Food

There are many types of food available for all the different types of pet birds. Most domestic bird food will have the necessary components of a balanced diet for the type of bird it was designed for. Many individual types of bird seed, like canary seed or safflower seed, can also be purchased.

Food Types For Pet Birds

* Seed Mixtures: Bird feed mixes consist of a mixture of seeds, formulated foods, nuts and dried fruits, some supplements, and usually additional vitamins. Bird mixes are suitable but should be combined with additional supplements.

* Pellets: Pelleted or extruded manufactured food diets provide a good nutritional base, containing all the necessary minerals and vitamins, so additional vitamins are not required. However, formulated diets lack phytonutrients that boost the immune system which are found in vegetables, fruits, grains, and seeds. Birds love variety and offering supplements can help provide the phytonutrients and help offset boredom.

* Seed Only Diets: Seed only diets offer much more variety but requires additional vitamin and calcium supplements. Like humans birds need not only nutritional requirements met but also variety for psychological enrichment. All seeds contain protein so to provide a balanced diet, minerals, amino acid, vitamins and trace elements can be added as a supplement.

* Softbill Diets: Mynah's and Toucan's are types of pet birds that will eat softbill food. Lories and Lorikeets eat pollens and nectars. For more species specific information go to the bird page.

Supplements

* Vegetables, Greens, and Fruits: Do not feed avocado as it may be toxic to birds! Domestic Birds love all types of fruits such as apples, pears, plums, cherries, grapes, oranges, bananas, mangos, papayas, and even berries such as strawberries and blueberries. Vegetables are also good supplements such as carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, many garden vegetables, and even dandelions and chickweed.

* Protein Supplements: Egg food is a great source of supplemental protein.

* Mineral Supplements: Cuttlebone and calcium blocks will also provide necessary minerals for maintaining your birds health. Oyster shells, and other natural minerals can be added to regular grit.

* Grit: Grit is an aid to digestion for birds that eat seeds unshelled. This applies especially to birds such as pigeons and doves that eat their seed whole. It is an essential to aid in digestion to seeds eaten unshelled as these birds use it in their crop to grind the seed. Grit also contains valuable minerals and trace elements.