Nutritional needs for birds

Are you familiar with the phrase "eating like a bird"? When it comes to feeding your companion avian, forget you ever heard it. With his high metabolic rate, your pet must eat a lot – and often – to remain in optimum health. A typical budgie, for example, may eat up to 20 small meals a day. While he takes care of the quantity, you'll need to ensure the quality with a well-balanced, varied diet appropriate for his species.

Pelleted food vs. seeds – Optimum bird food nutrition

Seed has been the traditional staple of the pet bird's diet, but most experts recommend pelleted food as the way to go. Seed mixes may offer variety for your bird, but they do not provide optimum nutrition, and are definitely on the messy side. Pelleted diets are formulated to be complete and balanced, and birds can't pick out their favorites. If you do plan to feed seed, you'll have to ensure that your pet gets the vitamins and minerals not found in seed mixes. Bird seed does not contain calcium, for example, so you'll need to provide a cuttlebone or mineral block.

Ask your veterinarian about additional supplements for your bird's species

If your pet has been eating a seed-based diet and you'd like to switch to pellets, it may take awhile for him to get used to them. Facilitate the change by mixing the pellets in with the seed mix. Little by little, decrease the amount of seed as you increase the amount of pellets.

Fresh vegetables and fruit are important in pet bird food

Be sure to offer fresh vegetables and fruits to your bird every day. Dark, leafy greens such as spinach and kale are packed with vitamins, and birds also enjoy broccoli, carrots and corn. Common fruity favorites include apples, pears, grapes, melon, mango and kiwi. Just be sure to wash everything first, and remove any uneaten foods after a couple of hours. If your bird seems resistant to any fresh food, try cutting it up in very small, seed-sized pieces. Do not give your bird avocado, cherry pits, rhubarb or apple seeds.

Fresh water – Only the best for your bird!

Don't forget that fresh, cold water should be available at all times. Change it at least once a day, preferably twice. Carefully consider the placement of perches in the cage so your bird cannot soil his drinking water.

Snacks and treats are delicious diversions, but should never be substituted for a basic diet. Most companion avians love a taste of whole-wheat or cornbread once or twice a week, and you can also offer small bits of chopped hard-boiled egg, low-fat yogurt and cooked pasta. Some birds find mealworms and waxworms tasty; you can purchase these at pet supply stores. Avoid foods that are high in fat, sugar or salt, and never offer your pet chocolate, alcohol or anything with caffeine.

Ensuring a proper diet for your bird is one of the most important things you can do as a responsible pet owner. It's also smart to keep an eye out for any symptoms of malnutrition. These include poor feather color, lethargy and a tendency to pull out feathers. Note any changes in your bird's appetite and weight gain or loss, which could indicate illness. If you think that your pet is sick, do not hesitate to contact your veterinarian.