This article is part of a new series on parrot nutrition, using information kindly provided by our sister organization, Phoenix Landing, in North Carolina. We hope this will help you make the best nutritional choices for your feathered friends.
Vitamin A is very important for your parrot!
The darker the flesh (not the skin) of the vegetable or fruit, the higher the carotene content. It is carotene that converts into vitamin A when metabolized by the digestive system. Veggies can be provided in their raw state, but are sometimes more digestible if cooked (steamed or baked). However, be aware that overcooking can destroy vitamin content.
Green Vegetable sources of Vitamin A
Dandelion greens, collard greens, mustard greens, turnip greens, kale, broccoli, water cress, chicory, parsley, green peppers, fennel, arugula, romaine, brussel sprouts, beet greens, cabbage, and alfalfa.
Yellow-Orange Vegetable sources of Vitamin A
Yams, sweet potatoes, carrots, butternut squash, hubbard squash, acorn squash, hot peppers, red peppers, pumpkin.
Fruit Sources of Vitamin A
Mango, peaches, nectarines, apricots, persimmon, cantaloupe, raw plantain, papaya, sour red cherry, pomegranates.
Seeing that you have put Yams and Squash on the list of food items, do these need to be cooked before feeding??
Any other foods that should be cooked as well??
Thanks :-)
Hi Natasha, as the article says, these items can be cooked to make them more digestible – not as soft as humans would eat them, but raw is pretty tough going, even for a tough parrot beak! :D Just remember not to overcook, as that takes all the good vitamins out of them. Steaming is always good, but if you do it in the microwave, be sure to let everything cool right down before serving anything!
Ok Thank You. I was just wondering because most of the fresh fruits and veges are suitable raw, but knowing that people shouldn’t really eat raw squash or potatoes, i just wanted to know if the raw ones would be harmful in any way.
Our love bird really likes raw sweet potato. We cut it into very thin slices that she can easily chomp on.
I found that when they won’t eat it… they will drink it. Some of my smaller birds are not fond of Carrots… but they Love CARROT juice.
If you have a juicer consider juicing for your parrots. or Find organic juices or smoothies. They may seem a bit expensive at first, but how many carrots does it take to make a cup of juice, probably quite a few.
Mine love their Carrot, Banana…etc juice.