour it into a small mixing bowl.
2. Add the peanut butter, and egg. Mix well, using an electric blender to thoroughly combine all the ingredients until smooth and consistent.
3. Transfer the mixture to a very small bowl, such as a cereal or dessert bowl. Make sure you use a microwave safe bowl. Then place the bowl into the microwave and cook it for about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes.
4. Remove the bowl from the microwave. It will be slightly soft, but if it seems too gooey, place it into the microwave for about 10-20 seconds more.
5. Carefully remove the cake form the cereal bowl and invert it onto a plate. Check to see the cake is not gooey or watery. If it is, microwave it for another 10-20 seconds.
6. Place a handful or so of fresh strawberries in an individual sized bowl. Then mash the strawberries into a paste using a large spoon or other utensil. A few chunks are okay.
7. Frost the cake with the mashed strawberry. Decorate it, if desired, using small pieces of cut fruit, pieces of bird food such as pellets, chopped nuts, etc. Or serve the cake plain. To serve, simply cut off a slice appropriate to your bird’s size. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Makes 1 small cake.
   

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Strawberry Pellet Bread

"This bread is so easy to make it's not even funny. Plus any bird, specially parakeets and budgies will love it!"

Ingredients:
3 cups pulverized pellets (food processor is great for this)
1 cup of strawberry yogurt
1 cup of strawberry jam
1 cup of honey
2 eggs
1 package Bisquick biscuit mix

Instructions:

1. Mix well. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.

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Submit your own bird treat recipes!