Top 5 Fun Fruits and Vegetables
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I am often asked what are some healthy fruits and vegetables to feed a bird. Healthy foods are always the goal, but if your bird won't touch them, well, a 'bird's gonna do what a bird's gonna do. I have chosen my birds' top 5 favorite healthy foods for some fun and healthy eating. All it sometimes takes is one new veggie or fruit piece to start your bird on a healthier diet.
Carrots and Carrot Tops
One of my birds' favorites are carrot tops and carrots. Carrots and carrot tops are excellent sources of Vitamin A for your bird. All of my birds, from the smallest finches to the largest Macaw, have fun while they eat these. I rinse the carrot tops and do not dry them. I then weave the green tops through the bars of a cage for the small birds who love munching, shredding, and enjoying the wet greenery. An added bonus of feeding carrot tops is that if you are growing them yourself in a large flower pot or your garden plot, clipping the carrot tops only encourages them to continue producing more carrot tops. That's a win-win.
Watermelon
Watermelon is a yummy superfood that you may not have thought of for your bird. Most people think of watermelon as a food that is mostly water. That is true making it a good hydration food as well. This refreshing fruit is also loaded with vitamins A, B6, C, and other good nutrients. It's low-fat fruit, and so very healthy. Larger birds can even enjoy watermelon seeds, and some will love the meat of the watermelon close to the rind as much as the juicy red center. Try small pieces for small birds; you can even float a chunk in a water dish to capture your bird's curiosity. Try freezing some watermelon cubes in an ice cube tray for larger birds and place the frozen cubes in their water dish. Watch the fun begin. (Don't forget to give clean water after the snack.)
   Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is another healthy summer fruit. Cantaloupe is high in Vitamins A and C, and when ripe, this fruit is sweet, juicy, and smells so good too. Cut into sections or chunks and give it a try. Cantaloupe is also very good for extra hydration so don't be surprised if your bird's poop is a little watery afterwards. Some of my birds love the seeds as well as the fleshy fruit.
Squash
Summer squash can be a fun food as well. I prefer the yellow summer squash which is an easy vegetable to grow or find at my local Farmers Market. Chunks and slices are loved by my larger parrots, but even the small birds love picking out the squash seeds. Sometimes they eat the squash seeds, and sometimes they just play with them. They are however being exposed to a variety of healthy foods that hopefully they will eat and enjoy some of the time. After all, playing with your food when you are a parrot is highly recommended sometimes. Squash is a great source of Vitamin C for your bird, as well as containing many other health benefits.Â
Bell Peppers
Another favorite with my birds is a bell pepper. Any and all colors of peppers are enjoyed. Some of my birds prefer one color over another, so it's easy to mix and match. Bell peppers are high in Vitamin C, which is a natural immune booster for birds. Bell peppers are easy to grow in a large garden pot, so you know you're harvesting them naturally and organically. Small peppers can be given to large birds whole, or larger peppers can be cut into sections for smaller birds. My Cockatoo loves tearing into a whole pepper, thoroughly enjoying the seeds inside. I'm not sure how much of the pepper she actually ingests, but she has a great time destroying the pepper and its contents so hopefully she enjoys some of the pepper as well.
Try making a fun kabob with some squash slices or chunks, some watermelon chunks, and carrot slices, or any combination of fresh fruits and vegetables your bird likes. Weave some carrot tops in the cage bars for foraging and fun.
The above are most of my birds' Top 5 Picks for fun eating (and playing). However, Sofie Quaker, Shasta Amazon, and Cosmo Macaw, (shown below), have their own favorites too. There are so many healthy fruits and vegetables for you to try with your bird. Not only are you providing something healthy, but also something that can be a fun enrichment for your bird.
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